Emman Atienza, daughter of TV personality Kuya Kim Atienza, has addressed the backlash following her viral TikTok video. The now-deleted video featured her and friends guessing the total bill for a dinner, with guesses ranging from PHP 100,000 to PHP 150,000. The video quickly drew criticism from netizens, who accused Atienza of being unaware of her privilege as a “nepo baby”—a term used for someone who benefits from their family’s influence or fame.
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Clarifying the Joke and Who Paid the Bill
In response, Atienza posted another TikTok video clarifying the situation. She emphasized that the viral video was a joke among friends. “The video was a joke. I thought it was obvious because we were laughing,” she explained. Atienza further clarified that the dinner bill was actually paid by her friend’s agency, as it was her friend’s birthday celebration.
Despite the clarification, many criticized the video for being tone-deaf amid the economic struggles in the Philippines. Some called Atienza out for flaunting wealth in a country where many face financial difficulties.
In response, Atienza acknowledged her privileged status but expressed frustration at the public’s reaction. “Even if I had paid that much, it is our choice and our freedom to do what we want with money that we earned,” she stated.
@emmanatienza #stitch with @emmanuelle atienza ♬ Girls – The Dare
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Celebrities and Wealth: Why Target Me?
Atienza took issue with the way she was singled out. She noted that beloved celebrities, including Nadine Lustre and global stars like BTS and Taylor Swift, also enjoy immense wealth but do not face the same level of criticism. “Your favorite celebrities make more, have more, and spend more than I ever have,” Atienza stated.
Meanwhile, netizens voiced their support for Emman Atienza, echoing her sentiments about the toxic reactions online.
What’s your take on this issue? Let us know in the comments!
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