Social media personality Emman Atienza, the youngest daughter of Kapuso host Kim Atienza, opened up about her emotional healing journey and childhood traumas in a candid interview on ‘Toni Talks.’
Known for her bubbly and outspoken presence on TikTok, Emman shared her struggles with abuse, self-doubt, and the steps she’s taken to overcome them.
Emman revealed that her childhood was marred by physical and verbal abuse from a nanny.
“She’d always insult me and call me stupid,” she recalled. The experience left her with a deep sense of paranoia, to the point where she struggled to stay alone in a room.
Her healing began at the age of 14 when she sought professional help. Therapy not only helped her confront her trauma but also allowed her parents to fully understand what she had gone through.
Despite her progress, Emman admitted that the recent ‘Guess the Bill?’ challenge controversy on TikTok triggered her past wounds.
She cried for days and questioned herself and said, “I have done so much to heal from my past experiences. I had done so much to remind myself how I am a good person. I deserve good karma that’s coming towards me now these past few months, and that kind of made me question myself.”
Determined not to let negativity define her, Emman turned to self-affirmation and leaned on her passion for TikTok as a form of therapy.
“When I started doing TikTok, I realized that people actually want to hear what I have to say. They want to hear about me, they’re interested in me. They actually care about me; it helped me realize the value and the things I can contribute to this world,” she said.
Her father, Kuya Kim, also offered sage advice to help her weather the storm of public criticism.
“Don’t let it affect you; you cannot control that. What you can control is how you digest and manage it. So, do what you can to make sure it doesn’t get to you, and after a while, it will pass,” he told her.
At the end of her interview, Emman reflected on her journey and the lessons she has learned about herself.
“I am loving, loud, bubbly, happy, outgoing, and I am unapologetically myself,” she said.
She also emphasized the power of love in overcoming challenges.
“I think what’s healing me is finding things that I love. I think love is the only thing stronger than hate,” she concluded.
With a growing audience on TikTok, Emman is using her platform to inspire others through her authenticity and openness.
