International sensation Anna Aya has emerged as a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, and we were honoured to be able to interview her about all things music. This multi-talented artist recognised for her roles as a singer; a model for elite brands such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior; an accomplished actor; and a polyglot with proficiency in Japanese, Armenian, and English, has set the stage on fire with her debut single, “Someone Else”. This music venture includes a captivating music video, featuring partnerships with renowned brands like Fendi and Christian Louboutin, underscoring her stature in the industry.
Anna Aya’s debut single and its accompanying video, boasting bilingual verses in Japanese and English, premiered on July 26, 2023, showcasing her global appeal. The single was crafted by an impressive team, with GRAMMY Award-nominated multi-platinum producer Louis Bell (known for work with Post Malone, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello, and Halsey) and six-time Japan Gold Disc Winner, multi-platinum producer Michael Africk (recognised for his contributions to Mai Kuraki, Zard, and Jordan Knight).
The “Someone Else” video, directed by Gabriel Roth and Alex Ross and produced by Handcraft Entertainment and Paper Anvil, received support from fashion powerhouses Fendi, Christian Louboutin, and Acca. Anna Aya’s journey to stardom was marked by a life split between Japan and Los Angeles, where she graced the pages of prestigious magazines like Vivi and 25ans and modelled for iconic fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton. Her versatility extended to print campaigns and commercials for well-known brands, including American Girl Doll, AT&T, Children’s Place, Ford, Samsung, Target, and more.
Anna Aya’s remarkable linguistic prowess not only enabled her to serve as a translator on Steve Harvey’s “Little Big Shots” but also earned her recognition as a season regular and host on the show. Additionally, Ellen DeGeneres sought her out as a translator for Japanese guests due to her native fluency. Anna Aya’s journey is a testament to her remarkable talent and global influence in the entertainment world.
With such a prolific backstory that showcases her professionalism and hard-working attitude, we were excited to be able to interview Anna Aya and discuss with her the release of her debut single and music video, “Someone Else”, while also asking questions about her career to date and what else we can expect from her, in the future.
Congratulations on the release of your debut single “Someone Else”! Can you share the inspiration behind the song and how it feels to finally share your music with the world?
I am really excited to share my first single “Someone Else” with the world and it was important for me to put out a song that encourages others to realize their self-worth and to take care of themselves and their heart first…because there is always someone else that will respect them
Your debut single features both Japanese and English verses, showcasing your multi-lingual talent. How do these languages help you express different emotions and connect with a broader audience?
I think that the actual sounds of the verses are what are different and evoke different emotions. The English verses that I sing in “Someone Else” are a bit stronger in sound and delivery due to the English dialect and the Japanese verses are softer simply because the language is more delicate. I think that it will connect to many audiences and really make people curious as to what the words mean and how different the song is from anything else out there.
Collaborating with GRAMMY Award-nominated producer Louis Bell and multi-platinum producer Michael Africk is impressive. How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with such accomplished producers on your first single?
The collaboration came about when I was introduced to Michael Africk, who has been a popular artist as well as a producer and entrepreneur in Japan. Michael has produced other Japanese artists and sold over 20 million records. With all of his success, he knew that we would lead the J-Pop explosion and when we spoke, I realized what an exciting path that would be for me. Through Michael, I met multi-platinum producer Lewis Bell and the three of us recorded the song. The rest is history!
The music video for “Someone Else” partners with renowned brands like Fendi, Christian Louboutin, and Acca. Can you tell us more about the creative vision behind the video and how these partnerships enhanced the visual storytelling?
Well, I have modeled for all of these brands as well as a number of other couture brands, so it was a natural step to integrate the lyrics and mood of the song with the clothing that is present in both my work and personal life. I have such a love for fashion and beauty and to be able to combine the two with my music was a natural fit and I loved doing it! It definitely helps me to express my feelings and also helps me to be able to transform my mood depending on what I might be wearing!
You have a background as an international singer, model, and actor. How do these different facets of your career influence and complement each other, especially in the context of your music?
That is a great question! I think that the discipline that one has to have to be a singer, model, actor and dancer is what has helped me navigate each and every path. They all come naturally to me as I have been doing this since I was six….so every day is a new experience and I enjoy bringing aspects of each into whatever I am doing that day. My dancing is definitely connected to how I move, the beat, the genre, the language etc. One feeds off of the other.
You’ve modelled for prestigious fashion houses like Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. How does your experience in the fashion industry influence your music and artistic expression?
I think that my experience in the fashion industry has helped me understand how different looks help to emote different emotions in both myself and others. I really focus on that every day especially whenever I am on the red carpet, in order to help people understand who I am and a little bit about my personality. I have always been a fan of pink (even before the Barbie craze) it is something that I have worn since I was a young girl and captures all of my playfulness, my femininity and my girl power! Fashion has played a big part in expressing who I am!
Growing up between Japan and Los Angeles, you’re fluent in Japanese, Armenian, and English. How has your diverse linguistic background enriched your creative process and enabled you to connect with a global audience?
I think that I have been lucky enough to be exposed to many cultures because of my parents, which is something that a lot of people around the world share. At home, I speak Japanese with my mother, Armenian with my father, and we speak English as a family. I think that people are both curious and can relate to that background, whether they share the same heritage as me or if they have a different combination of nationalities, beliefs or religions.
You’ve worked as a translator on TV shows like “Little Big Shots” and even caught Ellen DeGeneres’ attention for your language skills. Can you share a memorable experience from your time as a translator, and how this role opened doors for you in the entertainment industry?
My most memorable moment as a translator was the first time that I did translation on television for Ryusei, the “mini Bruce Lee” on “Little Big Shots”. It was so fun for me to translate the conversation between Ryusei and Steve Harvey, and they even gave me a chance to have fun with it and improv a little…which I love doing. That episode became the highest-rated episode of the season, which led me to become a season regular on the show, and also gave me more opportunities working on the Ellen show and World of Dance.
Your debut single touches on themes of identity and transformation. How do these themes resonate with your personal journey, both as an artist and as someone with a diverse cultural background?
I think that “Someone Else” might resonate with everyone’s personal journey, it is more of an emotional statement as opposed to a cultural background statement. I think that we all learn about relationships as we grow (whether you are young or old) and that it is important to learn to take care of yourself emotionally and not let others who are not worthy make you feel bad about yourself. You are the head of your own life, don’t let others bring you down! That can be applied to anyone’s life no matter where they are from!
In the midst of your various creative pursuits, how do you find balance and inspiration to continually evolve as an artist and explore new artistic avenues?
I think that staying busy and staying focused has enabled me to evolve. I spend my time at dance lessons, acting lessons, recording sessions and at school studying. What I learned from all of the above (including my travel back and forth to Japan) has enabled me to see all of the possibilities out there and to learn about new things on a daily basis.
“Someone Else” marks the beginning of your musical journey. What can fans expect from your upcoming musical projects, and how do you envision your sound evolving over time?
We will have a new single out soon and will also be booking some performance dates with my new dance team. I think that my sound will continue to evolve naturally and will be captured and guided by my producers who really know what works for me and what showcases my vocal strengths best.
With your debut single gaining attention from both music and fashion circles, how do you navigate the spotlight and manage expectations while staying true to your authentic self?
I am lucky because my family has given me a strong foundation and has taught me to continue to strive, grow and be open to what the future may bring. I can only try my hardest and by doing that I am staying true to my authentic self.
As an artist who transcends cultural boundaries, what message do you hope to convey through your music and artistic endeavours, especially in the current global landscape?
Anything is possible and stay true to your dreams!
Looking forward, what are your goals and aspirations as an international singer, model, and actor? What would be your dream project or collaboration you’d love to manifest into reality?
I would love to be able to go on tour with one of my idols like Ariana Grande or collab with them. That would be a dream!
Thank you, Anna Aya, for taking the time to answer our questions, we can’t get enough of “Someone Else” and we’re super excited for your upcoming new music.
“Someone Else”, by Anna Aya, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Handcraft Entertainment. We’re excited to see how the future unfolds for this talented woman.
Let us know what you make of “Someone Else” by Anna Aya on X (formerly Twitter) @CelebMix.
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