MMA’s Angela Lee Slams Online Bullying after Hana’s Death

Jun 2, 2020 | AA, Japan, NEWS, Trending

by AFP

MMA fighter Angela Lee warned that harsh words can “destroy” lives

MMA fighter Angela Lee urged social media users to “think twice before you speak” after the death of a young wrestler and TV star who was targeted by online abuse.

Lee, the ONE Championship atomweight title-holder, said she wished she’d been able to help Hana Kimura, who appeared in Japanese reality show “Terrace House” on Netflix.

Kimura, 22, died last month in an apparent suicide, prompting calls in Japan for tougher measures against cyberbullying.

“Constantly being in the public eye will put a lot of pressure on anyone,” wrote Lee, 23, on Instagram.

“Now add people’s judgements, criticism, ignorant comments, hateful comments… That’s enough to push anyone over the edge.” 

View this post on Instagram

Hey guys, I know there's a lot going on in the world right now, but today I wanted to talk about something serious that recently happened in Japan.⁣ ⁣ There was a young girl, who was very successful. She was a pro wrestler and a tv star and just last week, she took her own life. Her name was Hana Kimura and she was 22 years old, just a year younger then me. ⁣ ⁣ Constantly being in the public eye, will put a lot of pressure on anyone. Now add people's judgements, criticism, ignorant comments, hateful comments... That's enough to push anyone over the edge. A strong and positive mindset is so important to have. And even when you're in a good place, notifications, messages and comments can pop up and put you right back into that dark place. ⁣ ⁣ "Just ignore them" ⁣ "They mean nothing to you" ⁣ "Be bigger than that" ⁣ "Stay positive"⁣ It's much easier said than done. ⁣ Because sometimes, you try for so long. To stay positive for so long. That one little thing, can push you over the edge. ⁣ I feel for Hana Kimura. ⁣ I wish I could've helped. ⁣ ⁣ I don't understand why people feel the need to spread negativity and ill wishes to another person, whom they have never even met. Your words can uplift and heal someone but they can also knock down and destroy someone. Please, think twice before you speak. It could save someone's life. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🛑 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 #𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 #𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 ⁣ ♥️ 𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙏 𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙀𝘼𝘾𝙀 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙆𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙧𝙖 #𝙍𝙄𝙇 @hanadayo0903

A post shared by Angela Lee Pucci (@angelaleemma) on

Lee, who is of Korean and Singaporean descent, warned that harsh words can “destroy” lives, and said everyone needs to be careful when posting online.

“I don’t understand why people feel the need to spread negativity and ill wishes to another person, whom they have never even met,” she wrote.

“Your words can uplift and heal someone but they can also knock down and destroy someone. Please, think twice before you speak. It could save someone’s life.”

Kimura’s last post on Instagram was a picture of herself and a cat with the message: “I love you, have a long, happy life. I’m sorry.”

In South Korea, cyberbullying made headlines last year when two female K-pop stars committed suicide after facing online attacks.