Leah Dizon (リア・ディゾン, Ria Dizon?) (born Leah Donna Dizon on September 24, 1986) is a American TV host, model, gravure idol, and singer. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, she moved to Tokyo, Japan in 2006 to pursue an entertainment career.Early life:
Dizon was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her mother is French-American, and her father is Chinese-Filipino. She is the fourth of six children: she has two older brothers, an older sister, and two younger brothers. She says she grew up listening to rock and R&B music. She took dance lessons and was in her high school theater. After graduating from high school, Dizon moved to Los Angeles, California.
Career:Dizon's career began at the age of 19 when she was offered a contract by a Japanese talent agency. She landed a phone company advertisement and made appearances at events as a booth babe. A few pictorials for various magazines followed. Soon thereafter, she moved to Tokyo.
In October 2006, she released her first photobook, titled Petite Amie (Girlfriend in French), which was ranked as the third best-selling photobook of 2006 and 2007.
On February 14, 2007, she released her first physical single, "Softly" under the Victor Entertainment label. It peaked at number #7 in the Oricon Weekly Chart. On the same day, she also released her second photobook titled Hello! Leah, which was ranked as the second best-selling photobook of 2007.
On May 30, 2007, Dizon released her second single "Koi Shiyō" (恋しよう♪?), which also peaked at #7 on the Oricon Weekly Chart. The title track is described as a 'grooving, up-tempo dance song' and the single features 2 B-sides: "Could you be that one?" and "Aishiteru～ Love Story" (アイシテル～ Love Story?). Koi Shiyō was used in a Lotte TV ad, while "Could you be that one?" was used in a PlayStation 3 Ninja Gaiden Sigma TV ad, with Dizon starring in both commercials.
Her third single entitled "L・O・V・E U" was released on August 8, 2007.On September 12, 2007, Dizon released her debut album, Destiny Line. The CD+DVD Edition contains 14 tracks, 10 of which were penned by Leah herself the single PVs as well as a special album PV "Again and Again". The CD Only Edition contains the digitally-released remix of "Koi Shiyō", called "Koi Shiyō♪ (Yasutaka Nakata-Capsule Mix)".
Dizon's third photobook titled Heaven, was released October 5, 2007. It includes a DVD.
Dizon released her fourth single entitled "Love Paradox" on March 26, 2008. The title track resembles a Westernized urban song and the B-side, "Under the Same Sky," is a mid-tempo ballad. The same day, she also released her fourth photobook, "Pure Leah."
On April 18 it was announced that Leah's song, "Under the Same Sky", will be used as the theme song for the Japanese drama, Tokyo Prom Queen. Leah will also make a guest appearance on the show as Naomi, the prom queen from the previous year.
Her fifth single, "Vanilla", was released on June 25, 2008. Her second album, Communication!!!, was released August 20, 2008.
Dizon's first concert DVD, LIVE Communication!!! was released on December 10, 2008. The DVD features live performances of songs from both her albums.
Personal life:On October 10, 2008, Dizon married a Japanese stylist. She revealed that she was pregnant on her official website. These initial stages were chronicled and announced during Dizon's Communication!!! Album Tour several days after the marriage.
The couple had their first child, a daughter named Mila (美蘭, Miran?), on April 24, 2009. Dizon has stated that she hopes to make a return to the entertainment industry.
Appearances:
Dizon has been sought by numerous brands to endorse their products. Throughout her career, she has promoted products that ranged from electronics (Sony Cybershot) to various snack foods and cosmetics. Among the products she has advertised on television are Recruit, Lotte, PlayStation 3, JVC, Coca-Cola, Fuji, and Kao Corporation.
Films:-Traffic in the Sky as Liane (2007)
TV shows:
-Webtama as a co-host (2007)
-Sakigake Ongaku Banzuke Vegas as host (2007)
-J-melo as host (2007)
Discography
Singles:
Fever (Kylie Minogue cover song)
1st digital single (Digital download)
-Released: October 5, 2006
-Oricon Top 20 Weekly Peak: n/a
-From Album: Non-Album single
Softly
(Debut/1st single)
-Released: February 14, 2007
-Oricon Top 20 Weekly Peak: 7
-From Album: Destiny Line
Koi Shiyō♪ (恋しよう♪)
(2nd single)
-Released: May 30, 2007
-Oricon Top 20 Weekly Peak: 7
-From Album: Destiny Line
L・O・V・E U(3rd single)
-Released: August 8, 2007
-Oricon Top 20 Weekly Peak: 14
-From Album: Destiny Line
Love Paradox
(4th single)
-Released: March 26, 2008
-Oricon Top 20 Weekly Peak: 15
-From Album: Communication!!!
Vanilla
(5th single)
-Released: June 25, 2008
-Oricon Top 30 Weekly Peak: 26
-From Album: Communication!!!
Albums:Destiny Line
-1st Album
-Released: September 12, 2007
-Oricon top 200 position: #9
Communication!!!
-2nd Album
-Released: August 20, 2008
-Oricon top 200 position: #16
