Japanese-British singer, songwriter, and actress Rina Sawayama, who stars in “John Wick: Chapter 4“, graces the cover of Allure US’ April 2023 issue. Captured by photographer Johnson Lui, Sawayama stuns in a Prada jacket and skirt, accompanied by Austin James Smith earrings and a Hoorsenbuhs ring.
Renowned stylist Anna Trevelyan curates an array of eclectic and cutting-edge designs from brands like 1017 Alyx 9SM, Heliot Emil, GCDS, Luar and Theophilio for the cover story, showcasing Sawayama’s bold and unique sense of style. The talented Evanie Frausto takes care of hair styling, while make-up artist Grace Ahn enhances Sawayama’s natural beauty with her artistry. Completing the cover’s polished look, manicurist Naomi Yasuda adds the perfect finishing touch. In charge of production is Viewfinders.
Rina Sawayama, a Japanese-British pansexual model-turned-pop-star-turned-action-hero, is known for her fearless approach to fashion, music, and now acting. She recently starred in the highly anticipated film, “John Wick: Chapter 4“, as the bow-and-arrow-wielding Akira. The role required rigorous training, pushing Sawayama to her limits, but also allowed her to learn and grow in new ways. As she told Allure, “It taught me I can push myself even more“.
In a candid interview, Sawayama opened up about her journey into acting, explaining how she used her music videos as an acting portfolio. This strategy paid off, as director Chad Stahelski noticed her ability to perform stunts and act, offering her the role in the John Wick franchise.
Sawayama also discussed the importance of representation in film and praised the recent success of “Everything Everywhere All at Once“, an Asian story that won an Oscar. She expressed her desire to see Michelle Yeoh, the star of the award-winning film, join the John Wick universe one day.
The singer-songwriter, who is also a political science graduate, shared her experiences with pushing for change in the music industry, where she campaigned for her eligibility for the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize despite initially being considered “not British enough“. Her efforts led to the British Phonographic Industry changing eligibility terms for all artists moving forward.
Sawayama is not shy about using her platform to discuss pressing issues. She has been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights in Japan, where protections for queer people are lacking. Despite facing criticism, she remains resilient and channels her experiences into her music, touching on themes like queer identity, familial belonging, and Asian cultural dynamics.
In the end, Sawayama aims to inspire and uplift through her art. “I want everyone to go home feeling more themselves“, she said. “The moment is only ever happening once. When people listen, when they connect, that’s special. That’s healing to me“.
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