Singer Utada Hikaru Reveals Nonbinary Identity, Wants More Discussions on LGBTQ Issues in Japan
By Bryan Ke
Japanese American singer Utada Hikaru revealed their nonbinary identity during a recent livestream on Instagram.
The reveal: Over the weekend, the 38-year-old singer wished everyone a happy Pride Month and came out as nonbinary to their Instagram followers, according to Kotaku.
- They also shared a post from a few weeks ago detailing how they are sick of being asked if they are “Miss or Missus” and having to choose between “Miss/Mrs./Ms.”
- Utada discovered the title “Mx.” (usually pronounced as “mix”), which they hope “becomes more widely used.”
- A Japanese news program reported on Utada’s coming-out moment, suggesting that it could promote more discussions on LGBTQ issues in Japan.
Other details: Utada was born in New York City in 1983 to Japanese singer Keiko Fuji and Japanese music producer Teruzane Utada, according to Billboard.
- Utada started writing songs at the age of 10. They wrote, recorded and released their first song, “Precious,” at the age of 15.
- They eventually found success at 16 years old after releasing the 1998 Japanese-language album “First Love.”
- They also sang the memorable theme songs of the Square Enix and Disney collaborative game series “Kingdom Hearts.”
- The Japan Times described Utada as the “most influential artist of the decade” in 2009.
Featured Image via Getty
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