Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Leading up to the release of their infectiously catchy single, “Tea,” VVS released a series of enigmatic videos under “The 5 C’s” umbrella. The cinematic shorts presented the members as kickass warriors armed with swords, guns and roundhouse kicks – all of which was choreographed by “John Wick” stunt director Koji Kawamoto.
Gavin Rossdale is the lead singer and songwriter for the British grunge rock band Bush and an occasional actor (“The Trainer,” “Constantine”). He’s also the host of his own VIZIO WatchFree+ cooking show, “Dinner With Gavin Rossdale,” where he has conversations with guests like Serena Williams, Brooke Shields, Selma Blair, Common and Sir Tom Jones over meals that he prepares for them.
“Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ever-patient husband you could ask for,” Devin Kawaoka said of the character he plays on the new Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.” “He feels deeply, sees the best in people and is always up for adventure – or some quality time over a glass of wine. He’s easy! If that’s not a good travel partner, then I don’t know what is.”
“I loved living in Boston,” jazz pianist Hiromi told me. “I still love it. It brings me such nostalgic memories from my school days. What is great about Boston is it is a walkable city, just like New York. I love cities where you can just walk and explore.”
“We always love to tour in Japan,” said Pentatonix’s Mitch Grassi. “The Japanese culture itself is so beautiful and welcoming to us, and the crowds are so full of love.”
“The percentage of my personal life has decreased considerably,” said Shoji Morimoto, author of the international bestseller “Rental Person Who Does Nothing”. “This is because I need to have more time outside for my work, rather than spending quiet time at home with just my family. However, it does not mean that I prefer either time more than the other. Both ways in which I spend time are equally important.”
“I’m Black and I grew up in the South, so I can only say that I’ve heard certain countries aren’t friendly to minorities,” said “Walker” actress Kearran Giovanni. “But honestly, I’ve felt unwelcome in places within my own country my whole life so nothing can shock me at this point. It wouldn’t stop me.”
“You can hear these influences a lot in my music wrapped up in a little pop bow, of course,” said musician Kentö. “I grew up listening to singers from all over the world like Freddie Mercury, Ivete Sangalo, Ayumi Hamasaki and Sylvie Vartan. (They’re) very different artists, but all iconic voices that I tried to emulate growing up and, in my own way, shaped the style and tone of my voice today.”
“So many people travel and get upset when it’s not like America,” said Dexter Darden, who is one of the stars of the “Saved by the Bell” reboot. “Abandon all privilege and immerse yourself in their lifestyle.”
“I first traveled (to Japan) as a kid with my father, who was a flight captain for a big German airline,” said “Devils” star Pia Mechler. “I was lucky to have seen many exotic destinations already at a young age, but Japan took my breath away. It’s a culture clash between the hyper-modern and the extremely traditional. I have loved it ever since and I cannot wait to travel there again.”
“I’ve always loved Japan,” says “Council of Dads” actress Sarah Wayne Callies. “It’s ancient and modern at the same time, from the food, to the clothes, to the architecture. I stayed in a ryokan that had been in the same family for 16 generations and ate kaiseki dinner every night.”
Best known for playing Katana in “Suicide Squad,” Karen Fukuhara will next be seen in the Amazon series, “The Boys” (premiering on July 26). Her resume also includes the feature film “Stray” and Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.” An avid traveler, the actress says she’d like to explore Southeast Asia next.
One of Japan’s most popular groups, Perfume became the first J-Pop act to ever take the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with a performance last weekend. Formed in 2000, the electro-pop trio will do another set at the fest’s Gobi Tent on Sunday. That concert will conclude Perfume’s U.S. tour to promote their album, “Future Pop.” Nocchi (Ōmoto Ayano), Kashiyuka (Kashino Yuka) and A-chan (Nishiwaki Ayaka) made the most of their Coachella experience: The group caught a bit of Ariana Grande’s show and attended parties hosted by Interscope and Moschino. The experience, they said, was a dream.
The Feldman brothers are on a hunt for more than treasure. In their new Travel Channel series, “Lost Gold,” Josh, 39, and Jesse, 44, seek to find forgotten gold mines and other pieces of history throughout America. The Arizona natives say that getting to see the world is a big perk of their job. “From my travels, I have learned to appreciate different cultures and to be open to new experiences,” says Josh. “I believe where we are from influences who we are. I think this is a beautiful thing and it should be celebrated.”
Not long after James Lee celebrated his 27th birthday, the Royal Pirates bassist was involved in a freak accident in Seoul that nearly severed his hand and left it permanently damaged. No longer able to feel the strings of his bass, he quit his band and returned home to California, where he was born and raised. Lee, 30, is celebrating his burgeoning solo career, which includes performances at KCON LA, a premiere party for his EP “The Light” and an acoustic duet of “Let’s Get Away” with his good friend Sooyoung (of Girls’ Generation).
Having your music cut out mid-song is a living nightmare for musicians. But if you have the wherewithal to go with the flow with the good and the bad, those moments also can become a highlight of the evening. During a concert in Osaka last year, J-Hope was faced with exactly this dilemma. He describes it as the worst thing that can happen at a show. But he handled it with aplomb.
After winning two bronze medals at the PyeongChang Olympics this year, Alex and Maia Shibutani made history by becoming the first skaters of Asian heritage to medal in ice dancing. “It was really special, because there hadn’t been a tradition of ice dance success for Asians,” says Alex, 26. “Whenever we compete anywhere in Asia, we always feel adopted and embraced by the locals.”
Host of CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” Erin Burnett has reported from Cuba, Afghanistan and Israel. Traveling is a big part of her life and the journalist says she is close to reaching her goal of exploring 100 countries. “I’ve visited 90, and I know I’ll always want to see more,” says Burnett, who is based out of New York.
New York Times best-selling author Min Jin Lee spent four years in Japan doing research on her sweeping novel, “Pachinko” (Grand Central Publishing, $27), which was a National Book Award finalist. The time spent overseas provided valuable insight for the New Yorker, who “was based in Tokyo, but I traveled often to Kyoto and Osaka. I had to research Osaka extensively, because so much of ‘Pachinko’ was set there.”
Born in Iowa and raised in Hawaii, actress Kiersten Warren (“Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” “13 Going on 30,” “Bunheads”) spent her youth traveling the world, singing in Baptist churches with her parents. After modeling in Japan for the likes of Fuji Film, Warren returned to the United States to launch her acting career. Her first role was on “Magnum P.I.” Warren resides in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter and has recently completed work on the horror film, “The Invisible Mother.”