Leah Dizon

Leah Donna Dizon (born September 24, 1986) is a gaijin tarento, singer, and model.[1] Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, she moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2006 to pursue a career in entertainment. She made her recording debut on Victor Entertainment later that same year.

Leah Dizon
Leah Dizon at an Oxnard, California car show in 2005
Born
Leah Donna Dizon

(1986-09-24) September 24, 1986
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Occupationgaijin tarento, singer, model
Years active2006–2010, 2013, 2019-present
Label(s)
Victor Entertainment, Tokyo Rabbit Records
Spouse(s)
Bun
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2010)​
Children1

Biography

1986–2004: Childhood and youth

Leah Donna Dizon was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 24, 1986. Her mother is of French descent while her father is of Chinese and Filipino descent. Her parents worked as casino dealers.[2][3] Dizon is the fourth of six children: she has two older brothers, an older sister, and two younger brothers. In an interview, she explains that she listened to rock and R&B music and trained in dance since the age of 12.[4][5] Dizon has said that her mother was "very strict and monitored [Dizon's] spending habits". When she was 14 years old, she worked at a clothing store and eventually saved enough money to travel to Japan alone for a trip.[6]

She attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts for her freshman and sophomore years but graduated from the public Eldorado High School in 2004, where she became active in theater.[7] At the age of 18, Dizon relocated to Los Angeles, California and attended college as a film major for her freshman year.[5]

2005–2007: Destiny Line, early work, and career debut

While living in Los Angeles, Dizon worked as a promotional model for local car shows. Eventually, her photographs were posted online. It was reported that there were 2 million Google hits within an entire year, with the majority of the viewers being located in China and Japan. Much of the attention received was attributed to her unique looks.[8] She was asked by many Japanese fans—who had seen her photographs—to work in their country, which eventually prompted her to submit several demo tapes and dance videos to Victor Entertainment. An agent offered and signed her to a recording contract.[9]

In March 2006, Dizon moved to Tokyo and began Japanese lessons alongside voice training. She released her first photobook, Petite Amie (which means "girlfriend" in French), in October 2006—Petite Amie was ranked as the third best-selling photobook of 2006 and 2007.[10][11] A few pictorials for various magazines followed.[11][12]

Dizon made her musical debut under Victor Entertainment on February 14, 2007 with the single "Softly".[13] This was followed by "Koi Shiyō", and "L・O・V・E U".[14] which also peaked at number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Chart. The title track is described as a "grooving, up-tempo dance song" and the single features 2 B-sides: "Could you be that one?" and "Aishiteru: Love Story" (アイシテル～ Love Story).[15] Koi Shiyō was used in a Lotte TV advert, while "Could you be that one?" was featured in a PlayStation 3 Ninja Gaiden Sigma TV advert, with Dizon starring in both commercials. In September 2007, Dizon released her debut album, Destiny Line, under Victor Entertainment. The CD+DVD Edition contains 14 tracks, 10 of which she penned herself on the single PVs alongside a special album PV "Again and Again". The CD+1 only edition contains the digitally-released remix of "Koi Shiyō", called "Koi Shiyō (Yasutaka Nakata-Capsule Mix)".

2008–2011: Communication!!!, marriage, and pregnancy

After the release of Destiny Line, Dizon continued with two singles: "Love Paradox" and "Vanilla" (both 2008). Her second album, Communication!!!, was released in August 2008.[16] "Under the Same Sky" was used as the theme song for the Japanese drama Tokyo Prom Queen, while "Lost At Sea" was used for season 2. She made a guest appearance on the show as Naomi, the prom queen from the previous year, through photos and video snippets. She herself never actually appeared.[17]

I have important news to tell you. I have actually got married! I'm pregnant, too. My family and I are very happy. Now, I think they'll have a lot of difficulties and changes. Of course, it is a little scary. But also, I am interested and looking forward to beginning a new life.

— Dizon, on her marriage and pregnancy[18]

In February 2008, Dizon began dating her stylist Bun (born 1979), whom she had met while shooting the music video for Love Paradox. On October 10, 2008, while three months pregnant, Dizon married Bun in a traditional Japanese ceremony.[19][20] These initial stages were chronicled and announced during her Communication!!! Album Tour several days after the marriage. The couple's daughter, Mila (美蘭, Mira), was born on April 24, 2009.[21][22]

On February 14, 2010, Dizon appeared on live television and discussed making cookies for Bun. Subsequently, she confessed that their relationship had been aversive ever since the birth. That same month, she was featured in a spread for Glamorous Magazine, where she discussed motherhood and her hopes to return to the entertainment industry. It was her first magazine cover in nearly two years.[23][24] On October 31, 2010, she announced that she and Bun had separated and filed for divorce earlier that month, and she was seeking full custody of their child. According to Dizon, the split was due to "busy schedules and inability to meet regularly differing opinions toward raising children" alongside "irreconcilable differences".[25][26] According to a statement released on February 22, 2011 by Dizon's agency, Dizon received full custody of their daughter Mila and details of their arrangement were private. Their divorce was finalized in December 2010. Dizon subsequently attended the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City, where she graduated in December 2012.[27][28] After graduating, Dizon stated that she would like to return to Japan for work in the future.[29][30][31]

In June 2011, Dizon filmed commercials in Manhattan for Shonan Cosmetic Surgery Clinic. The commercials were released on August 17, 2011.[32][33]

2012–present: Return to Japan

On December 14, 2012, Dizon announced that she had signed a contract with a talent agency in the US, and would also be accepting any offers for Japanese work if she were to receive any.[34]

On June 2, 2013, it was reported that Dizon was slated to record the theme song for the upcoming "Samurai & Dragons" video game. The track was released June 26, 2013.[35]

It was reported by the magazine Joseijishin in June 2013 that Dizon's ex-husband Bun had stopped paying child support for their daughter, which was the main reason Dizon returned to Japan. "Apparently his business partner went bankrupt. But he needs to continue his responsibility for his daughter," Dizon is reported to have said. She now lives in Las Vegas with her mother and daughter.[36][37]

As of 2018, Dizon was a senior at Nevada State University, majoring in social psychology, and had plans to attend graduate school.[38]

In June 2019, it was announced that she was resuming her activities and would be releasing a mini-album titled "For The World" with a fan meet to follow.[39] The lead single was released July 16.

On March 23, it was announced that she would be releasing a new EP titled "Only You" slated for March 27.

Discography

Albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak positions Sales[40]
JPN
[41]		 TWN
[42]		 TWN East Asian
[43]
Destiny Line
  • Released: September 12, 2007
  • Label: Victor
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 9 10 1 55,091
Communication
  • Released: August 20, 2008
  • Label: Victor
  • Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download
 16 10 2 14,000

Mini-albums
List of mini-albums
Title Album details
For the World
  • Released: July 24, 2019
  • Label: Tokyo Rabbit
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales[40] Certifications Album
Oricon Singles Charts
[41]		 Billboard Japan Hot 100
[44]		 TWN East Asian
[43]
"Fever" 2006 ——— — Non-album single
"Softly" 2007 7—— 49,000 Destiny Line
"Koi Shiyō" 7—— 49,000
"L・O・V・E U" 16—— 20,000
"Love Paradox" 2008 1530— 11,000 Communication
"Vanilla" 26—7 8,000
"For The World" 2019 ——— — FOR THE WORLD
"Only You" 2020 ——— — Non-album single

Concert DVDs
  • Live Communication!!! (2008)

Video game soundtracks
  • "Everlasting Love + You" (Katamari Forever) (2009)[46]
  • "Bomb a Head!" (Samurai & Dragons version ft. Leah Dizon) (Samurai & Dragons) (2013)[47]

Filmography

Film
  • Traffic in the Sky (トラフィック・イン・ザ・スカイ) (2007)
  • Kiba Gaiden (呀＜KIBA＞ ～暗黒騎士鎧伝～) (2011)

Television
  • Webtama as a co-host (2007)
  • Sakigake Ongaku Banzuke Vegas as host (2007)
  • J-Melo as host (2007)

Plays
  • Words Yakusoku / Uragiri: Subete, Ushinawareshi Mono no Tame (2009)
  • To Drop Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima (2009)

See also

References
  1. Leah Dizon Official Blog – Profile (in Japanese)
  2. "Up Close & Personal: Leah Dizon" Archived 2013-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. Import Tuner. October 2004 (republished February 2009). Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  3. "SKY CORPORATION – 各タレントページ". Sky Corporation. (in Japanese)
  4. "サイトマップ". Victor Entertainment. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  5. "IGN Babes Interview: Leah Dizon". IGN. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  6. "Up Close & Personal: Leah Dizon" Archived 2013-12-25 at the Wayback Machine. Import Tuner. August 2005. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  7. "First Date: Leah Dizon". Import Tuner. July 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  8. "Profile". Sky Corporation.
  9. "リア・ディゾン｜プロフィール｜@Victor Entertainment". @ Victor Entertainment. Retrieved December 16, 2010. (in Japanese)
  10. Japan Entertainment News Archives for January 2007 (in Japanese)
  11. Japan Book Of The Year Oricon. Retrieved February 4, 2009. (in Japanese)
  12. ハロリア! Hello! Leah HMV. Retrieved February 4, 2009. (in Japanese)
  13. Leah Dizon Official Website Retrieved February 4, 2009. (in Japanese)
  14. L・O・V・E U (Normal Edition) (Japanese Version) – Leah Dizon YesAsia.com. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  15. Leah Dizon / Koi Shiyo (Regular Edition) CDJapan. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  16. Communication!!! 通常盤]/ リア・ディゾン Neowing. Retrieved February 4, 2009. (in Japanese)
  17. Japan remakes internet drama "Prom Queen" Tokyograph. April 18, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  18. Leah Dizon, 4 months pregnant, announces she's married Japan Today. October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  19. "Shotgun wedding for Leah Dizon". Tokyograph News. October 14, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2010.]
  20. Leah's Latest Lesson in Japanese Showbiz Japan Zone. October 15, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
  21. ほとんど英語ですけど。。。 Leah Dizon Official Blog（リア・ディゾン オフィシャルブログ） powered by アメブロ. May 10, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009. (in Japanese)
  22. リア・ディゾンが女児出産 (in Japanese). Sanspo. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2009.
  23. "土屋アンナ：「エイリアンみたい」妊娠７カ月でふっくら　梅宮アンナらとグラマラスママ写真展". Mainichi Kirei. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  24. "Leah Dizon to split from husband of two years". Japan Today. November 1, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  25. "Leah Dizon divorce confirmation". October 31, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  26. リア・ディゾンが離婚、デキ婚から２年 Archived 2010-10-31 at the Wayback Machine Yomiuri Online. October 31, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2010. (in Japanese)
  27. "Leah Dizon resumes her activities". Tokyohive. December 16, 2012.
  28. Never say never~ Leah Dizon Official Blog（リア・ディゾン オフィシャルブログ） powered by アメブロ. December 19, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013. (in Japanese)
  29. "Leah Dizon a Single Mom in US". Japan Zone. February 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  30. "Leah Dizon divorces husband". Tokyohive. February 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  31. "リア・ディゾン離婚していた　長女と米帰国" ("Leah Dizon divorces her husband and returns to United States"). Sanspo. February 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  32. "新CM絶賛放映中！" Archived 2012-05-07 at the Wayback Machine. "新宿湘南美容外科クリニック("Shonan Cosmetic Surgery Clinic")". January 28, 2012.
  33. "Leah Dizon to make 'comeback' in TV commercials". Japan Today. August 2011.
  34. "Hello!" Leah Dizon Official Blog（リア・ディゾン オフィシャルブログ） powered by アメブロ. December 2012
  35. "Leah Dizon To Return With First New Song Since 2009". JpopAsia. June 2013
  36. "Leah Dizon reappears after 3 years". "Japan Today". June 2013
  37. "リア・ディゾン 活動再開決意させた「元夫からの送金停止」【リア・ディゾン】" Archived 2013-10-20 at the Wayback Machine. "Joseijishin" June 2013
  38. ""Nikkan Gendai" interviews Leah Dizon, 12 years after her debut in Japan". Neo-Tokyo 2099. 2018-08-13. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  39. "【スタッフからお知らせ】ミニアルバムリリーズ＆イベント、ファンミーティング開催!!". Leah Dizon Official Blog（リア・ディゾン オフィシャルブログ） powered by アメブロ. 2019-06-28. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  40. "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon. Retrieved December 23, 2013. (subscription only)
  41. "リア・ディゾンのリリース一覧" [A Look at Leah Dizon's Releases]. Oricon. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  42. "G-Music Combo Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  43. "G-Music J-Pop Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  44. "Hot 100｜JAPAN Charts｜Billboard JAPAN". Billboard (in Japanese).
  45. ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2007年11月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (November 2007)]. RIAJ (in Japanese). December 20, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  46. http://columbia.jp/prod-info/COCX-35745-6/
  47. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2013-06-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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