Kyle Echarri responds to criticism for ‘welcoming’ Bela Padilla as ‘new Bela’ in the family
Kyle Echarri faced backlash after seemingly comparing actress Bela Padilla to his deceased 12-year-old sister Bella, in an Instagram post.
The issue was rooted in a post featuring Bela spending the holidays with Echarri and his family in Cebu.
In the caption, Echarri wrote, "Happy birthday Jesus Christ. From mi Pamilya and our new 'Bela' in the family," drawing criticism for seemingly equating Bela with his deceased sister.
However, the caption sparked controversy among some social media users who interpreted it as suggesting he was "replacing" his sister with the actress.
"No Bella in this world can replace your sister. What do you mean your new Bella in the family? The caption is so wrong," one user commented.
Another said, "Isang taon mahigit pa lang namamatay kapatid mo pinalitan mo na agad. Tandaan mo boy ang kapatid hinding hindi mapapalitan ng kahit sinong tao sa mundo, nag-iisa lang 'yan. Napakabilis ninyo palitan si Bella ng dahil sa taong kelan lang ninyo nakilala at ngayon lang nakasama ng mga magulang mo."
In a statement on his X account, Kyle said that he wanted to ignore the criticisms over his caption but couldn't turn a blind eye towards the insults hurled at his family.
"I was gonna stay quiet since it’s Christmas and we should be ending the year on a good note. Say all you want or think about me, bahala na kayo diyan. Pero 'wag na 'wag mong idamay yung pamilya ko lalo na 'yung kapatid kong anghel na si Bella," the actor warned.
"Question whatever you want about me but never question the love me and my family have for Bella," he added.
He called on his bashers to change their behavior towards others.
"Please… patapos na yung taon… kakatapos lang ng Pasko… Masaya ka sa buhay mong ganyan ka magsalita sa buhay ng iba?" he said.
"Sorry guys, y'all know I don’t care what anyone says about me… honestly. Pero 'pag nadamay po pamilya ko, 'di ko lang kaya manahimik. Again loves, no need to say anything na, please just enjoy the holidays. We all deserve that after this long year," he ended.
Question whatever you want about me but never question the love me and my family have for Bella. Tsaka please… patapos na yung taon… kakatapos lang ng pasko… Masaya ka sa buhay mong ganyan ka magsalita sa buhay ng iba? Happy new years mwah mwah
— Kyle Echarri (@kyle_echarri) December 27, 2024
In the comments section, many of his fans expressed their support for him and advised him to pay no heed to his bashers.
"It's sad that you have to go out of your way to address something like this during a well-deserved break, but just know na mas madami pa din ang nagmamahal at sumusuporta sayo wholeheartedly," one user wrote.
Another said, "Nakakalungkot. Ang dami kasing mga fans na parang pag-aari na nila ang mga artista para sila ang mag desisyon kung sino o kung ano ang dapat nilang gawin."
Kyle confirmed the passing of his sister in April 2023. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but she kept it a secret from her brother at first because she didn’t want him to "get stressed" while he was working.
