Rina Sawayama: 'Therapy made me realise I was groomed at 17' - BBC News

Rina Sawayama has been called ‘the future of queer pop music’.
The Japanese-British singer speaks to the BBC’s gender and identity correspondent Meghan Mohan about her frustrations with the music industry, how her sexuality informs her art and growing up with racism in the UK.
She also reveals, for the first time, the deeply personal and devastating inspiration behind her album.
In Conversation is a collaboration between BBC Three and the BBC World Service.
Please subscribe here: bit.ly/1rbfUog
#RinaSawayama #BBCNews

[@rohannair9945]

What an amazing and insightful interview! Props to the interviewer for asking the right questions and getting rina to open up

[@winstoningram99]

Not sure you can really be groomed at 17. Seems a bit old.

[@public.public]

The interviewee was more than willing to get the free publicity and score some sympathy points. However at 17 a choice is a choice. Blaming her choice on someone else because she regrets a relationship much much later is pathetic.

[@rohannair9945]

17 is still young and especially when their is an imbalance in the power dynamics of the two parties

[@alisonk5081]

This interview was aired the morning Rina performed the Seattle show and the show was so emotional and beautiful. I could feel her passion and healing through her performances. She is truly an amazing performer and a beautiful soul 💗 Hold the girl is so special to me because when i first listened to it I felt so seen and I didn't feel alone. Her music is truly euphoric. Rina deserves the world 💗

[@herndik]

the applause and roar of the crowd during the moment she shared this was outstanding. so well deserved and I'm glad she was able to receive that praise and acknowledgement

[@beacheung]

I was at this show and the amount of emotional catharsis expressed and felt by all was profound. ❤

[@jokatal]

It was a great performance of "Your Age" and it's from the lyrics what it's about. I had a feeling this was coming someday. I'm glad she's feeling empowered. I hope this guy gets named and shamed soon. 💪

[@liviamedeiros8583]

"Hold the girl" is a very deep album and you are very brave for expressing everything, we (fans) love this album and all its songs, thank you for this wonderful interview 💗 wish you all the best, Rina!!

[@lustforlimerence]

to anyone who is blaming rina for what happened to her when she was 17: i hope that if you ever have children, that they never get manipulated into a relationship with their 30-something year old teachers. not just because it's disgusting, vile and perverse of a teacher to do that to a student, but also because you've clearly shown here that you would rather call a victim "attention-seeking", "naive", or "lacking accountability" than call a predator a predator. any child who has ever gone through that trauma would only suffer further at the hands of parents as shitty as you. no student should ever have to go to school worried if their teacher will make romantic/sexual advances on them. school policy and laws (people love to point out that age of consent in the uk is 16, but it's been illegal for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student under 18 since 2001) exist for a reason.

[@aaronrohland9381]

bro 17 if u cant think half straight with 17 ur prob never can and callin some 1 a predator because he was in a relasionship with a 17year old girl that wanted it 2 is just disgusting

[@sensitiffly]

@@aaronrohland9381 someone should check your hard drive

[@singaporekako]

It’s a shame that I didn’t know her until today! I think many of us, Japanese, have never heard of her. I admire her for sharing her bitter experience at 17. I wonder why Japanese media do not interview her or feature her music in Japan. What an amazing lady!

[@Lilllllly]

Rina, I’m so sorry you went through that kind of abuse (9:32) . Thank you for sharing your experiences through your brilliant and artistic songwriting. You are brave, and your songs are relatable, relevant and cathartic for child abuse survivors. Again, thank you for sharing your painful experiences through art with the world.

[@alterlife7]

there are so many special moments in this interview and i always appreciate rina for her honesty and vulnerability. it takes courage to face your traumas, revisit it through creative outlets, and to share it with the masses. hold the girl has got to be one of the bravest and rawest pieces of work i’ve encountered, and i felt her intensity as it mirrored my own. i resonate so deeply with the dissonance of being an asian diaspora and tending to the inner child who has been a victim of adult(s) who took advantage rather than protect us. so proud of rina, her inner child and the woman she became ❤️✨

[@BPEBM]

Wow this comment section mostly does not pass the vibe check. She's amazing and her healing journey is admirable.

[@puppieparfait]

right no one here has any drop of human decency, the second someone opens up about something so hard for them people in the comments start victim blaming or bible thumping its so disgusting

[@Bunnilove100]

Completely agree. As an Asian woman who has experienced similar traumas that Rina has, her music & story have really helped me heal.

[@nocturn738]

As a straight male who has gone through child abuse and has seen many close friends of the LGBTQ community go through so much, it hurt a lot to watch the video. I've always had a lingering understanding of what she meant in her music, and it's why I admire her so much. I hope there's nothing but happiness for her, or anyone struggling with such pain.

[@simpdefendmlady6579]

Where are bbc's reports about Jaqueline Ma teacher of the year, Ellen Shell teacher, Haley Reed teacher, Amanda Doll Johnston, Andrea Serrano, Andie Rosafort, Jennifer Hawkins, Leigh Felton, Alissa Mccommon,Tracy Smith etc? You know, actual r apes that were proven in count?

[@robinson1523]

“Hold the Girl” was a masterpiece thank you Rina for sharing your vulnerability with the world we love you ❤❤

[@kk3gx]

Rina is such a cool person! The way she shared her experience is really powerful. This conversation inspires me a lot. Thank you!❤

[@ludosaenz3116]

Saw her at Lollapalooza this year! A great singer and performer! wish the best for her

[@hautedoctor2738]

I have mixed parentage, and have faced similar attitudes that Rina has regarding being profiled as a Japanese tour guide. However, when people ask me questions about the different countries in my heritage, it's usually because they are genuinely interested in them, and trying to fill a gap in their ignorance. If I feel like it's a tokenistic conversation, I'll say something like "I wish I could tell you more about X country but I've only been as a child...maybe check out Y for more information." I haven't had many of these interactions, as people usually have decent social skills and don't racially profile you. I think Rina's experiences demonstrate the types of social circle that she runs in, where people have less experience socialising with people of varying ethnicities.

[@lfeb]

I love how eloquently she expresses the frustration of having the pressure to 'represent' a culture that might be your family's, but it's not really yours. There's way too much impotence put on race, when really it's culture...race is kinda made up, people are not different creatures they just have shared traits from ancestors being born in a location and breeding with others from that location... it's not like dogs, people are not different like a Chow Chow verse a poodle.

[@m007mm]

Nonsense. You talk make believe ideology, not facts. There are different humanoid races. One might even say different species or different hybrid species.

[@fabioazevedo9457]

I really like Rina's way of being a popstar. She can give you looks, vocals and performances (love that!). And she is also insightful and seems to think about the community she's in. (here I'm referring to the entire society)

[@euphoria186]

Rina Sawayama is amazing and we love her! ❣️

[@evenif7431]

It would be so interesting if musicians were able to unionize the way that actors have

[@blob2012]

What a well spoken queen! Have so much love and respect for Rina

[@dodongai]

I’m originally from HK and having studied both in the UK and America for sometime, I noticed that Caucasian Brits made me feel less human (I felt like I was the Asian) whereas talking to an white American made me feel human? It’s hard to explain but i totally understand what Rina means.. and people just wanting to talk about your race and background and not necessarily you as a person

[@wev2344]

💯 % correct!

[@vlowolvtake1797]

It might be Europe in general. I'm suddenly associated with Tokyo, sushi and ninja😂 *sigh*

[@GabrielSouza-cg1hn]

Rina is an extraordinary person, I love her honesty and her art so much

[@niccxxl]

So many comments here are so disgusting and insensitive, trying to invalidate Rina (and countless other women's) experience. Rina, you are so brave and thank you for your honesty. ❤

[@Bartholomew_Musgrave]

No one’s invalidating anyone. Meaningless jargon. You invalidate a driving license. Not a human being.

[@nikitashutup-]

so proud of her for sharing her story❤️❤️❤️ I hope she knows she’s touching so many people✨❤️

[@sophiemaloney8965]

rina is such a talent ! love this interview 🫶

[@ruddiko]

We knew Rina, we understood, thank you for your amazing work

[@beenthecowboy3202]

rina's art means everything to me

[@vidyakarant9798]

This was a great interview. Megha asked interesting questions and Rina answered them sincerely 👍💯

[@jslee4613]

love you ❤❤❤❤your music is always amazing

[@SuperSmartGas]

amazing News ,we love her so much And i like this video ❤❤

[@thomasfm]

she is a true superstar

[@SomathHandToolRescue-gk9ul]

That's to much adorable

[@Guardian__Angel]

She's very smart and very grounded.

[@Pou1gie1]

@6:05 Rappers lie about their age too. Nikki Minaj has been shaving off 5-7 years until recently when ppl found out she is in her 40s. It's no about the genre, it is about the gender. Men are told they are never too old for anything, even younger women (i.e. Al Pacino with a woman 60 years younger). As a woman, if you are with a man 5 years younger, people treat you like a pariah or make fun of you for it.

[@paulgibbons2320]

@@user-fi7uh5zh3i what do you know about women freak boy. Your mother's virgina is the last one you saw and you were on the way out of it. Women really hate annonimous stalker types who can't even put a name on their profile. They really are weak feeble minded scum.

[@EricaMartinezAtabei]

Excellent interview! Thank you❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@belleespa]

rina is incredible

[@paigedehaan]

Love you Rina❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@attestthesun]

My heart ❤️‍🩹 thank you so much for sharing, Rina. Too many of us can relate. In your healing process, you’ve helped so many others heal and feel less alone as well. The power of music ❤️

[@yannieso4889]

Rina ❤

[@lukekristianto7594]

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@TokyoPaul]

Yay for first-generation Asians growing up/living in a Western country! I am one, too.

[@PhilipMarcYT]

Fancy way of saying immigrant.

[@redtaperecorder1]

Whats a glorious time to be alive. Women like Rina finally getting the due they deserve! 20 years ago she probably wouldn't have been more than a backup dancer...

[@goodtohaveinajam8148]

Dear woman, and a creative powerhouse. So good, to hear her story of finding balance. Guys. Stop abusing women!! It really messes them up, listen to her!! Show respect, always.

[@hanawana]

adore her

[@davidhparker]

This just cracked me open in all the best ways

[@BT-gl3kv]

We love you Rina❤

[@earthworldserver]

Rina is so mature divine empress .

[@Zpdpn]

She’s like me I thought it was geniune loved but I was emotionally groomed

[@scipioafricanus4875]

I enjoyed this interview insightful

[@gibtargibberish7389]

Devastating childhood. Amazing persistence through all of the safety nets of wealth. You are a beacon of light amidst the constant self promoting blinding light.

[@bex1950]

Lots of love to Rina ❤❤

[@FJCHANNEL786]

Wow very nice❤❤❤❤

[@jr-eo5be]

i live and die for her

[@callanrose]

rina 4evr🥹

[@ariel_monaco]

0:30 note to the video producers on "sugar pack" comment while the subject is drinking a "sugar free" coke, kudos

[@steveseok7740]

ミケランジェロの芸術は美しさよりもその美しさを越える力があり、人々の感激を引き起こす。 彼女は その力の中心に立っています。 😍😍😍😍😍

[@Pou1gie1]

@11:00 I wonder how much of the "slut shaming" she experienced was actually due to her being Asian and having had an illicit relationship with a Yt teacher in his 30s. She said she went to Yt schools and was objectified for being Asian, so it stands to reason that she wouldn't be viewed as a victim as much as a Yt girl would. Asian women are often hyper-sexualized in western society. Also, England has a law that 16 and up is legal, although they are considering changing it.

[@avenged42]

Where does she say he was yt? I'm pretty sure if he was, she would definitely have mentioned it

[@acetofresh1]

@@avenged42Dude it’s England lol. If he was not white it’s more anomalous than not.

[@Bartholomew_Musgrave]

⁠@@acetofresh1It wouldn’t be anomalous in London. Which is where she grew up. London is barely 50% white, and a lot less than that English.

[@nuqwestr]

"Nudge Theory" same as grooming and economist was given Nobel Prize for the theory.

[@markring40]

Great piece!!

[@amandaaugust4803]

She is such a talented singer.❤ Go Rina!🎉

[@realTLC]

Excellent interview!!!!!!!!!!

[@ucevrim]

if you are dating someone in their 30s when you are 17 you should know that's not normal.

[@whizzardblizzard5696]

Yeah, that 30-something should’ve been knew.

[@lfeb]

Slut shaming is horrible. Yes you get weirdly pressured to do stuff you might not be ready for, but it is a time when you are just curious and want to explore who you are...as long as it's consensual it shouldn't be looked down on... it's almost like being a scientist of life figuring out what works for you

[@salbaby123]

She's me

[@lionelramsal7354]

Chris Blackwell from Island record was a PIMP. Bob Marley.

[@gracegui4910]

Totally get her. Yeah it’s annoying.

[@elidagjika8741]

Is your age about this?

[@lucas10armond]

linda

[@danthomas4198]

才能を否定するべきではない。どういうりなさまの才能？わずかだけの言葉を選べば、新た。新ただ。新鮮。予想意外。びっくりさせること。別なスタイルを組み合わせ、面白いコンビネーション。 とくに、前の人が思い浮かべなかったことをすること。まるでイギリス人。

[@BertBobRobert]

Where are her eyebrows?

[@timothykings6243]

By a peado ??????

[@ariel_monaco]

めっちゃ軽薄な会話

[@houseplant1016]

R.I.P😞

[@donaldmcdonald7350]

Wake Me Up When September Ends

[@bobstevens457]

OT: Benny Hill considered funnier than Monty Python by two TV stations--WOR and WLVI.

[@LOUN.]

So is the teacher arrested?

[@diasflac0g]

No. He didn't r@pe her. He spit game on her and she fell for him and gave it up. Now she's just calling it "grooming" lmao.

[@uarmihope]

⁠@@diasflac0gbecause it is gr00ming…her bf back then was a 30yr old while she was a minor… just because he didn’t r@pe her doesn’t mean he wasn’t a bad guy

[@barbaramateran6960]

​@diasflac0g Minors can't consent, and grown adults shouldn't be "spitting game" on them. Gross.

[@diasflac0g]

@@barbaramateran6960 You can complain all you want, but a 17 year old isn't a child. I understand that in 2023 even 30 year olds are "children" now days lmao. A 17 year old girl knows what the hell she's doing already. That's not a "little kid" anymore. The bottom line is that this teacher spit some game on her, she found him attractive for sure and she fell for him and gave it up to him. Is that simple. Now that she's 30+ and a feminist, all of a sudden that game the teacher dropped on her turned into "grooming" when she willing spread her legs for him haha 🤣

[@DingoBingo4000]

pan-fried

[@SalmanovGadzhimurad-pj9qq]

После введение системы контроля бриллиантов по всему миру

[@Rsz_kaz]

Big black cawk

[@lionelramsal7354]

I feel 7 is too old. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

[@mrnarason]

W H OMEGALUL

[@reeling-in]

There has been grooming in Britain as well, but the BBC ‘legacy and history’ correspondent has been on a long holiday!

[@hartshaped]

You realise that she’s literally talking about an experience in Britain?

[@winterrising8738]

WHOOOOOOOO?????? bb

[@emotivelyy_]

Kalergi plan.

[@bucketlisttrek3863]

No, thanks

[@taro5806]

She looks like a Otsubone-sama in the Edo period in Japanese

[@dinanga_revert]

now i regret googling what that is....

[@puppieparfait]

leave my wife alone

[@tobehonest7541]

This is not news.

[@Dorgon_HetuAla]

辱华了。 中国人的玻璃心碎了一地！

[@SalmanovGadzhimurad-pj9qq]

Мы ограничим торговлю российскими алмазами. Российские алмазы не вечны, и мы открыто и откровенно объясним, почему эти санкции необходимы и оправданы», - сказал он. во всех заколотим кто против этой истины и даже на вторичном рынке запретим алмазы из России в течение 5-7 лет навсегда

[@gibtargibberish7389]

Pomp and circumstance in one scene.

[@Lifesthankfullpromisebelieve]

So she's a she-he ?

[@Lifesthankfullpromisebelieve]

Confusing with all these names , pansexual would make sense if you could use both sides of the pan 🤔, but you can't 🤣🤣🤣 people can't tell their ass from their elbow anymore

[@Lifesthankfullpromisebelieve]

​@user-fi7uh5zh3i I get it , she's a lady and finds both men and women attractive, wouldn't that be bi sexual ?

[@Bartholomew_Musgrave]

Like most of these invented sexualities, pansexuals haven’t got the foggiest who or what they’re even supposed to fancy. They probably have to scribble it on the back of their hands each morning, just in case they start eyeing up the wrong kind of creature later in the day. One thing is for sure, anyone declaring themselves a pansexual being is almost certainly going to turn out to be a complete idiot.

[@fredo1070]

Why isn't the BBC talking about Sweden calling in the army to deal with migrants. Is that why they joined NATO?

[@langraman8756]

Sweden treating Russian migrants so badly

[@shirleycameron7718]

I can't stand people like these that keep complaining .....these two really look scary as scarescrow......!

[@babalonkie]

Because migrants are no new thing... and NATO has no commitment to deal with migrants. Sweden Joined NATO because nasty Putin thought he was bigger than he actual is.

[@caveactivists]

I am resolute and I said that traders of wine for Irish potatoes although is invited yes I know that the confrontation must be confronted with real bread crumbs plated at the red heads house so I may break in and take back our poodles slash show dog with spike teeth

[@ImNoctica]

Who?

[@tonysherwood9619]

Oh yes publicity£££ by the way - does american foreign policy make you more fascist? Try the 'French Rubber Boat Company' - sunak&macron have a vested interest at your expense!

[@aaronrohland9381]

imagine wanting 2 date some 1 older and years later u decide 2 call them a groomer on the internet women logic

[@jieli3313]

im Sorry! I forgot that China does not have judicial independence! xi jing ping words is the king's law!

[@ring-tone278]

Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie..

[@ring-tone278]

1Timothy 4:1 The Spirit explicitly says..some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

[@gajoratte]

Tibetan Book of the Dead “Are you oblivious to the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death? There is no guarantee that you will survive, even past this very day! The time has come [for you] to develop perseverance in [your] practice. For, at this singular opportunity, you could attain the everlasting bliss [of nirvāṇa]. So now is [certainly] not the time to sit idly, But, starting with [the reflection on] death, you should bring your practice to completion! The moments of our life are not expendable, And the [possible] circumstances of death are beyond imagination. If you do not achieve an undaunted confident security now, What point is there in your being alive, O living creature?”

[@Lifesthankfullpromisebelieve]

Confusing with all these names , pansexual would make sense if you could use both sides of the pan 🤔, but you can't 🤣🤣🤣 people can't tell their ass from their elbow anymore

[@andrereloaded1425]

@13:15 She talks about ''straight white men'' running the music industry while wearing the very outfit associated with a straight white man. Kinda funny.

[@zonumanaid]

it's called camp

[@euphoria186]

it’s almost as if… you missed the point

[@andrereloaded1425]

@@euphoria186 She likes the way they dress.

[@euphoria186]

@@andrereloaded1425 she likes the way she looks wearing “their” clothes

[@andrereloaded1425]

@@euphoria186 It's a shame. She's really pretty, but *that* suit.. like spoiling a good painting.

[@bestrealone2024]

Why this bbc and cnn is not reporting about biden impeachment. And also 10000 ukrainian surenders this weekm??????

[@babalonkie]

They already reported the announcement of the process last month... Biden has not been impeached so there is nothing new to report... but if you go onto there website it shows updates about the process... and there is little significant progress or news on the matter. And because we in UK only care about Putin getting his nasty ass kicked... What do think you are revealing a secret or something!? We hate Putin... we have said that for two decades... it's not a secret.

[@public.public]

Both have reported on the matter of impeachment. But there isn't an impeachment so nothing to report. You really do have to catch up with the news. And hey your Putin is a loser!

[@achd73]

we need to preach against this group of creatures that are corrupting society

[@Mizzkan]

I agree, Like the BBC. The most evil and corrupt Corporation in the UK today

[@zonumanaid]

teachers who groom their students? I agree