hanabi the k

August 28, 2023
interview eden roux & cyril vinchon — translation cathy gastellu

Interview with the multi-talented artist and SB!’s latest cover star.

Who is Hanabi the K? Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

Hanabi the K is a versatile, multi-talented music artist. Passionate, imaginative and authentic.

How would you describe your career in the world of arts so far?

My career in the arts world has been fascinating and enriching. I’ve been interested in music, fashion and dance ever since I was little, and I started to try my hand at different art forms over the years. I developed skills that opened doors for me to explore different genres and styles in greater detail.

I also gave lessons and took part in a lot of music and dance competitions and festivals all over the world, and I have 115 trophies under my belt. Being chosen for advertising campaigns or doing runways for major fashion houses helped me get a name for myself and meet other, very inspiring artists. I also worked really hard to hone and develop my skills, which helped me blaze my own trail, discover the world, write my own songs, stage my own events and live through some unique and memorable experiences. A career in the arts is never easy, but every experience helped me to grow and develop as an artist. I’ve given concerts, done studio recordings and worked with other talented musicians. I’m proud of how far I have come, and I still draw on new influences and experiences to create a style that reflects my personality and that strikes a chord with others. It’s made me a legend in the Kiki Scene since March 2023 in the Voguing world.

Can you think of any events that have had a lasting influence on you and, if so, have they had an impact on the way you see the world as an artist and on the way you express yourself?

Yes, there were some events that had a significant impact on the way I see the world as an artist and on the way I express myself. For example, I was extremely disturbed by socio-political events occurring worldwide. They made me realize the importance of music as a way of conveying messages and inviting people to think. They were events that encouraged me to use my music as a way of addressing social issues and sharing my beliefs, such as being yourself, being free to be someone different and express yourself. Music creates emotional connections and is a wonderful way of putting powerful messages across.

On the other hand, there are also some personal experiences that had a real impact on me – moments of joy, sadness and doubt. Those times nourished my creativity and influenced the way I express myself through my music or in Voguing balls. I’m convinced that authenticity and emotion are crucial aspects in creating a connection with my audience. All these events served to strengthen my firm belief that music has the power to change the world and to move people right to their very soul. It’s something that encouraged me to keep expressing myself sincerely and to share my stories through my infinite art.

Voguing, modeling and music give you many different waysof expressing yourself. Why did you choose these forms of artistic expression over others, and what does each one bring you personally?

That’s right; I’ve been lucky to be able to express myself through different art forms like voguing, modeling and music. Each form of expression has something unique about it and they are all complementary.

Voguing is a movement created in the 70s by the Latino and Afro-American LGBTQ+ community, mainly in New York, and which arrived in Paris in around 2010. It represents freedom, self-expression and self-acceptance. Voguing helps me connect with my body, explore my emotions and tell stories through dance. It’s a powerful way to celebrate my own identity and to convey a strong message with true meaning.

As for modeling, it’s an entry point for me to explore the fashion world and work with talented designers. I love the visual aspect of modeling and the opportunity to adopt different characters in different ways, play around with codes through clothing, be masculine or feminine, express beauty in different ways, explore esthetics and creativity.

Music is actually my true passion — it allows me to express myself through words, melodies and sounds. It’s a way of sharing my emotions, thoughts and experiences with the world. Music has the power to deeply move people and to create an emotional connection. It also enables me to work with other artists and create unique experiences. Each of the different art forms makes me incredibly happy and I can express myself in ways that are a true reflection of my personality and of who I am. They are complementary and help me explore different aspects of my creativity and personality.

You’ve traveled the world recently — can you tell us a bit about that?

That’s right, I was lucky enough to travel the world recently. The journeys I made were just incredible experiences. I discovered new cultures, met inspiring people and was able to immerse myself in some unexpected environments. Each destination I visited brought with it its own set of discoveries and inspiration for my music and for my other forms of artistic expression.

For example, I signed a contract as a model for an agency and went to Hong Kong for three months in July 2022. I was fascinated by the wealth of the culture, esthetics and creativity the country exudes. I also gave concerts in music festivals in Europe, such as in Warsaw for the Posequeer  this summer (2023), where I was able to sing my new single Sweet for a bit of fun.

I performed for the first time in Los Angeles in November 2022 at the Banji Ball, then headed for Marrakech to shoot an advertising campaign for the incredible brand of perfume Spiritum by Jonathan DuFour.  I rounded off the year wonderfully in Athens, where I won the OTA (Open to All) Runway grand prix under my House name: Hanabi Miyake Mugler.

2023 was a special year for me, as during my month’s stay in New York in March, I was honored to represent my country and my dark-skin people. I took part in the famous OTA for the second time — it’s a cult voguing venue in New York and I won the OTA Performance prize.

London was also an electrifying experience: I participated in the Powerful Ball this summer, wearing an outfit made of flowers and petals. And I’ve actually just come back from Copenhagen, where I was invited to judge a kiki ball.

The journeys opened my mind and opened doors for me to new experiences, and gave me a chance to nurture my creativity. They also strengthened my belief that art and music cross frontiers and overcome cultural barriers. I’m really grateful to have had the chance to discover different parts of the world, and I hope to be able to travel more in the future to explore new places that will grow my creativity and be part of my artistic inspiration.

In the editorial you contributed to for Sacrebleu! (thank you very much!), you’re dressed in dark colors, covered in a ghostly kind of veil, and we can just see your piercing eyes through the fabric. Have you already felt the kind of melancholy feeling that that image exudes?  

That’s a really nice thing to say and I’m delighted to have been able to contribute to the editorial for Sacrebleu!. Yes, I guess a kind of melancholy feeling transpires from the image described in the editorial. As an artist, it’s something I’ve often felt, a deep introspection that sometimes surfaces when I explore the darker and more inward-looking aspects of our art. Then there’s the unknown, a whole mystery that builds up, and it’s a powerful emotion that connects us to our own vulnerability. It’s important though to note that being melancholy is just one facet of my imagination and personality. I embody a character, just as I do when I’m on the runway. I can also express joy, energy and other emotions through my music and my other forms of artistic expression.

Your triumph over adversity that underpins the artistic dream, and asserting your identity seem to be an integral part of your art. Do you have any advice for those who are looking for inspiration and answers?

Be true to yourselves and never give up. The road to making your dreams a reality and asserting your identity can be scattered with obstacles and doubts. It’s important to be true to yourself, to hold on to your values and to your artistic vision. Don’t be afraid to express your authenticity and take some risks. Surround yourself with positive, inspiring people. The people who support and encourage you are crucial to whether you make it or not. Seek out mentors, colleagues and friends who share your passion and believe in you. Their advice and support can be valuable in helping you overcome obstacles and finding your own light. Accept challenges as opportunities. Difficulties and setbacks are part of the whole ball game. Instead of being defeatist, try to see them as opportunities to grow and learn. Each challenge you overcome will make you stronger and bring you closer to achieving your aim.

Remember to take care of yourself, and take care of your mental and physical health. Take a break when you feel you need to, and nourish yourself with sources of inspiration.

Do you have any projects in the pipeline?

Yes, I’ve got several irons in the fire. Right now, I’m working on new songs for my personal project and on new musical projects with other people. I’m really enthusiastic about them and I can’t wait to share them with my fans. “I’m going to drop new sounds for you in October, guys!”.

I’m also planning some new collaborative artistic projects, in dance, fashion and visuals. I like to explore different forms of artistic expression and I’m always open to new experiences. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work on these projects and I can’t wait for them to come to fruition so that I can share them with the world.

A motto?

Ready Ready Ready let’s go!

“Let’s just be ourselves.” I firmly believe in the importance of being true to ourselves, expressing our authenticity and daring to exist. By embracing our individuality and being creatively daring we can have a powerful impact on the world, and inspire others to embark on the same journey.