The 31-year-old social media influencer Emily Mariko announced her pregnancy through a wholesome Christmas-themed video on her TikTok and Instagram on 24 December.
The content creator, known for her food, fashion, and vlogging videos, shared a post to her 12.7 million TikTok followers and 1.7 million Instagram followers on Christmas Eve of 2023.
The short clip shows Mariko wearing a comfortable sweater and leggings, as she walks past a Christmas tree and into her living room while clutching onto multiple Christmas stockings with which she would decorate the fireplace.
The vlogger places a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa, and then goes on to hang the stockings above the mantle. Mariko hung two standard-sized stockings—possibly one for herself and one for her husband, Matt Rickard— and then added a third tiny stocking that was the ideal size for a baby.
Following the installation of the celebratory decor, Mariko, who gained popularity for her viral leftover salmon rice bowl, was captured by the panning camera as she grinned broadly with her hands on her cheeks with excitement while sitting on the ground.
There was no music throughout the simple announcement, and she did not provide a caption. That didn’t stop her fans from sharing their enthusiasm and excitement as they figured out the obvious message hidden behind her Christmas decorations.
One person commented on the Instagram post, “This is the best baby reveal ever,” while another fan wrote on her Tiktok, “When I saw that third hook I just knew!!!! Congratulations Emily!!! What a beautiful Christmas gift!!!!”
The clip has received more than 5 million views on her Tiktok, and crossed 3 million views on her Instagram, combining to almost a million likes between the two platforms.
Marriage with Matt Rickard
In August 2023, Mariko and her longtime partner Matt Rickard exchanged vows in the Wayfarer’s Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, which served as the venue for their wedding.
A big white floral arrangement hung from the venue’s ceiling as the 31-year-old walked down the aisle on her big day. Mariko looked stunning in a train-length, strapless A-line gown by Mirror Palais, while her bridesmaids wore brown outfits for the ceremony.
Following the exchange of “I do”, the outdoor celebration carried on the white floral motif with white tablecloths, white rose-filled vases, and string lights. In addition to charcuterie and a seafood bar with oysters and crab, visitors enjoyed a complete cocktail bar in a barn area during cocktail hour.
At night, the bride had changed into stiletto shoes and a white, strapless mini-dress with a white flower accent, and they had prime rib and grilled fish along with potatoes for dinner.
There was also an In-N-Out Burger truck at the location later in the evening, just in case anyone worked up an appetite while dancing throughout the celebration. Mariko and Rickard partied with their friends and family while donning matching In-N-Out hats.
Who is Emily Mariko?
Social media celebrity Emily Mariko is well-known for sharing cooking videos on her well-liked TikTok channel, which has amassed over 12 million followers. She started her social media career by sharing hauls, skincare tips, and style videos on her own YouTube channel.
In 2019, her most popular YouTube video became “5 Types of Underwear Every Girl Needs (REAL TALK)!!” A September 2021 TikTok video of her making a leftover salmon bowl went viral and now has over 40 million views. In the video, she combined baked salmon with Japanese mayo, sriracha, soy sauce, and sushi rice.
She is born half-American and half-Japanese and has studied neurobiology at Columbia University. In October 2021, she announced her engagement to Matt Rickard on TikTok, sharing a video of their proposal.
Although her presence is huge on social media, she likes to keep her personal life private, and has chosen not to disclose the names of her friends and family, even while she has posted multiple pictures with them on various platforms.
