Yumi Nu
September 23, 1996
- Model
- Singer-songwriter
2010–present
- Rocky Aoki (grandfather)
- Steve Aoki (uncle)
- Devon Aoki (aunt)
5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Brown
Brown
The Society Management (New York)
Wilhelmina Models (Los Angeles)
Early life[edit]
Nu was born in Englewood, New Jersey,[1] on September 23, 1996. She is of Japanese and Dutch descent. Her mother, Kana Grace Nootenboom, is the daughter of Rocky Aoki, the founder of the Benihana restaurant chain.[2] Her mother modeled and brought Nu to participate in shoots as an infant.[3] Nu is the niece of Devon Aoki and Steve Aoki.[4]
Nu's family moved from New Jersey to Maryland when she was seven years old.[1] She has stated that she was one of two students of Asian-American descent in her school, and experienced racism while living in Maryland. When she was 14 years old, her family moved to Newport Beach, California.[5]
Career[edit]
Nu began modeling in 2010.[6] She began practicing songwriting at the age of 12, and wrote her first song in 2016. Nu released an extended play (EP) in June 2019.[7] Nu is signed to her uncle's record label, Dim Mak Records.[6]
Nu created Blueki, a plus-size clothing line.[8] She was on the cover of the American and Japanese editions of Vogue in 2021,[6][9] and also appeared in British Vogue.[3] Nu made her debut appearance in Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue in 2021, becoming the first Asian plus-size model to appear.[10] Nu was one of the cover models for the Swimsuit Issue in 2022,[11] and released her second EP, Hajime, in May 2022.[12][13] She was also invited to the White House's celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2022.[14]
Personal life[edit]
Nu resides in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.[1] Her younger sister, Natalie Nootenboom, is also a model.[1]