The channelAPA.com exclusive interviews with members of Umamiya continues. Previously, we’ve profiled members Cathedral Leung, Winnie Wu, and Kim Min Jung.
Kitty Karaoke of Umamiya
On her past:
Born to a famous Japanese beauty queen in Hawaii, Kitty Karaoke was raised to follow in her mother’s walk down the catwalk. Unfortunately, it was easily determined that being a National beauty pageant winner was not for Kitty. She defended her country and regional wins eagerly: “Some say that being Miss Hawaiian Forest and Trail is not a big deal. However, I say that wearing a bikini made out of foliage is no easy task!” Kitty, while fluent in Japanese, considers herself more American than Asian.
Kitty found her knack for singing during a ho’ike (showcase) back home in Hawaii when she was six. “I turned the wrong way to exit the stage. By the time I realized all the other girls had exited, I was left onstage alone. Everyone was laughing because I was so cute, so I started singing by myself….It was then that I knew that I would be a star.” Though she hadn’t won any awards, when posed with the question of what she would tell her past tell self, Kitty said she’d tell them to keep their head up high.
On Umamiya:
On the other girls themselves, Kitty tries to be fair as a leader. Revealing that Winnie “WWII” Wu is really a sweetheart under her hardcore exterior, Kitty explains: “I think she has abandonment issues and they come out in her rap lyrics.” Kim Min Jung is the most homesick out of all the girls. Kitty sometimes volunteers to take her to the local Sanrio store for stickers, making Min Jung really happy. The same way that Ming Jung previously called Cathedral Leung out in her interview, Kitty called fellow member Mari.kris.am.i on her diva-esque attitude. “I think she thinks she is better than everyone. I think she had a recording contract with another record company, but she doesn’t talk about it.” Kitty even brings up about how Mari.kris.am.i may have possibly been replaced in her old girl group. To Kitty, Cathedral is the maternal figure of the group. “She keeps asking everyone, ‘Have you eaten yet?’ Most people say, ‘Hello’. She just keeps asking people if they’ve eaten yet.” Even though Kitty doesn’t get along with everyone, she explains that one of the most unforgettable moments with the group was a bonding session. Last week, the group feasted on pork rinds and shared at least one secret each. “I can’t tell you about the secrets, but I can tell you that everyone has some good ones.”
Despite the clash of personalities, Kitty sees the group buying a house or a mansion to live in together within 5 years. “I mean, S-Cube provides us housing, but we have to move every 2-3 weeks; something about saving costs and short-term sub-leases.” But Kitty is not complaining about the constant transfers. “As long as Young Bum keeps moving all my luggage for me, I’m okay with it.” She also wants the girl group to be given some form of transportation that does not involve taking the bus anymore.
Though she didn’t write any of the group’s songs, Kitty emphasizes that she sings really well. When S-Cube called her after her audition, she honestly thought she was auditioning for a pageant. “But, then I found out it was a singing group. I am so proud to be the leader of the group!” Her favorite thing about the group is to be able to look at herself in the mirror during rehearsals. You can get an even better glimpse at her vanity through her answer about her best contribution to the group: “Like I said, they are pretty obvious. Just look at me!”
When asked for a message for aspiring performers, Kitty had a lot to say: “Just believe in yourself. People may tell you that you’re fat, too old, or will never be as pretty as she was in the 1980’s. They may say you’re not good enough because you slouch when you walk, or can’t twirl a baton in a competition. They may even say that you were a mistake and you ruined their modeling career because they got pregnant with you. But, don’t listen to them. They are just unhappy because now they work as a checker at Wal-Mart.” (Bitter? I think so.)
On her interest in music:
Thanks to her grandfather, Kitty’s interest in music started at a young age. “When I was a keiki (little girl), my father used to play slack key guitar for us every chance he could.” In fact, her grandparents had a very big hand in helping her find her niche in the music world. “My grandmother once told me that you can play music on just about anything – furniture, shells, rocks. It is the rhythm that matters the most. I don’t know how she did it, but she used to play her teeth when nobody was looking.” Her inspirations consist of Israel Kamakawiwoole, Martin Pahinui, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC*, SMAP and Arashi. “I guess like any other local kid, I listened to a good mix of artists.”
Working as a waitress in one of Los Angeles’ karaoke bars, Kitty practices her singing with the bar’s karaoke system. Because of this, the greatest filmmaking Kitty has ever seen seems to be the Karaoke videos she watches. “The girls are so beautiful and the men are like handsome princes. Everyone looks so cool and they end up running to fancy places.” Her all-time favorite selection is #5778. She also raves about her karaoke bar and its benefits: “. Where else can you order edamame, dumplings AND drinks?” She chooses to sing anything by Irving Berlin, explaining that it’s so patriotic.
Other facts about Kitty:
If music wasn’t her calling, Kitty could see herself cheerleading. “I don’t know what team I would cheer for. I don’t know very much about sports, but I’m a good dancer and I know fashion. Plus, I get along really well with other women. Most don’t like me because I use my sexuality, but I don’t hate on other women.” She hopes to star in movies, television shows, internet videos, or maybe even host a beauty pageant within 5 years.
