From a childhood shaped by rhythmic gymnastics in the countryside to electrifying stages around the world, her journey into music was never accidental. Dance led her to Tokyo, Tokyo led her to DJing, and pure persistence turned chance encounters into global opportunities. In an industry that wasn’t always welcoming, she kept moving forward—traveling alone, building connections from nothing, and transforming setbacks into strength. Today, ranked among Asia’s top female DJs and performing across nearly 20 countries, her story is a powerful reminder that passion, resilience, and belief can turn dreams into reality.
What first sparked your passion for music and entertainment?
I did rhythmic gymnastics for 13 years, from childhood through high school, and I’ve always loved dancing to music. When I moved from the countryside to Tokyo at 18 and began working as a dancer at Burlesque Tokyo, I realized that music and dance had always been a part of my life — and before I knew it, that love had turned into a career in entertainment.
The electronic music industry is known for being decentralized and competitive. How did you find your footing among so many bookers, labels, and A&R teams?
When I first started DJing, I had absolutely no connections. By chance, I met an MC at a club in Taiwan, and we became friends. When he visited Japan, I showed him around, and as a thank-you, he helped me secure a booking at 18TC in Taiwan. That was my first overseas booking, just six months after I started DJing.
To meet more DJs and industry professionals, I went to multiple clubs almost every night. While working as a champagne girl at Burlesque Tokyo and 1OAK, I took every opportunity to meet overseas club owners and festival organizers, sending them my profile and gradually securing bookings.
Connecting with labels was by far the hardest part. I realized I first had to establish myself as one of Japan’s leading female DJs. I consistently took bookings every week and made sure to work with photographers and VJs so I could post high-quality DJ content on social media. Through persistent effort, I gradually gained recognition in Japan, entered rankings like DJane Mag, and finally had the opportunity to speak with label representatives.
You’ve built an international presence with fans and collaborators from all over the world — what has been your strategy (or mindset) in creating that global reach?
In my case, I made a lot of international friends because I DJed at clubs like FERIA and 1OAK, where many overseas guests came, and I also worked as a champagne girl. On top of that, I traveled alone to festivals and clubs in places like Vietnam, Macau, Cambodia, Singapore, and Shanghai, which allowed me to meet even more people from all over the world.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, particularly in Japan, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
The DJ industry in Japan has been very male-dominated, so I wasn’t always treated kindly. Sometimes my greetings were ignored, or even when I took photos with others, I was asked to delete them from social media. There were times I felt very lonely and, in the beginning, I cried almost every day.
But my dream was to become a superstar DJ, so no matter how tough things got, I decided to keep smiling and keep pushing forward. In the end, those experiences made me stronger — getting hurt and growing stronger is just like building muscle!
You’ve performed at major events around the world — from Formula 1 in Canada to clubs across Asia. Which performance has been the most memorable for you?
My performance at the Formula 1 in Canada actually came about through a chance encounter at the boarding gate for a flight to Ibiza. The person I met there offered me the opportunity to perform at the F1 event years later — it was truly an incredible connection.
The most memorable performance for me, however, was my first overseas festival: the 2019 Sundown Festival in Singapore. I shared the stage with artists like SODA and Oliver Heldens, and being watched by tens of thousands of people is an experience I will never forget.
Here’s the YouTube link from that performance.
How did it feel to be ranked among Asia’s top female DJs and recognized internationally?
Being ranked among Asia’s top female DJs and gaining international recognition was an incredible feeling. It was a mix of pride, gratitude, and validation for all the hard work and challenges I had overcome. Knowing that people around the world appreciate my music and performances motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and improving as an artist.
What inspires you most when you sit down to create music today?
Depending on my mood, the type of music I’m drawn to changes. When I feel sad or need motivation, I love synths and melodies like Dimitri Vegas’ Thank You. When I’m feeling upbeat or refreshed, I enjoy playful female vocals. My upcoming release, NOTHING TO LOSE, is exactly that kind of track — perfect for when you want to feel energized and motivated. I really hope people enjoy it!
You’ve already achieved so much — what’s next for Tiara? Any upcoming projects or goals you can share?
I’ve performed at clubs and festivals in nearly 20 countries so far, but my goal has always been to make people smile with my music. That’s why, starting next year, I want to travel the world together with my tracks and share that joy everywhere.
What advice would you give to young women in Asia who want to break into DJing and production but might feel discouraged by inequality or stereotypes?
No matter how tough things get, if you keep pushing forward, someone will notice. I’ve always believed that and worked hard with that mindset. I decided early on that I would only endure a difficult situation once, and then I would look for places where people truly appreciate me. I’ve moved around a lot, searching for those who value my work.
All women are diamonds. You have to find the place where you can shine, and then polish yourself into the diamond you are meant to be.
Can you share a few words about Deep Waves Music?
Thank you for picking me out from among so many DJs.
When I become even more successful worldwide, I’ll proudly tell people that Deep Waves Music discovered me and helped me shine.
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