In the latest episode of Toni Talks, Emman Atienza opens up about her mental health struggles due to her painful childhood and what she wants older generations to understand about Gen Z individuals like her.

“Definitely, in the more recent generations, we’ve been more outspoken because we have a platform to be outspoken on social media has definitely become a huge thing in younger generations,” Emman said.

“And so, a lot of people who were talking about me, commenting on me, all these different things about me. They didn’t really know who I was,” she continued.

For context, the controversy that Emman Atienza was referring to was the now-deleted TikTok video that she and her friends shared participating in the trend ‘Guess the Bill Challenge.’

For context, the challenge was for each of the participants to take turns guessing the total amount on their bill, and whoever was the closest was meant to pay. Emman and her friends’ bill was eventually revealed to be ₱133,423.99.

@bnc.ph TRENDING: Emman Atienza, daughter of TV personality Kim Atienza, addressed her viral TikTok video of a "Guess the Bill" challenge with friends. She initially faced criticism for the video, in which she and her friends guessed their bill at a Japanese fine-dining restaurant, totaling over ₱100,000, which she explains was actually a joke. Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Gravidez, who had the closest estimate, clarified the post was satire and they were simply "hopping on the trend." Gravidez added, "I didn’t pay for anything. I can’t afford, and I will never spend an amount like that for a dinner." 📹 Emman Atienza #trending #viral #GuessTheBill #challenge #fyp ♬ original sound – Bilyonaryo News Channel – bnc.ph

The TikTok video drew backlash on social media, where netizens criticized it as ‘tone deaf.’ Emman Atienza clarified that the video was a joke, and she and her friends didn’t actually pay for the bill.

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But, the issue blew out of proportion where people online commented hate on Emman Atienza and her family, calling her a ‘nepo baby.’ At one point, Emman Atienza became number one trending on Philippine Twitter.

When Toni Gonzaga asked what was the worst comment Emman read, she said: “I was privileged, insensitive, rich kid, ignorant, useless, disappointment, ugly.”

“Some people even told me to commit suicide, kill yourself,” she added.

@killakushla

u can agree or disagree just wanted to offer a different perspective 🙂

♬ original sound  – killakushla

Emman Atienza didn’t tell her parents about the backlash but realized it was a mistake. The hate that she kept getting online affected her mental health, and she started seeing a therapist again.

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Emman Atienza then shared her previous experience where she had to seek professional health at 13 because her mental health hindered her ability to function daily. She also talked about how she used to cut herself as a negative coping mechanism.

With this, Toni Gonzaga said, “Well, it was a bad way of thinking that that’s how it solves the problem. But it is a terrible way of thinking that hurting yourself will release you of the inner pain you’re feeling.”

Emman Atienza then shared how she experienced verbal and physical abuse from her childhood ‘yaya’ or nanny. She then shared how that trauma affected her growing up. Although she has processed what she went through, it affected how she interacted with people.

 Emman Atienza felt the TikTok controversy brought her back to her past experiences. To deal with the backlash, she had to give herself pep talks to stop negative thoughts, “I told myself you’re so worth it. You have worked so hard to get to this point. You’re so happy with yourself, and you can express yourself really. You’re not gonna be letting these people…do the same thing to you.”

“You need to break the cycle of constantly letting other people bring you down,” she added.

When Toni asked what Emman thinks is helping her in her healing journey right now, the influencer replied, “I think what’s healing me is finding things that I love. I think love is the only thing stronger than hate.” 

You can watch the entire episode here: 

Discover more about how Emman Atienza navigated her mental health and the controversy:

How has Emman Atienza’s story reshaped discussions around the term “nepo baby” and the role of privilege?

Being labeled a nepo baby due to her family background, Emman Atienza faced criticism that assumed her success was solely due to privilege. However, her openness about childhood abuse and her struggles with mental health shed light on how privilege doesn’t exempt individuals from personal hardships. Her story challenges the stereotype of a nepo baby, offering a more nuanced understanding of how fame, privilege, and personal struggles intersect in shaping one’s life and choices.

What role did Emman Atienza’s childhood experiences play in shaping her response to the viral TikTok backlash?

Emman Atienza’s childhood trauma, including verbal and physical abuse from a nanny, contributed to her emotional resilience and vulnerability. When the Emman Atienza guess the bill post went viral and received backlash, those past experiences resurfaced, intensifying her mental health struggles. However, her ability to confront and share these experiences has allowed her to turn pain into advocacy, fostering awareness about the long-term impact of childhood trauma.

How can influencers like Emman Atienza use their platforms to promote positive change after public controversies?

Influencers like Emman Atienza can turn controversies into opportunities for growth by acknowledging mistakes and using their platforms to spread awareness. After the Emman Atienza viral TikTok backlash, she shifted the narrative by sharing her personal challenges, including her history of depression and abuse. This approach not only humanizes public figures but also encourages responsible social media usage and supports initiatives that prioritize mental health and empathy.

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