Sakura-Con
Known as “the charismatic leader of Japanese high school girls,” Miliyah Kato used to “hate adults” when she started her career during her teens. In her debut single in 2004, “Never Let Go/Yozora,” the way of life expressed in her personal lyrics and her excellent sense for creating melodies were immediately recognized and stood out.
Miliyah is known as a fashion icon, and as a designer for her own fashion brand, KAWI JAMELE and jewelry brand MIRROR. She has been featured in a variety of fashion related media, as a trendsetter and also selected as “VOGUE JAPAN WOMAN OF THE YEAR.” Her followers imitate her hair-styles, make-up and outfits, and started a so-called “Miliyah-er” movement. In 2009, 1.8 million copies of her song “Aitai” were downloaded. “Love Forever,” a collaboration with Shota Shimizu, was downloaded more than 2.8 million times, and she became an icon of the digital generation.
Miliyah has also started her career as an author in 2011, and continues to fascinate her fans as she was nominated for the prestigious Akutagawa Prize.
Marking her thirteenth year in music at age 28, she continues to speak out for her generation by singing about modern women’s loves and complications, but is still admired by many high schoolers, while named a “Goddess” by working women in her own generation.
On March 1, 2017, she will release the Japanese version of “How Far I’ll Go,” from the soundtrack of the hit Disney movie, Moana.
