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Bella Thorne Fought Blackmail by Releasing Own Nudes
5 Aug
Summary
- Actress Bella Thorne chose to release her own nude photos to preemptively combat blackmail.
- She stated that victim-blaming comments were more devastating than the blackmail itself.
- Thorne's actions aided the FBI in identifying and apprehending the suspect.
In 2019, actress Bella Thorne was targeted by a hacker who attempted to blackmail her with private nude photos. Thorne decided to preempt the blackmailer by releasing the images herself through a public Twitter post, asserting control over the situation. This bold move, however, led to significant backlash, with many accusing her of seeking attention or faking the incident.
Thorne described the victim-blaming comments as the most devastating aspect of the ordeal, stating they "really, really broke" her. She recalled filming an emotional Instagram story detailing her distress. Unexpectedly, the FBI contacted her, investigating the case. Thorne's cooperation and the data she provided, including screenshots of the blackmailer's communications, were instrumental.
The FBI identified the suspect by matching his distinctive writing style to the shared evidence. Thorne highlighted that without her decision to release the screenshots, the investigation might have been delayed or unsuccessful. The FBI's subsequent investigation confirmed the suspect's identity and modus operandi, leading to his apprehension.
