Beckii Cruel Interview

"Keep trying hard! I was shown that my dream was achievable, so never think the impossible can't happen."- Beckii Cruel

Once upon a time a teenage girl hit on the idea to record herself dancing to Japanese pop music and upload the videos to the internet. Nothing unusual about that -- teens post their best dance moves for everyone to see all the time. But after the view count of this particular teen's videos rose up into the millions it was becoming clear that there was something very special about her. Hailing from the Isle of Man, Beckii Cruel has found a way to naturally capture the kawaii spirit that Japanese culture so adores.

Now the subject of a BBC documentary and singing her own original songs in Japan, Beckii Cruel still manages to keep a level head about her unexpected internet celebrity status, saying: "I get lots of emails asking about the best way to become famous. I have to tell them that I don't know, because I didn't go looking for it. I would just say to everyone, enjoy what you do, and don't hang everything on a wish to be famous."

You're currently visiting Japan. What all do you have planned for this trip?

Well, its all a bit secret, but I am working with one of my YouTube friends on something really good, and a bit different from anything I've done before! What else? Well, I am guest modeling at Tokyo Girls Collection fashion show which is just brilliant. I did their last show in the spring when my dad and I had to go to Tokyo for the weekend! I am doing a couple of photo shoots for some fashion magazines as well. It is always busy out in Tokyo, and there are always things that crop up when people find out I am here.

What's been your favorite thing about returning to Japan so far?

Gosh, I think the best thing about coming back this time is that there were people actually waiting for autographs and pictures at the airport! That was really incredible. Overall though, I just love it out here. I love seeing all my old friends and just being part of a wonderful city again.

Looking back to your earlier visits, what memories stand out as your favorite?

I think that incredible, first time I visited, when I was on the stage for the finale of Animelo Super-live. There were 25,000 people in the audience, all with glow sticks, in the Saitama Super Arena. It was just magical. I will never forget it. Along with that, I just love going out at the end of a busy trip with the team I have been working with, and letting our hair down at a Karaoke bar!

Did you have any embarrassing moments adjusting to life in Tokyo?

Haha! I am still learning Japanese, so my pronunciation isn't always brilliant! That always makes Fuji, my manager laugh! But overall, it has been pretty good. He has been there to make sure I don't do anything too crazy!

Your latest song is called You Can't Kiss Me. Can you tell us the story of how this song was written and recorded?

Oh wow, it is such a great story. Tom Nichols, the producer I am working with, had me ready to record three equally as good tracks. The night before he rang up and said; 'scrap that idea, we've written a new one!' The lyrics weren't even finished at that stage. I went to Universal Music's studios in Fulham, and recorded it there with Tom, and a great writer called George Nakas. By the time we finished the recording, the song wasn't even a day old!

How did you feel about it after the song was finished?

It is great working with people at that level. When you hear the raw track played back through thousands of pounds worth of recording equipment, right after you have finished it, it is like, wow, I did that!

How different is it performing for a Japanese crowd compared to making a video back home?

Hmmm. Making a video in the UK is quite a bit different. We tried something different for Girls wanna have some fun in London. The big difference I think is the Japanese are much more ready to get involved and join in.

Do you ever have to pinch yourself to remind you of what an amazing opportunity you are getting to experience?

All the time! The biggest thing to remember is that I never went looking for all this attention. I was just a girl dancing away to J-Pop, like loads of others. I have just been so lucky, and I am having a brilliant time!

What are your plans once you return home?

Do I have to think about it? OK, well, it is straight back to school the day after we get back. Busy year this year, with exams and stuff. I like getting back to see my friends, and catch up with mail and what has been happening.

Let's get to know you a little better. How did you first get into dancing to Japanese music?

It was manga that was to blame! I found some in a bookshop in Douglas, on the Isle of Man where I live, and found it really unusual and interesting. From that I started watching anime, and then it just progressed from there into getting more interested in J-Pop and Japan in general. I started teaching myself the dances, and some Japanese, and it sort of went from there.

What about that type of music interested you so?

I think it is just so different to western music. It really relates to Japan. But then again, I have really wide tastes in music. Eminem is just the best!

Is there something specific about Japanese culture that you most admire?

It is such a respectful culture. Everyone takes pride in what they do, and they genuinely care about being kind to each other, and not hurting people's feelings. I think there is a lot to learn from them.

Who are your favorite Japanese musicians or personalities?

I would have to say I love The GazettE. The visual kei style is very cool, and it's nice to listen to some stronger music once in a while. However I do always love a bit of Perfume, and I'm really liking Kinoco Hotel. I usually don't listen to the Japanese girl groups as music, more as dancing music.

The number of hits on your YouTube videos are impressive. Can you tell us the story of how you recorded and uploaded your first few ones?

Me and my brother had always liked making little animation films, and mum had a great Apple Macbook. I used the iSight camera on there, and it was really easy to edit films using iMovie. It just sort of went from there. Nowadays I use a Sanyo HD camera, and have just started using my iPhone4, which has produced some great results. I have also moved on to Final Cut Express for editing, so things are getting a little more polished. I still do it all myself though.

Were you surprised at the attention they began to get?

Yeah, it was really strange watching the numbers rack up. A lot of it was to do with the videos being uploaded to Nico Nico Douga, which is a sort of very Japanese YouTube. People started to check out the videos on YouTube after that. Danjo was the big one though. When that hit 250,000 I was amazed. It isn't far off 2.5 million now!

Tell us a little about how you come up with your dance moves.

Most of them I take off the anime dances for a particular song. My own stuff is really just a mixture of those.

Your family has a background in professional dancing?

Yep! Mum is a fully qualified teacher of dance. She doesn't do it anymore, but she still is able to help me when I am stuck!

What type of classes have you had?

I still go to ballet, and have done some modern classes too.

Can you tell us a little about your home on the Isle of Man and what it's like growing up there?

The Isle of Man is a safe, beautiful island that is very quiet for most of the year. It goes mad for two weeks with the TT motorbike races, which is always good fun. Growing up here has been pretty good, although I came here when I was two so don't have much to compare it to. We have a lot more freedom as kids though, because it is so safe, and everyone knows everyone else.

What was it like for you when the BBC aired the documentary "Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14"?

It had been hard work making it, because the timescale it was done in was really short. It wasn't too big a deal, because I have done lots of TV work in Japan. It was good to watch, but I think there were some bits which weren't really that well done. I think my mum and dad were given quite a hard time by some critics. That wasn't very fair. They are just so supportive and protective.

Outside of singing and dancing what do you do for fun?

I just do things that any other teenage girl does. I like shopping, going to the movies, and painting crazy pictures on my nails. We have fun sleepovers, and I must get round to learning the guitar properly. I have four of them!

Do you have plans for after high school yet?

School is going good, and I hope that I will be able to go to university. I like languages, and am getting more and more interested in the fashion industry. Being able to combine both of those would be cool. Every few months something new keeps coming up, so I am just concentrating on getting good grades to keep my choices open.

Do you have anything else you want to bring up or comment on?

I think one important thing is about fame and celebrity. I get lots of emails asking about the best way to become famous. I have to tell them that I don't know, because I didn't go looking for it. I would just say to everyone, enjoy what you do, and don't hang everything on a wish to be famous. Sometimes, it just happens.

Do you have a final message to all your fans?