“I remember sitting in my room and thinking how hard life could be. At a young age you feel the world is weighing on your shoulders.’
CRUELLY BULLIED IN SCHOOL
A finalist in the Miss Universe New Zealand pageant has killed herself at the age of 23.
Amber-Lee Friis had her whole life ahead of her, but the demons of the past took over.
The young woman from Auckland, who was half-Samoan from her father’s side, was bullied in school because of her appearance.
Classmates called her “Chimoan,” a racist term referring to her slanted eyes and tanned skin — a feature considered beautiful in the Miss Universe contest. She was 21 when she travelled to Thailand as part of the 2018 competition.
Amber-Lee’s home life as a child was one of neglect and alienation. Many nights there was no dinner on the table, she once confided.
Tributes are pouring in from her friends.
‘Rest In Peace Amber-Lee, you are so loved by so many people,’ one posted to Amber-Lee’s Facebook page.
‘Beautiful inside and out Amber!! Thank you for always being a genuinely kind and loving friend,’ wrote another.
‘Rest in peace you Beautiful girl, I cherish every moment I spent with you till we see each other again,’ another heartbroken friend wrote.
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