Did Ella Emhoff Have a Mental Breakdown? Kamala Harris’ Stepdaughter Addresses Rumors
4 min read
Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
Ella Emhoff, the stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has directly refuted recent rumors that she was hospitalized for a mental breakdown following the 2024 presidential election loss. Emhoff, a 25-year-old model and artist, addressed the speculation in an Instagram Story on Saturday, November 9, 2024, categorically denying any institutionalization and expressing frustration over the baseless claims. “Okay, I’m just gonna go out and say it. There’s a rumor about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true,” she wrote.
The rumors reportedly began circulating shortly after Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech on November 6, following Donald Trump’s election victory. In the days after, images of Emhoff appearing emotional at the event began to surface online. Some used the photos as “proof” to support unfounded claims that Emhoff had suffered a breakdown, leading her to clarify her well-being and push back against the rumor mill on social media.
Ella Emhoff’s Response and Message to Her Critics
In her Instagram post, Emhoff not only debunked the misinformation about her mental state but also condemned those perpetuating such rumors. She shared, “Also f**k you if you’re out there spreading that,” signaling her frustration over the spread of baseless narratives. Emhoff’s response highlights the challenges faced by public figures and their families, especially during emotionally charged events.
Say it louder for the people in the back, Ella!
— best of kamala harris (@archivekamala) November 9, 2024
🗣️🗣️🗣️ pic.twitter.com/KxLFpmaOn6
Emhoff’s mother, Kerstin Emhoff, also came forward on X (formerly Twitter) to support her daughter. She expressed frustration at what she saw as politically motivated attacks, posting, “More MAGA bs against my family. Leave my kids alone!!! Ella is doing great and spending a lovely day with her mom!” The senior Emhoff also defended her daughter’s emotional expression, calling it a sign of strength rather than weakness, emphasizing, “Having the ability to show emotion is something we should all hope for.”
Emhoff’s Thoughts on Mental Health and Emotional Expression
This isn’t the first time Ella Emhoff has publicly addressed her emotions or mental health. Following the election, she took to her Substack blog, Soft Crafts by Ella Emhoff, to share her thoughts on dealing with intense emotions. In a recent post titled “Soft Pins,” Emhoff discussed her emotional journey since the election results, describing feelings of “sadness, rage, and stress.” She wrote candidly, “I know I’ve gone through about 10 cycles of sadness, rage, and stress—and that was just this morning,” underscoring her commitment to embracing rather than suppressing difficult emotions.
In her Instagram Story, Emhoff echoed these sentiments, affirming, “There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying. Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry.” She also touched on her ongoing mental health journey, stating, “I’ve struggled with my mental health my whole life and I’m not ashamed of it.” This transparency on her part resonated with many followers, reflecting a commitment to normalizing conversations around mental health struggles.
Supportive Online Community
On her Substack, Emhoff expressed that she aims to foster a comforting, creative space within her community, especially for those dealing with similar feelings of emotional exhaustion. She encouraged followers to channel their emotions constructively, sharing that she often turns to creative projects as a way to process intense emotions. “I plan on making my crafting community a space where we can just relax and take our minds off things,” Emhoff assured her readers, promoting a message of collective healing.
Now she’s in tears. Funny, she didn’t shed a single one after October 7th—too busy crowdfunding terrorism. pic.twitter.com/GsCnNizzae
— Jews Fight Back 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@JewsFightBack) November 7, 2024
Through her public statements and posts, Emhoff continues to advocate for emotional transparency and self-care. By speaking openly about her mental health, she challenges the stigma often associated with it, reminding others that feeling and expressing emotions—even in public—is a sign of strength.
As the Emhoff family stands united against the rumor, Ella Emhoff’s openness offers an encouraging example of resilience and self-compassion, inspiring her followers to prioritize mental health amid challenging times.
- Also read: Johnny Somali Apologizes Amid Arrest Reports in South Korea, Faces Assault and Drug Charges
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
