The Untold Truth Behind Orange Is The New Black That Will Shock You!

Summary

Orange Is the New Black is based on a memoir by Piper Kerman, who was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering with her ex-girlfriend.

The show deviates from the actual events, fabricating numerous details and inmate relationships.

Following her release from prison, Piper Kerman, also known as the real-life Piper Chapman, has actively campaigned for women's rights and prison reform.

Orange Is the New Black, a Netflix sensation created by Jenji Kohan, draws inspiration from a true story. Premiering in 2013, the series introduces Piper Chapman (played by Taylor Schilling), a woman sentenced to Litchfield Penitentiary for her involvement in a drug-smuggling scheme with her ex-girlfriend, Alex (Laura Prepon). Piper's 15-month jail sentence unexpectedly reunites her with Alex, the catalyst for her imprisonment.

While Piper serves as a prominent character, Orange Is the New Black boasts an ensemble cast comprising female inmates, prison staff, and loved ones from diverse backgrounds. Piper Chapman is loosely based on Piper Kerman, the author of the 2010 memoir Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. This memoir recounts Kerman's personal experience in a real-life correctional facility and served as the foundation for the show's narrative. Throughout its seven-season run, the series incorporates certain adaptations to enhance the on-screen storytelling.

Orange Is The New Black Is Based On A True Story

What Orange Is The New Black Changes From The Real-Life Story

: The inspiration behind Orange Is the New Black originates from Kerman's autobiography. In the memoir, she recounts real-life experiences, particularly the consequences of becoming involved in drug trafficking and money laundering alongside her former partner. While she willingly handled money transactions, she ultimately refused to partake in drug-related activities, leading to her separation from both her girlfriend and the criminal organization. Subsequently, Kerman endeavored to rebuild her life, only to find herself sentenced to 15 months in prison for her previous offenses six years later. The remaining sections of the book delve into the transformative impact prison had on her life. The positive reception of her novel eventually led to its adaptation as a Netflix series.

Orange Is the New Black, which aired for seven years, deviated from the original material over time. Despite being based on a true story, many of the elements in Orange is the New Black were fabricated. In reality, Piper did develop feelings for a woman involved in a drug ring, which ultimately landed her in prison. The show heavily focuses on Piper's reunion with her former girlfriend while incarcerated. However, according to TV Time, the real Piper and her ex were not imprisoned together like their counterparts in Orange Is the New Black. They only crossed paths during their trial.

Content was embellished for the show, portraying Piper constantly feuding with other inmates. However, in reality, Kerman found the inmates to be incredibly welcoming and some of them inspired characters in the show. For instance, a transgender woman named Vanessa influenced the character of Sophia, while a maternal figure referred to as Pop became Red.

Both versions of Piper were sentenced to 15 months in prison, but Kerman served only 13 months due to good behavior. Despite the show lasting seven seasons, both real and fictional Piper spent about a year in prison. Nevertheless, it is evident that prison had a transformative effect on Piper. In the series finale, it is revealed that she has started taking civil procedure courses. Similarly, after her release, Kerman became a passionate advocate for women's rights in the American prison system. Both versions of Piper underwent a life-changing experience in prison and used it to improve the lives of other women.

What The Real Piper Chapman Is Up To Today

Piper Kerman's actual experience was rather remarkable, although it wasn't quite as thrilling as depicted in Orange Is the New Black. The romantic encounters, adversaries, and other events were exaggerated for the Netflix series. Nevertheless, despite the alterations made for the screen adaptation, both the fictional and real Piper convey the same important message — the urgent need for extensive reforms within women's prisons in the United States.

For those intrigued by the authentic presence of Piper Chapman in Orange is the New Black, they need not look further. Since the show is based on Piper Kerman's actual experiences, she made two appearances in the series to mirror the events of her life. In the opening credits, she is showcased among the incarcerated women. Additionally, she has a cameo in the series finale, where she portrays an inmate who is visited by her real-life husband. In the final prison scene, as Piper visits Alex, Kerman can be spotted just two seats away from her.

Prior to the show's debut, Piper Kerman actively championed women's rights and advocated for prison reform. Not only has she addressed numerous prison reform hearings on behalf of incarcerated women, but she has also established herself as a respected writer and educator. Kerman has been invited as a guest speaker and lecturer at various universities across the United States. Additionally, she has taught creative writing classes within different women's prisons in Ohio. Utilizing her expertise in effective communication, Kerman now dedicates her efforts to working with non-profit organizations as a contracted communication strategist.

More Truth-Inspired Netflix Original Shows To Check Out

Catherine Cleary Wolters serves as the real-life inspiration for the character of Alex Vause, albeit using a pseudonym in Piper Kerman's memoir. Following the widespread popularity of Orange is the New Black, Wolters' true identity became known, leading to a surge of attention. In response, Wolters shared her own account in a memoir called Out Of Orange, which delved into the disparities between reality and fiction portrayed in the story. While her memoir was published in 2015, Wolters has largely maintained a low profile since the conclusion of Orange is the New Black in 2019.

For those looking for real-life-inspired stories on Netflix since there won't be an eighth season of Orange Is the New Black, Mindhunter is a top choice. This gripping series depicts the inception of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. Holden Ford and Bill Tench, portrayed by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, embark on a nationwide journey, interviewing imprisoned serial killers and high-profile murderers to develop a groundbreaking method of psychoanalysis. Their ultimate goal is to aid in solving future crimes.

Unbelievable is an enthralling crime narrative featuring the compelling performances of Toni Collette and Merritt Wever as two detectives striving to unravel a rape case in which the victim (Kaitlyn Dever) has retracted her testimony. Additionally, Netflix offers other series based on real-life events including Narcos, showcasing the emergence of the Colombian cocaine trade during the 1980s, and The Crown, which chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Despite their varied subjects and tones, each of these series effectively portrays their factually-inspired narratives on the screen, much like Orange Is the New Black.