Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Kiriko Hayama (葉山 桐子, Hayama Kiriko, born 29 January 1993), known professionally as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Hiragana: きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ), is a Japanese tarento, singer, and model. Her public image is associated with Japan's kawaii and decora culture, centered in the Harajuku neighborhood of Tokyo.[2] Kyary's music is produced by musician Yasutaka Nakata of electronic music duo Capsule.
The native form of this personal name is Hayama Kiriko. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
- Singer
- model
Asobisystem
157 cm (5 ft 2 in)
Vocals
2010–present
Her 2011 single "PonPonPon" reached the top ten on Japan's Oricon music chart; the 2012 singles "Candy Candy" and "Fashion Monster" followed this success. Kyary has since released five full-length albums: Pamyu Pamyu Revolution (2012), Nanda Collection (2013), Pika Pika Fantajin (2014), Japamyu (2018), and Candy Racer (2021).
Though most of her success as a recording artist has been in Asia, she has also gained popularity in Western countries due in part to Internet videos which have gone viral.[3] Media outlets have referred to Kyary as a "Fashion Monster", and she has been photographed for magazines such as Dazed & Confused.[4] In 2013, she signed a distribution deal with Sire Records to release her material in the United States.[5]
As of February 2020, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has sold over 970,000 physical albums and singles in Japan as well as over 2.25 million downloads of her singles.[6][7]
Early life[edit]
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu was born in Nishitōkyō, Tokyo, Japan, in a traditional strict household. She started modeling and appearing as a junior idol when she was just 12 years old, using her real name, Kiriko Takemura. She writes in her autobiography, Oh! My God!! Harajuku Girl, that her father was more supportive of her, although they had their fair share of quarrels.[8]
Career[edit]
2009–2010: Career beginnings[edit]
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu started as a fashion blogger, and then began her professional career as a model for Harajuku fashion magazines such as Kera! and Zipper.[9]
Her stage name combines "Kyari" (acquired in school because she embraced Western culture and seemed "like a foreign girl"); she later added "Pamyu Pamyu" because it sounded cute.[10] She was inspired to sing by Yasutaka Nakata.[11]
2011–2012: Moshi Moshi Harajuku and Pamyu Pamyu Revolution[edit]
In April 2011 Kyary participated in the charity event "One Snap for Love" to benefit victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[12] In July, she released her first promo single, "PonPonPon", citing Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga as inspirations at that time.[13] The music video, a psychedelic tribute to kawaisa and Decora culture, was released to YouTube and became a viral hit.[14][15] "PonPonPon" entered Billboard Japan's Hot 100 chart at 72 on July 31, 2011.[16] Her debut EP, Moshi Moshi Harajuku, was released August 17, 2011,[17] followed a week later by her autobiography, Oh! My God!! Harajuku Girl.[18]
Personal life[edit]
On March 21, 2023, Kyary announced on social media that she married Japanese actor and Terrace House studio commentator Shono Hayama on an undisclosed date.[103][104]