Emmanuelle “Emman” Atienza, a young Filipino influencer whose parents are famous in the Philippines, died by suicide last week in Los Angeles after suspected cyberbullying.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the 19-year-old daughter of TV presenter Kim Atienza and fitness guru Felicia Atienza died by ligature hanging at her residence Wednesday (Oct 22), per Deadline. The young Internet star relocated to Los Angeles this past summer.
“It’s with deep sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our daughter and sister, Emman,” her family wrote in a joint statement on Instagram.
“She brought so much joy, laughter, and love into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her. Emman had a way of making people feel seen and heard, and she wasn’t afraid to share her own journey with mental health. Her authenticity helped so many feel less alone.”
Emman’s loved ones requested that people “honour Emman’s memory” by endeavouring to “carry forward the qualities she lived by: compassion, courage, and a little extra kindness in your everyday life.”
Emman’s last post on the platform – where she was followed by 246,000 – was a Reel of a video she says “got restricted on [TikTok].”
It shows her standing with friends and cutting to moments traveling, skateboarding and occasionally flipping off the camera. She also shared a collection of old family photos earlier this month in a post “dedicated to my childhood and the zoo that raised me.”
Her TikTok following currently stands at 920,000, a 45,000-follower uptick since Deadline’s initial report early Friday (Oct 24).
Per the outlet, while she was candid about struggling with mental health, Emman’s digital persona also made a point of challenging the Philippines’ conservative standards and flaunting her wealth, which didn’t go over well amongst her fellow Filipinos.
In November 2024, Emman briefly stepped away from social media following backlash over a video showing her and friends playing a “guess the bill” game at a restaurant where the check totalled US$2,268 (RM9,560.71), a New York Post noted.
The post sparked criticism in the Philippines, where the average monthly wage is approximately US$794 (RM3,347.10)
Her death has also ignited speculation about whether she was ultimately influenced by cyberbullying. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/email sam@befrienders.org.my/befriender centres in malaysia).
