Elizabeth Holmes, once hailed as the next Steve Jobs, made her debut in The Wall Street Journal in 2013. Editor Caitlin Roper at WIRED was intrigued by the prospect of individual health empowerment. Holmes’ performance during interviews was rehearsed and calculated, often leaving reporters puzzled.

The article, “One Drop, Infinite Data,” portrayed Holmes as a disruptor of healthcare, but the reality was different. The blood tests were a fraud, and the innovative tech never materialised. Despite this, WIRED and other publications fell for the hype, publishing profiles that validated the tech industry’s belief in Holmes' vision.

Looking back, the article raises questions about the media’s role in shaping public perception. Holmes’ board of directors, consisting of military figures and government officials, seemed odd, raising red flags among the editors. Yet, the allure of the story and the magazine's past credulity led to a story that, in hindsight, was too good to be true.

With a new documentary shedding light on Holmes’ rise and fall, WIRED reflects on its coverage, wondering whether the tech world’s rise to power came at the expense of journalistic integrity.