Amanda Harkimo, a 35-year-old DJ, has opened up about her profound grief following the sudden death of her brother, Oliver Harkimo, who died from a seizure in July 2025. Despite having committed to participating in a reality TV show called 'Petolliset', which involves themes of death and featured coffins, Amanda initially grappled with whether to go through with the experience. She ultimately decided that engaging in the show might provide a needed distraction from her recent losses, including the death of her father, Roy Harkimo, from cancer earlier that year.

The filming for 'Petolliset' commenced in October 2025, and Amanda is one of 20 contestants slated to compete in this reality show beginning in March 2026. The year 2025 has been described by Amanda as incredibly challenging, marked by the loss of both her brother and father within a short span. She mentioned that participating in the show has offered her a rare opportunity to escape from the harsh realities of her life, as it was the first time in the past year that she was able to focus her mind on something other than her grief.

Amanda acknowledged that while the pain of losing her brother will never fully go away, the experience of filming the reality show has somewhat aided her healing process by allowing her to immerse herself in a different environment. Since her brother's death, Amanda has significantly reduced her DJ performances, only managing to complete four gigs. Her reflections highlight the deep emotional challenges that accompany loss and the coping mechanisms that can emerge from engaging in new experiences during times of sorrow.