Sweet & Sexy Leah Dizon: The First "Planet Idol"?

Leah Dizon is a rarity among so-called Japanese Idols: she's multi-talented, multi-ethnic and has universal appeal that makes a mockery of national borders. Leah Dizon's smashing success in Japan is all the more notable considering she's not even Japanese! The soon to be 21 beauty is an eye-pleasing blend of French, Chinese and Filipina heritage, born in Las Vegas to casino croupier parents. Dizon took a crash course in Japanese when, in 2006, her popular website attracted the attention of a large talent agency in Japan and she moved to Tokyo to begin a modeling career. Best-selling photobooks led to her scoring regular TV appearances, a string of chart hits as a J-Pop artist and a growing number of lucrative product promotions. It may seem like Leah Dizon is everywhere to be seen, hears and read on the web in Japan, and yet her career has barely begun. Indeed, Japan may prove to be too small for the likes of Leah Dizon, the world itself may be her ultimate stage. (image via le Journal du Geek)

Leah Dizon performing her song "Kot Shiyou" at Music Station on June 1, 2007 (via hikkichan@jpopsuki)

I first took notice of Leah Dizon when she appeared on the popular NHK television show Music Station to perform her new single, "Kot Shiyou". Accompanied by a pair of scantily clad backup singer/dancers, Dizon gyrated across the stage, singing in a mix of English and Japanese. Her erotic, sexually charged performance blew away my image of a typical Japanese Idol yet she still managed to evoke that sense of sweet innocence these Idols so carefully cultivate. Japanese advertisers know a good thing when they see it too - Dizon's current commercials extol the virtues of the Sony PlayStation 3 Ninja Gaiden Sigma, among others. This girl is getting a LOT of exposure, and her star should rise even higher with the release of her next single "L.O.V.E U", due to be released on August 8th.

Leah Dizon's latest step towards stardom was taken on July 31st when Japanese toy maker Bandai named her to be the face of their new "Sweet Razzor" women's clothing line. In an unusual break with Idol tradition, Dizon will not only represent the brand but will lend her talents to designing and marketing the clothing. Bandai has high hopes for Sweet Razzor, estimating first year sales at 2 billion yen or about 16 million dollars. My guess is that Bandai is also hoping Dizon's "girl without borders" image and universal appeal will boost acceptance of the line in other countries.

So, what's next for Leah Dizon? At just 20, the world is her oyster and she's as pretty as a pearl - with the smarts necessary to avoid being strung along like all the rest. A new world culture born out of social globalization has been born, personified by trend-setting image leaders like Leah Dizon. "Planet Idol", anyone? (image via TreToday Forums)

Check out this cool video feature on Leah Dizon by Gyao News:

Steve Levenstein
Japanese Innovations Writer
InventorSpot.com