Kaguya on New Music, Web3, and Life on the Internet

Easter eggs are rampant in the Kaguya timeline — from classical training in the piano and flute (“superior excellent” ratings at state competitions) to a previous life as a photographer. What’s clear is that these colorful life experiences, while varied, have served as a unified force for creative excellence.

During our chat, she greets each question with a quick pause and eloquent reflections. Kaguya’s energy feels grounded in longtime familiarity with the worlds she travels in. She has spent years advocating for self-love, body acceptance, and her well-earned place in the realms of culture, fashion, and music as a plus-sized Asian creative. "2AM" is new, fresh, and sultry, but the world-building vision behind it is years in the making.

How are you doing? How are you feeling post-launch?

I'm super relieved that the music video has launched, but unfortunately the Instagram algorithm hates me… They marked my music video as adult content! I mean, that's honestly something I've been dealing with as a plus-sized Asian person. So, I’m just like, it’s okay. It’s reaching the people who will ultimately listen. Especially once I launch the rest of the things I’m working on, it should be fine!

What was the world-building process like for "2AM" and its video?

Most of my lyrics are “sad girl” music. The first single I produced was more of the energy of Sade, R&B, etcetera. For the second single, I wanted it to be reminiscent of a Slayyyter, Charli XCX, bubblegum pop, early 2000s nostalgia vibe.

I’ve had an art studio for almost two years — Rice Studios. I also have a lot of friends in New York that I met while living there. Some of the video was done in Rice Studios with an Uzumaki Gallery installation — she’s a friend of mine and was in New York, so I said let’s collab! For the armor and costuming, I reached out to a designer friend Sho Konishi, and they ended up styling the whole video too. 

The concept for the video shoot was inspired by my love of manga. I have this favorite manga series called Chobits, and the whole series is basically set in a version of neo-Tokyo. Everyone has an AI bot that looks like a real human, but they lack love. There’s this one special bot, and her whole thing is, “I'm looking for the person just for me.” The character is based on that, and on me not seeing much Asian, plus-sized representation in the music industry.

The song seems to be telling a narrative of unrequited love. It’s late, the character hasn’t heard back from her lover… is that based on you?

Yes! I would say that. I was single for a long time, and the message is basically like, bitch why aren't you calling me back? Like, I’m tired of your narcissism [laughs].

What was it like learning how to build an identity online?

I went to school for photography at SVA. At that time, being a renaissance person was frowned upon, so I cut off some of my hobbies and fully dove into photography. That was a fun run. In 2017, I decided to go public with my self-love journey and started taking and posting self-portraits. Ryan McGinley reached out to work with me, I was featured in the Vogue100… I still wasn’t signed as a model at the time. Everyone was like, how would we sign this Asian BBW - she’s tatted, she’s short, she’s older, we wouldn’t know what to do with her. In 2019, I did get signed and I’m super thankful for the whole journey. Now I’ve worked with Nike, Google, Apple, Instagram, Sephora… you name it.

What are some personal or professional goals you've set for yourself in the next few years?

I just signed with a new agency — The Alternatives Management. I'm excited for what modeling can bring, and I have a new project coming up I can’t reveal yet, but it’s exciting.

Honestly, I see myself moreso becoming an agent after a certain time because I'm 34 now. As much evolution as casting can do with inclusivity and range, I still know my circumstances within the industry. They're always looking for the next young, fresh meat. But it’s not stopping me, regardless. 

I'm also working on my next album — I have a whole set list and I’ve been chatting around with different producers and people I’ve met in LA. It's going to be more like an Avril Levigne, angsty, pop punk vibe.

I would describe you as a meme lord of the highest order, how did that become so central to your online community-building?

When Instagram started shadowbanning me, literally for my physicality, I thought to myself: well clearly, I can’t just post myself anymore.That’s when the shift happened. 

I love memes — in interviews I’ve been asked about inspirations and I always respond, “Memes!”

At the same time, I was born in the age of tragi-comedy, so I always think there should be lightheartedness. It’s a way for me to translate how I feel, and to communicate my experiences. There’s still a curation to it, even if it's of the delusional state of today.

Beyond your music, meme-crafting, and modeling, what should people know about you?

Within the last year, I began working on a digitized platform for Rice Studios, essentially a new social network that folds Web2 — artists and their merchandise — into a Web3 world. I’m going heavy into crypto spaces, becoming a techie and doing my due diligence. I’m doing this to decentralize the industry standard for musicians’ fees, which always needs more exposure. 

The studio is for POC queers, which is where the inclusion of “rice” comes in, because that’s often where we feel at home. We’re launching a music space where artists can have their own platform, instead of jumping onto other streamers with a more equitable payment plan and different, more personable interactions with fans.

I also made a cyberspace and virtual reality experience within the project to host the viewing party for "2AM". There’s a virtual showroom with a whole art wall of BTS, 35mm film outtakes, and screens to view the video.

What advice do you have for young artists who are trying to find their unique voice and navigate the complexities of self-expression in today's digital age?

Be true to yourself. Do what you want to do! If you don't see something happening in the industry, be the first to do it. There’s no use in waiting around for someone to offer you an opportunity when they have no idea who you are. You know? Grab the world by its balls. 

At the end of the day — and I’m not bragging about it — but I know I’m one of the first people who looks like me, who’s queer, to do this and over time I’ve learned how to speak my truth because this is my journey.