Miyako of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender, previously known in the industry as Miya Cech, has recently opened up about a deeply personal and painful chapter of her life. She is best known for portraying Toph Beifong in the live-action adaptation of the popular animated series.
In a video shared on her social media, the 19-year-old actress addressed growing speculation around her name change and her decision to step away from her family. She said both instances are closely linked.
Confirming that she now goes by the name Miyako professionally and personally, she described the change as a deliberate step to reclaim her identity and move on from her past.
@theofficialmiyako I appreciate yall sm, just thought I'd share. 🫶🏻
♬ original sound - Miyako
Miyako Details 'Toxic' Family Situation
In her video, Miyako spoke about what she described as a 'conservatorship-type situation' within her family. She said she felt financially restricted from a young age and used the term 'financially disabled' to explain how she experienced control over her earnings.
She alleged that she did not have access to money she earned through her acting work. According to her, a significant portion of her pay was diverted into accounts she could not control.
'In Avatar, we did 14 episodes. That was two seasons and I only walked away with one episode's worth,' Miyako explained.
She also referenced her child actor trust fund, commonly known as a Coogan fund, saying she was reportedly made to sign away access when she turned 18 without fully realising at the time.
Miyako also claimed she experienced severe mistreatment, stating: 'I was being abused and drugged.' However, she did not go into explicit detail.
The young actress added that she had to take legal steps for her safety in Canada. This includes obtaining a restraining order due to alleged stalking and tracking by a family member.
She said her mental and emotional wellbeing during those years was severely affected. 'I was so anxious that it was going to affect my work ... I was just like in such a negative, horrible place,' Miyako stated.
Unexpected Lifeline From a Co-Star
Miyako also spoke about a castmate from Avatar: The Last Airbender, whom she did not name. She expressed deep gratitude for their support during a critical time in her life, saying the person played a major role in helping her leave what she described as a toxic environment.
According to Miyako, the castmate helped arrange housing in Vancouver so she could live away from her family situation while filming, even covering costs personally.
She said the support extended even beyond that, describing the castmate and their family as consistent sources of care and stability. 'I wouldn't be here with you guys today to celebrate Avatar ... if it was not for this castmate ... I am so grateful ... You know who you are,' Miyako said in her video.
Miyako ended her message by directly asking fans and the public to respect her chosen name. She acknowledged that confusion may still exist online due to older credits and listings, but reiterated that she wants 'Miyako' to be used moving forward.
Inside Her Role in Netflix's Avatar Adaptation
Miyako is widely recognised for her role as Toph in Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Her portrayal of the beloved Earthbender character introduced her to a global audience and remains one of her most notable performances to date.
As the series continues to gain viewership, Miyako's recent revelations have added a new layer of public interest in her journey off-screen. While she remains focused on her career, her message makes it clear she is also working to redefine her identity and personal boundaries on her own terms.
