Hana Kimura, pro-wrestler and star of Netflix’s ‘Terrace House,’ dies at 22

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TOKYO — Hana Kimura, a pro wrestler and star of the popular Netflix reality TV show "Terrace House," has died at 22, news that shocked her many fans and raised immediate questions about cyberbullying and the ethics of subjecting young people to the harsh glare of reality television.

World Wonder Wing Stardom, a wrestling league Kimura was signed to, announced the news Saturday.

“Please be respectful and allow some time for things to process, and keep your thoughts and prayers with her family and friends,” it wrote on Twitter. “We appreciate your support during this difficult time.”

Kimura was a current cast member of “Terrace House Tokyo,” a show where six young people are thrown together in a house, their lives, interactions and attempts to date one another constantly filmed, scrutinized and judged by a panel of studio commentators and an army of online fans.

It makes for compelling television, but it is clear that some cast members occasionally struggle with those pressures.

Kimura’s last Instagram post showed a photo of herself with eyes downcast, with her cat.

“I love you, have a long, happy life. I’m sorry,” she wrote.

Several now deleted Twitter messages also showed images of slashed wrists, referring to hate messages on social media and saying she didn’t want to “be a human” anymore.

“Every day close to 100 blunt opinions. I couldn’t deny that I was hurt. ‘Die, you’re disgusting, disappear,’” she wrote. “I wanted to be loved in this life. Thank you to everyone close to me who supported me. I love you. Sorry for being weak.”

Kimura, with her pink hair and bubby personality, had been a star of the latest season of the popular show. Fearsome in the wrestling ring, she was innocent and charming off it, once holding a cushion in front of her face while talking to a fellow cast member she had a crush on.

Adam Pacitti, managing director of wrestling website Cultaholic, called her death “an absolute tragedy.”

“I hope this serves as a reminder that interactions on social media can have a serious effect on the mental health of anyone, no matter who they are. Be kind. RIP,” he wrote on Twitter.

Professional wrestler Karen Glennon, known as Session Moth Martina, posted she was “heartbroken” while Canadian wrestler Kylie Morgan called the news “absolutely heartbreaking.”

WWE wrestler Dakota Kai, whose real name is Cheree Crowley, also blamed cyberbullies.

“F bullies. Y’all need to wake up … these are REAL people. Not just characters in a TV show, movie or whatever. Tragic. RIP Hana. Gone too soon,” she tweeted.

Kimura was the daughter of successful female pro-wrestler Kyoko Kimura.

Filming of the latest season of Terrace House Tokyo was suspended in April due to the coronavirus.

Last year, two young South Korean K-pop singers, Sulli and Goo Hara, both appeared to commit suicide within just a few weeks of each other. Both had suffered vicious online attacks, and their deaths highlighted the intense pressures on young women in South Korea’s entertainment industry.

This story has been updated after original publication to revise an imprecise translation of Hana Kimura’s Twitter post.

In the United States the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress.

K-pop singer Sulli found dead in suspected suicide, highlighting mental health pressures

K-pop singer Goo Hara found dead, highlighting pressures on female stars

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