:Leah Dizon
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Short description|American singer and model (1986)}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Leah Dizon cropped.jpg
| caption = Leah Dizon at an Oxnard, California car show in 2005
| birth_name = Leah Donna Dizon
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1986|9|24}}
| birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
| years_active = 2006–2010, 2013, 2019
| education = Nevada State University
| occupation = {{hlist|gaijin tarento|singer|model}}
| label_name = {{unbulleted list|Victor Entertainment|Tokyo Rabbit Records}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Bun|2008|2010|end=div}}
| children = 1
}}
Leah Donna Dizon (born September 24, 1986) is an American former singer, model and media personality.[http://ameblo.jp/leahdizon-profile/ Leah Dizon Official Blog – Profile] {{in lang|ja}} After moving to Japan in early 2006 to pursue an entertainment career, she made her recording debut on Victor Entertainment later that same year.
Early life and career
=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 Filipino descent. Her parents worked as casino dealers.[http://www.importtuner.com/models/0508_cover_model_leah_dizon/interview.html "Up Close & Personal: Leah Dizon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225171218/http://www.importtuner.com/models/0508_cover_model_leah_dizon/interview.html |date=December 25, 2013 }}. Import Tuner. October 2004 (republished February 2009). Retrieved July 25, 2010.[http://skycorporation.co.jp/page.php?tl_id=119 "SKY CORPORATION – 各タレントページ"]. Sky Corporation. {{in lang|ja}} 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.[http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Profile/A020707.html "サイトマップ"]. Victor Entertainment. Retrieved August 14, 2011.{{cite web |title=IGN Babes Interview: Leah Dizon |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/625/625471p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017124644/http://stars.ign.com/articles/625/625471p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |website= IGN |access-date=December 12, 2010}} 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.[http://www.importtuner.com/models/0508_cover_model_leah_dizon/interview.html "Up Close & Personal: Leah Dizon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225171218/http://www.importtuner.com/models/0508_cover_model_leah_dizon/interview.html |date=December 25, 2013 }}. Import Tuner. August 2005. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
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.[http://www.dragsport.com/issue/2006/0706_motm.shtml "First Date: Leah Dizon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202054230/http://www.dragsport.com/issue/2006/0706_motm.shtml |date=December 2, 2010 }}. Import Tuner. July 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2010. At the age of 18, Dizon relocated to Los Angeles, California and attended college as a film major for her freshman year.
=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.[http://skycorporation.co.jp/en_page.php?tl_id=100 "Profile"]. Sky Corporation. 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.[http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Profile/A020707.html "リア・ディゾン{{pipe}}プロフィール{{pipe}}@Victor Entertainment"]. @ Victor Entertainment. Retrieved December 16, 2010. {{in lang|ja}}
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.[http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2007/01/index.shtml Japan Entertainment News Archives for January 2007] {{in lang|ja}}[http://career.oricon.co.jp/news/50737/full/ Japan Book Of The Year] Oricon. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{in lang|ja}} A few pictorials for various magazines followed.[http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2509538 ハロリア! Hello! Leah] HMV. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{in lang|ja}}
Dizon made her musical debut under Victor Entertainment on February 14, 2007, with the single "Softly".[http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/leahdizon/ Leah Dizon Official Website] Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{in lang|ja}} This was followed by "Koi Shiyō", and "L・O・V・E U".[http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/code-j/section-music/pid-1004879608/ L・O・V・E U (Normal Edition) (Japanese Version) – Leah Dizon] YesAsia.com. Retrieved February 4, 2009. 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 {{Nihongo|"Aishiteru: Love Story"|アイシテル～ Love Story}}.[http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICL-36290 Leah Dizon / Koi Shiyo (Regular Edition)] CDJapan. Retrieved February 4, 2009. 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.[http://www.neowing.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICL-62900 Communication!!! 通常盤]/ リア・ディゾン] Neowing. Retrieved February 4, 2009. {{in lang|ja}} "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.[http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3009 Japan remakes internet drama "Prom Queen"] Tokyograph. April 18, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
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, three months pregnant, Dizon married Bun in a traditional Japanese ceremony.[http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-3916 "Shotgun wedding for Leah Dizon"]. Tokyograph News. October 14, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2010.][http://www.japan-zone.com/news/2008/10/15/leahs_latest_lesson_in_japanese_showbiz.shtml Leah's Latest Lesson in Japanese Showbiz] Japan Zone. October 15, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009. These initial stages were chronicled and announced during her Communication!!! Album Tour several days after the marriage. The couple's daughter was born in April 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/090424/gnb0904241251000-n1.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427133010/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/090424/gnb0904241251000-n1.htm|script-title=ja:リア・ディゾンが女児出産|archive-date=April 27, 2009|publisher=Sanspo|access-date=April 24, 2009 |language=ja }}
On February 14, 2010, Dizon appeared on live television, claiming that her marriage had been troubled ever since the birth.[http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/leah-dizon-to-split-from-husband-of-two-years "Leah Dizon to split from husband of two years"]. Japan Today. November 1, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010. 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".[http://ameblo.jp/leahdizon/ "Leah Dizon divorce confirmation"]. October 31, 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2011.[http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20101030-OHT1T00132.htm リア・ディゾンが離婚、デキ婚から2年] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101031172151/http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20101030-OHT1T00132.htm |date=October 31, 2010 }} Yomiuri Online. October 31, 2010. Retrieved November 2, 2010. {{in lang|ja}} 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.[http://www.tokyohive.com/2012/12/leah-dizon-resumes-her-activities/ "Leah Dizon resumes her activities"]. Tokyohive. December 16, 2012.[http://ameblo.jp/leahdizon/entry-11430456629.html 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 lang|ja}} After graduating, Dizon stated that she would like to return to Japan for work in the future.[https://www.japan-zone.com/news/2011/02/22/leah_dizon_a_single_mom_in_us.shtml "Leah Dizon a Single Mom in US"]. Japan Zone. February 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.[http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/02/leah-dizon-divorces-husband/#disqus_thread "Leah Dizon divorces husband"]. Tokyohive. February 22, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110225100646/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/110222/gnc1102221226000-n1.htm "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.
In June 2011, Dizon filmed commercials in Manhattan for Shonan Cosmetic Surgery Clinic.[http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/leah-dizon-to-make-comeback-in-tv-commercials "Leah Dizon to make 'comeback' in TV commercials"]. Japan Today. August 2011.
=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.[http://ameblo.jp/leahdizon/entry-11426890866.html "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 The magazine Josei Jishin reported 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, before moving to Las Vegas with her mother and daughter.[http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/leah-dizon-reappears-after-3-years "Leah Dizon reappears after 3 years"]. "Japan Today". June 2013[http://jisin.jp/news/2592/6013/ "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】"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020021412/http://jisin.jp/news/2592/6013/ |date=October 20, 2013 }}. "Joseijishin" June 2013
As of 2018, Dizon was a senior at Nevada State University, majoring in social psychology, was a McNair Scholar,{{Cite web |last=Rupersburg |first=Nicole |date=September 7, 2018 |title=Meet the McNair Scholar: Leah Oswinn |url=https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/meet-mcnair-scholar-leah-oswinn |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=UNLV |language=en-US}} and had plans to attend graduate school.{{Cite web|url=http://neotokyo2099.com/2018/08/13/nikkan-gendai-interviews-leah-dizon-12-years-after-her-debut-in-japan/|title="Nikkan Gendai" interviews Leah Dizon, 12 years after her debut in Japan|date=August 13, 2018|website=Neo-Tokyo 2099|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2019}} She graduated magna cum laude in 2019.
Discography
= Albums =
= Mini-albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of mini-albums ! style="width:12em;"| Title ! style="width:16em;"| Album details |
| scope="row" | For the World
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Sales ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|Oricon Singles Charts !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|Billboard Japan Hot 100 ! style="width:2.5em;"|TWN East Asian |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Fever"
| 2006 | — || — || — | — | |rowspan=1|Non-album single |
| scope="row" | "Softly"
| rowspan="3" | 2007 | 7 || — || — | 49,000 | |rowspan=3|Destiny Line |
| scope="row" | "Koi Shiyō"
| 7 || — || — | 49,000 | |
| scope="row" | "L・O・V・E U"
| 16 || — || — | 20,000 | |
| scope="row" | "Love Paradox"
| rowspan="2" | 2008 | 15 || 30 || — | 11,000 | |rowspan=2|Communication |
| scope="row" | "Vanilla"
| 26 || — || 7 | 8,000 | |
| scope="row"| "For The World"
| 2019 | — || — || — | — | |rowspan=1|FOR THE WORLD |
| scope="row"| "Only You"
| 2020 | — || — || — | — | |rowspan=1|Non-album single |
= Concert DVDs =
- Live Communication!!! (2008)
=Video game soundtracks=
- "Everlasting Love + You" (Katamari Forever) (2009){{Cite web|url=http://columbia.jp/prod-info/COCX-35745-6/|title=「塊魂Tribute」オリジナル・サウンドトラック「かたまりたけし」 {{pipe}} 商品情報 {{pipe}} 日本コロムビアオフィシャルサイト}}
- "Bomb a Head!" (Samurai & Dragons version ft. Leah Dizon) (Samurai & Dragons) (2013){{Cite web |url=http://samurai-and-dragons.sega.jp/themesong/ |title=サムライ&ドラゴンズ テーマソング・プロジェクト {{pipe}} サムライ&ドラゴンズ公式サイト |access-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104135525/http://samurai-and-dragons.sega.jp/themesong/ |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
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
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category|Leah Dizon}}
- [http://ameblo.jp/leahdizon/ Leah Dizon Official Blog] {{in lang|ja}}
- [https://tokyorabbit.me/records/portfolio/リア・ディゾ/ Leah Dizon at Tokyo Rabbit Records]{{in lang|ja}}
- [http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/leahdizon/ Leah Dizon at Victor Entertainment] {{in lang|ja}}
- {{IMDb name|id=2612329|name=Leah Dizon}}
{{Leah Dizon}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dizon, Leah}}
Category:American expatriates in Japan
Category:American women pop singers
Category:American musicians of Chinese descent
Category:American musicians of Filipino descent
Category:American people of French descent
Category:Expatriate television personalities in Japan
Category:Musicians from Las Vegas
Category:Victor Entertainment artists
Category:American models of Filipino descent
Category:American models of Chinese descent