Carol Acosta, a Dominican American woman who grew up amidst the hustle and bustle of a small, immigrant-dense neighborhood in Newark, endured relentless teasing about her weight. Her household was anything but tranquil; neighbors frequently overheard loud disputes emanating from the confines of her family's modest apartment. However, in the virtual realm, Ms. Acosta discovered a sanctuary where she could voice her struggles, leveraging her humor and innate self-assuredness to disseminate empowering messages against bullying to young women. Over time, she ascended to fame, becoming a beloved figure to her millions of online followers under the moniker "Killadamente."
Tragically, Ms. Acosta passed away on January 3rd, according to her sisters, Katherine and Katyan Acosta, who expressed uncertainty regarding the cause of her demise. Videos posted on a TikTok account believed to belong to Katyan Acosta hinted that her sister had experienced a sudden medical crisis and was rushed to a hospital. Ms. Acosta left behind two young children and was only 27 years old.
Despite her humble upbringing in and around Newark, where she single-handedly raised two children, Ms. Acosta's fame among the Dominican diaspora and beyond was unparalleled. Her music, impeccable fashion sense, and messages promoting self-love and body positivity earned her a cult-like following. These aspects of her celebrity were scarcely discernible from her seemingly ordinary life.
Rafaela Chaves, who moved into the apartment in Kearny, New Jersey, where Ms. Acosta had raised her daughters just north of Newark two and a half years ago, vividly recalled Ms. Acosta as she was moving out. She remembered Ms. Acosta packing boxes in her pajamas and apologizing for the mess as her toddler daughter ran around. Ms. Chaves didn't realize Ms. Acosta's fame until six months after moving in. "I had a few pieces of mail addressed to her that I gave to the landlord," said Ms. Chaves, 43. "He then informed me that she was a celebrated figure on Instagram." Even after Ms. Acosta's departure, Ms. Chaves continued to receive letters and exclusive offers from fashion houses eager to tap into Ms. Acosta's 6.7 million Instagram followers.
Those who knew Ms. Acosta before her meteoric rise as Killadamente recounted a stark contrast between her childhood and adult success. Evelyn Calle, a middle school friend, revealed that Ms. Acosta was incessantly bullied about her body size. However, it never seemed to faze her; she remained perpetually positive. Calle, now 25, recalled Ms. Acosta confidently predicting her future as an online influencer. Years later, Calle's prediction came true when she stumbled upon a viral video posted by Ms. Acosta on Instagram. "She achieved her dreams," Calle said. "I'm thrilled and proud of her."
Ms. Acosta wore multiple hats in the digital sphere. Sometimes, she presented herself as an activist, advocating against domestic violence. At other times, she showcased glamorous outfits from the retail brand Fashion Nova through her partnership with the company. She promoted weight-loss medications, discussed motherhood, and encouraged people to prioritize their mental health. She even dipped her toes into music, recording freestyle raps from her car or apartment. The title of her 2017 song encapsulated Killadamente's mantra: "Me Amo y No Me Importa," meaning, "I love myself, and I don't care."
Denise Mercedes, a Dominican American model, noted that content creators like Ms. Acosta have paved the way for public figures of diverse shapes and sizes, particularly within the online Latino community, to teach people to love themselves despite societal beauty standards. Ms. Acosta emphasized that self-love entails making decisions for one's happiness, Mercedes explained. It was this ideology, coupled with Ms. Acosta's use of Spanglish, that resonated with her vast audience.
Isra Ali, a media studies professor at New York University, differentiated Ms. Acosta from other high-profile influencers. Unlike models like Nara Smith, who portray a pristine domestic image online, Ms. Acosta's content depicted a more relatable, modest lifestyle that everyday people could comprehend, Ali said. "She refused to succumb to the pressure to assimilate," Ali remarked about Ms. Acosta. "Instead, she asserted her identity and used Spanish as a means to do so." Ali acknowledged that such an online persona might not appeal to all Americans but held significant sway among the Dominican diaspora—a community where individuals like Ms. Acosta could carve out a niche and wield considerable influence.
In the wake of her death, Ms. Acosta's family, friends, and followers flooded social media with tributes, wishing her eternal peace. Katherine Acosta honored her sister with heartfelt posts. "How can I bear this immense pain, sister? How can I fathom your absence?" one post read, adding, "You will forever shine in my heart as a beacon of light, and I will never forget you."
