Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama, born on August 16, 1990, in Niigata, Japan, is a British-Japanese singer, songwriter, model, and actress who has become one of the most exciting and boundary-pushing pop artists of her generation. She moved to London with her family when she was five years old and grew up in the city, later attending the University of Cambridge where she studied political science. Her multicultural identity and experiences navigating between Japanese and British cultures have profoundly shaped her artistic vision.

Sawayama began releasing music independently in the mid-2010s, gaining attention with singles like “Cyber Stockholm Syndrome” and her 2017 mini-album Rina. Her debut full-length album, Sawayama, was released in 2020 on Dirty Hit Records and received widespread critical acclaim. The album blended Y2K pop, nu-metal, R&B, and electronic music into a cohesive and innovative sound. It was championed by Elton John, who called Sawayama one of the most exciting new artists he had heard, and the two later collaborated on a remix of her single “Chosen Family.”

Her second album, Hold the Girl, was released in 2022 and debuted in the top five in the UK. The album explored themes of inner child healing and self-acceptance through a lens of euphoric pop and dance music. Beyond music, Sawayama expanded into acting, making her film debut in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), where she played the assassin Akira alongside Keanu Reeves. Her performance was praised and opened doors for further acting opportunities.

With an estimated net worth of $8 million in 2026, Rina Sawayama has built her wealth through music sales, touring, acting roles, modeling campaigns, and brand partnerships. She has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and Asian representation in Western media. Her influence extends beyond music into fashion and culture, making her a multifaceted artist with a growing global presence.