I became an idol in Japan at 14 by dancing in my bedroom on the Isle of Man
A YOUNG woman has revealed how she became a Japanese pop star while dancing in her bedroom as a teenager.
Becki, once known as Beckii Cruel, became an overnight success in Japan at the age of 14, despite growing up on the Isle of Man and never setting foot in the country.
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Now 29, Becki recalls her time as a Japanese pop star and how it all happened.
“I had a very strange early childhood, when I was like an idol Japanshe said.
An idol in Japan is essentially a famous entertainer, usually singers.
“For me, the Internet was really a way to explore the world,” she explained.
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“I just woke up and my inbox was like new subscriber, new subscriber, I thought, something’s going on.”
She revealed that it all started when she picked up a manga book and became obsessed with the cartoons, which led her to delve deep into Japanese culture.
Becki soon started watching YouTube videos of people dancing to J Pop songs (a term used for Japanese pop music) and decided to try it herself from her bedroom in the Isle of Man.
Despite not speaking a word of Japanese or ever visiting the country, she woke up one day to find her videos had gone viral in the country and had millions of fans overnight.
Following her success, Becki revealed that she had signed a three-year management contract with a Japanese company, a record label with Tokuma Records and an advertising contract with Amazon.
Becki then left for Japan during the summer holidays for her career by recording the song Danjo and even being part of the J-pop group Cruel Angels.
She added: “I have been to Japan three times and after deliberately keeping a low profile in the Isle of Man I appeared on local radio Three FM for the first time and it is the first time local people have known what I did.
“Then I had a full-page article in the Manx Independent and then we also made a pilot documentary for BBC 3.”
Becki did say that while making her first photo card album in Japan, she was pressured to pose in swimwear, something her parents rebuffed.
She said: “(There was) pressure to do things that might not be age appropriate from a Western perspective, like swimsuit photo shoots at the age I was.
The rise of J Pop in Western culture
The rise of J-Pop (Japanese pop) and K-Pop (Korean pop) in Western culture can be attributed to several factors.
- Globalization and the Internet: The Internet has played a crucial role in the global spread of J-Pop and K-Pop. Platforms like YouTube, Spotify and social media sites like Twitter, Instagram and TikTok have made it easier for fans around the world to access and share music, videos and news about their favorite artists. This has significantly lowered the barriers to entry for non-Western music in Western markets.
- High production quality: Both J-Pop and K-Pop are known for their high production values. Music videos are often elaborate and visually stunning, with impressive choreography, fashion and special effects. This level of production quality has attracted a global audience that appreciates the artistry and commitment of each performance.
- Idol culture: In both Japan and Korea, the concept of “idols” – young pop stars meticulously trained in singing, dancing and image – is central to the music industry. These idols often have a strong fan base because of their talent, hard work and carefully constructed public personas. Idol culture has intrigued many Western fans, who are drawn to the dedication and discipline of these performers.
“I think for the girls in Japan it’s probably a feeling that there are a thousand other girls like you who will go to any lengths to be the most successful, so if you don’t do the swimsuit photo shoot, we don’t need you.
“That was my conclusion.”
Becki has received thousands of views and likes on her videos explaining her Idol career on TikTok @beckiibeckii.
One person wrote: “I remember watching your documentary and being amazed because I was the same age as you.”
Another commented: “Beckii Cruel! I remember you!”
“I remember your BBC3 documentary, teen icon,” wrote a third.
Meanwhile, a fourth said: “Omgggg this has unlocked a core memory.”
“Whaaaat!? This is so cool,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “Oh wow, I remember you! It must have taken a minute, but… Nice You can look back on that time fondly.”
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