In less than a month, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has gained worldwide attention as she settles into a life of freedom and fame. This unlikely superstar has become the center of media recognition, gaining more than 9 million followers on TikTok and over 8 million followers on instagram. Yet, beneath Blanchard’s rise to popularity is a dark and painful story that shocked the nation 8 years ago.

In 2016, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was sentenced to prison for her involvement in the murder of her abusive mother, Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard. According to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, she was abused by her mother due to Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental illness in which the caretaker makes a child appear ill by making up or causing real symptoms, for attention. 

Throughout her life, Gypsy Rose underwent serious medical procedures to “cure” illnesses that didn’t actually exist, such as Leukemia and muscular dystrophy. Moreover, she was forced to use a wheelchair, feeding tube, and oxygen tank, thus diminishing her quality of life.

While in prison, Gypsy’s story gained mass attention after the release of the Hulu series “The Act”. Starring Joey King, this show depicts the true events in Blanchard’s life, portraying the disturbing relationship between Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose. This docuseries sent the internet into a frenzy, as #Free Gypsy Rose became a popular trend across social media platforms.

8 years later, Gypsy Rose excitedly says “I am finally free” on her first TikTok post, setting the precedent for a wave of love and support. To everyone’s surprise, Gypsy jumps right into the world of the media within two weeks of her release by posting TikTok videos and Instagram posts. In addition, she attended a red carpet event for her recent Lifetime documentary “The Prison Confessions-Gypsy Rose”. 

Many people believe that it is ill-advised for Gypsy Rose to be active on social media, as it is “too soon” considering all the trauma she has endured. This is definitely a valid concern, considering that social media exposes people to harassment and cyberbullying. Yet others believe that Gypsy Rose should be able to unapologetically live her life after a life of imprisonment. 

Nevertheless, Gypsy Rose Blanchard has endured horrors beyond imaginable, a life that many of us can never truly comprehend. Despite the adversities, Gypsy Rose is determined to use her platform to spread awareness about issues that plague our society, as she hopes that her story serves as a “cautionary tale” for others.