Sekiguchi Mandy |
Sekiguchi Mandy (関口メンディー) is a Japanese-American performer, actor and rapper. He is a former member of the groups GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, EXILE, HONEST BOYZ® and EXILE B HAPPY.
On April 27, 2014, he joined EXILE after becoming one of the winners of the EXILE PERFORMER BATTLE AUDITION.
In 2016, he became member of HONEST BOYZ®.
He departed from LDH JAPAN on June 25, 2024, subsequently graduating from all the groups he was part of.[1]
Early Life[]
Sekiguchi Mandy was born on January 25, 1991, in New Jersey, United States, and soon after moved to Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Japan.[2] He is an only child,[3] and his mother is Japanese and his father is Nigerian-American.[2][4]
From the age of 6 to 18, he played baseball (third base and batted fourth).[2]
Since his mother liked Black music and K-pop, music videos of people singing and dancing were always playing at his home. "When I was in high school, my mother was really into RAIN, and she would say things like, 'It would be nice if Mandy could dance too'." This led him to become interested in dance, but he never actually came in contact with it until he entered Nippon Sport Science University through the general entrance exam to become a physical education teacher and gave up on baseball because he wasn't able to get into the recommended slot. At that time, he wanted to start a new hobby, so he decided to join a dance club.[5][2] "I started at a university club, but one of my seniors was a scholarship student at EXPG, and I was introduced to the school and became a scholarship student myself. I was hooked on dance from there." During lectures, he sat in the front row and took notes "with a serious expression on his face", which caught HIRO's attention who highly praised him.[2]
Career[]
2022[]
In 2022 Sekiguchi played his first leading role in the ABEMA original drama series Fukumen D.[6][7][8][9][10]
2023[]
On August 12, he was revealed as the the secret seventh member of the new unit EXILE B HAPPY consisting of EXILE TRIBE members for LDH JAPAN's KIDS B HAPPY project.[11][12][13]
In December, he launched a replacement diet supplement titled OMOi KO MANDY (オモイコメンディー) for which he serves as the producer. Sekiguchi started producing this product because he became interested in body building during the COVID-19 pandemic and realized the importance of supplements at that time.[14][15][16]
2024[]
On April 30, it was announced that Sekiguchi would graduate from all associated groups he is part of (GENERATIONS, EXILE, HONEST BOYZ® and EXILE B HAPPY) on June 25, 2024, and depart from LDH JAPAN after 13 years with the agency. The staff, members and Sekiguchi had gone through many discussions in response to his thoughts on his future activities and his own life, and in this process, his strong determination to take on a new challenge led to the final decision on his graduation. It was also announced that GENERATIONS would be holding a press conference on May 1 in regards to the announcement, which would be broadcast for free on the platform CL.[1][17][18][19][20] Additionally, his appearance at the NAOTO PRESENTS HONEST HOUSE 2024 concert on June 1 was cancelled as well.[21]
Announcement from LDH JAPAN[22]
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Thank you for your continued support of LDH JAPAN and its artists and talents.
In response to Mandy's thoughts about his future activities and future plans, the members and staff have had many discussions. We heard his strong desire to take on new challenges, and respected his wishes and decided to take this step. We would like to continue to support Sekiguchi Mandy in various ways in the future as he has decided to take on a new challenge. We would like to ask for your continued support for Sekiguchi Mandy. Please take a moment to read the message from Sekiguchi Mandy regarding this matter. A press conference regarding this matter will also be held tomorrow, May 1 (Wed) at 13:00 (JST) with the seven members of GENERATONS. For more details, please see below. https://www.cl-live.com/programs/live/62sxMmWBVfv9EPAAD3p2fG
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From Sekiguchi Mandy to all my supporters
I, Sekiguchi Mandy, will be graduating from all activities with LDH on June 25. For about 13 years from when I was 20 years old to today, I am grateful to HIRO, the staff at the agency, the GENERATIONS members, my seniors and juniors, for giving me a chance even though I was nobody and not very good at anything, and raising me from the ground up with love. It all started with GENERATIONS, and the turbulent times I spent with them as friends and rivals, working hard and competing with each other, are the greener and more precious moments of my youth than any other time before. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the DREAMERs and fans who found me and supported me with love.
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At GENERATIONS' press conference on May 1, it was announced that Sekiguchi's last activity with the group and their last activity as 7 members would a performance on the TV music program CDTV Live! Live! on May 6.[26] Additionally, it was revealed that Sekiguchi confessed to the members his desire to graduate from the group back in 2022 after running through the events and live performances commemorating the 10th anniversary of GENERATIONS' debut. According to himself, one of the reasons for his desire to graduate was that he would like to be a bridge between Japan and the world, and be more active in the entertainment industry around the world.[27][28] In response, Sekiguchi, the members, and the staff had numerous discussions and decided to go their separate ways on June 25, 2024.[28]
On June 25, he officially departed from LDH JAPAN, subsequently graduating from all the groups he was part of and also from EXILE TRIBE. Following his departure, all pages related to him on LDH, EXILE and EXILE mobile websites were removed, and his social media accounts were changed.
Personal Life[]
- Identity
While growing up, Sekiguchi felt that he was different from others and realized that he was born different from other people (around him) due to his multi-ethnic background. "I'm half-Japanese and I have a different hair texture and skin color from other people.", "It's impossible to be the same." However, instead of being discouraged, he decided to use this as his motivation, which shaped him into the person he is today. "I thought it would be better to be different anyway, so I started to do things that were different from others." However, he has been facing stereotypes, such as expectations of being good at dancing and singing, and having a good sense of rhythm, due to inheriting his looks from his father. In reality, he is not good at singing, which was one of the reasons he was noticed on variety shows. Furthermore, he would sometimes get put on songs by American R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo at karaoke without permission due to his looks, which frustrates him.[4]
- Health
On April 5, 2022, it was announced that Sekiguchi had been diagnosed with COVID-19, was carefully following the instructions of the public health center and experts for a healthy recovery, and thus would not participate in the ABEMA x LDH EXILE SPECIAL FAN MEETING 2022 on April 8.[29]
Works[]
Filmography[]
- Movies
- [2017] HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 2 / END OF SKY
- [2017] HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 3 / FINAL MISSION
- [2019] PRINCE OF LEGEND
- [2022] KAPPEI (カッペイ)
- TV Dramas
- [2016] Night Hero NAOTO
- [2018] PRINCE OF LEGEND
- [2019] Motokare Mania (モトカレマニア)
- [2023] Homeru Hito Homerareru Hito (褒めるひと褒められるひと)
- [2023] Paripi Komei (パリピ孔明)[30]
- [2024] 95[31]
- Digital Dramas
- [2022] Fukumen D (覆面D)
- TV Shows
- [2013-2015] Kyuukyoku no Otoko wa Dareda? Saikyou Supoutsu Danshi Choujou Kessen
- [2014] Wow
- [2014.04.-] Viking - Regular
- [2023] Fuji Entertainer Rock Festival 2023 (フジ芸人ロックフェスティバル2023)[32]
- [2023] Sore Snow Man ni Yara Sete Kudasai SP (それSnow Manにやらせて下さいSP)[33]
- [2023] NEWS no Zenryoku! Making (NEWSの全力!!メイキング)[34]
- [2024] Atarashii Kagi (新しいカギ)[35]
- [2024] Kyoccorohee (キョコロヒー)
- [2024] TV Tokyo Tabi no Hi (テレ東系 旅の日)[36]
- Digital Programs
- [2022] The Masked Singer Season 2 (ザ・マスクド・シンガー シーズン2)[37]
- [2023] Freestyle Nihon Touitsu (フリースタイル日本統一) - MC[38][39]
Music[]
- Participation Work
- [2014] DANCE EARTH PARTY - "PEACE SUNSHINE" feat. Dream, Kobayashi Naoki, Sekiguchi Mandy
- [2019] GENERATIONS - "Brand New Story" (#2 "Control Myself")
- [2020] GENERATIONS - "Loading..." (#3 "Lonely")
- [2021] GENERATIONS - "Ame Nochi Hare" (#2 "A wish for you -Kimi wo Negau Yoru-")
- [2021] GENERATIONS - Up & Down (#11 "Feel Alright")
- [2021] GENERATIONS - Up & Down (#15 "Love is ?")
- [2021] GENERATIONS - "Unchained World" (#2 "to U")
- [2021] GENERATIONS - "GENERATIONS FROM EXILE" (#1 "SUPER SHINE")
- [2021] EXILE - PHOENIX (#5 "Agapanthus")
- [2022] GENERATIONS - "Chikara no Kagiri" (CD+DVD Type A track #2; CD Only track #3 "TIME SLIP LOVE")
- Lyrics/Composition
- Music Video Appearances
- [2011] Sandaime J Soul Brothers - "FIGHTERS"
Advertising[]
- Image figure
- [2023] adidas Originals "RIVALRY" - Campaign visual[40]
Trivia[]
- Member Color: Orange (GENERATIONS)[N 1]
- Emoji: 🥔 (Potato)
- Described as an extremely kind person, especially by the younger members of EXILE TRIBE and the former support members of GENERATIONS.
- Fujiwara Itsuki mentioned: "We've known each other for a long time, and he has always been kind to me, giving me clothes, taking me out to dinner, etc."[41]
- According to himself, he is a "people-pleaser" and everything he would do is a means to make people happy and please them. This would also be the driving force behind his various activities.[42]
- When he was in elementary school, he would speak up even though it wasn't his turn during morning assembly roll call and others would call him out for it. He later recalled this interaction of entertaining others by being "teased" as a "very pleasant and comfortable" feeling, which left a lasting impression on him.[42]
- Since joining LDH and entering the entertainment industry, he has been getting teased again and resisted at first, but then recalled feeling the same sense of comfort he felt as a child and ultimately allowed it: "[...] I realized that everyone was having fun, and I thought, "If there are people who are happy with this, then why not.""[42]
- Some people call him "the conscience of LDH".[42]
- According to himself (in an interview in December 2023), he is in charge of public relations for GENERATIONS as a TV personality. However, while he always believed that if he went out and let many people know about the group, the group's recognition would naturally increase, but he later realized that "Mandy" (as an individual) and "GENERATIONS" were not really associated with each other in the public mind.[43]
- According to himself, he felt like I wasn't himself when I saw himself on TV for a long time. "I have been piloting a robot called "Mandy" with a sense of "this mobile suit called Mendy is interesting", separating myself from my life-size version on TV. So up until now, I've always had an idea of "this is what a Mandy should be like.'""[43]
- For this reason, he has been gradually changing his approach so that people can get to know him more deeply.[43]
- Despite being born in the US, his current English skills are limited to everyday conversation since he grew up in Japan.[44]
- Originally dreamed of becoming a high school teacher, specifially a physical education teacher. However, he discovered dance while pursuing this dream and changed his goals.[45]
- Aspired to be a reliable teacher who is often consulted for advice.[45]
- According to Shirahama Alan, Sekiguchi sent him a voice memo of a rap song and told him that he wanted to rap back around 2012/2013.[46]
- Likes to watch both J-horror and international horror films.[47]
- Has been a fan of American comic books since he was a child.[3]
- Enjoys acting and would like to be in an NHK Taiga Drama. He would also like to enter Hollywood and Bollywood, the latter especially for the dancing.[48]
- While talking about his role in Paripi Komei, he revealed that he felt uncomfortable in the role of a star and being in the center.[48]
- Opened a personal Twitter account (@mandy_s_mandy) in 2019.
- Opened a new X account (@Mandy_7jr) on April 30, 2024, the same day he announced his graduation from the group and his departure from LDH, which he would use once he leaves the company.[49]
- Opened a new Instagram account (@mandysekiguchi7jr) on May 2, 2024 which he would use once he leaves the company.[50]
- Is the third member to officially graduate from EXILE, and first to graduate from GENERATIONS.
Honorary Titles[]
Honorary Titles | ||
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Preceeded by First |
Oldest Member of GENERATIONS April 17, 2012 - June 25, 2024 |
Succeeded by Kazuhara Ryuto |
Notes[]
- ↑ As shown in tour goods, and in the jacket covers of "Hard Knock Days", SPEEDSTER, and Ⅹ.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 LDH JAPAN所属アーティスト 関口メンディーに関するお知らせ
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/p-et-tp0-20140328-1276114.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0106448
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4025088
- ↑ https://www.cyzo.com/2022/10/post_324842_entry.html
- ↑ https://m.ex-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=39824
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/drama/detail/3351417
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202209120001551.html
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/drama/detail/3351097
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2249082/full/
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/707697/
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202308120000532.html
- ↑ https://realsound.jp/2023/08/post-1402833.html
- ↑ https://www.ldh.co.jp/news/detail.php?lang=eng&site=TRIBE&newsid=0000045283
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4218572
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=45283
- ↑ https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2325057/full/
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/571611
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/749081/
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4265592
- ↑ NAOTO PRESENTS HONEST HOUSE 2024 東京公演に関するお知らせ
- ↑ https://www.ldh.co.jp/news/detail.php?lang=eng&site=TRIBE&newsid=0000047029
- ↑ https://gene.exfamily.jp/s/ldh04/news/detail/10645
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4265595
- ↑ https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202404300001277.html
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/571725
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4265897
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 https://natalie.mu/music/news/571700
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=37595
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/534015
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/561992
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/551089
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/552263
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/553067
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/558579
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4219329
- ↑ https://www.tokyoheadline.com/642853/
- ↑ https://natalie.mu/music/news/539841
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/3937172
- ↑ https://m.tribe-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=44750
- ↑ https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/16182693/
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4025133
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 https://qjweb.jp/feature/102306/
- ↑ https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20190613_1390843.html?DETAIL
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2254569/full/
- ↑ https://gingerweb.jp/timeless/person/article/20230806-generations
- ↑ https://emomiu.jp/news/147012/
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 https://hochi.news/articles/20230925-OHT1T51232.html?page=1
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4265801
- ↑ https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/4267240
External Links[]
- Instagram:
- @mandysekiguchi7jr
- @mandy_sekiguchi_official (inactive)
- X (Twitter):
- @mandy_7jr
- @mandy_s_mandy (inactive)
- Agency Profile
- OMOi KO MANDY
Gallery • Category • Songs navbox EXILE ATSUSHI navbox • EXILE TAKAHIRO navbox • EXILE SHOKICHI navbox • Iwata Takanori navbox • ALAN SHIRAHAMA navbox | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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