TLDR;
This video explores the journey of Phoebe, an American Idol, highlighting the community support system that fuels her passion. It covers her early influences, starting from a childhood immersed in Japanese pop culture to her initial performances and the formation of her idol group. The video also touches on the challenges she faces, including balancing her numerous activities, financial constraints, and the pressure to meet expectations, while also emphasizing her resilience and determination to continue pursuing her dreams sustainably and healthily.
- Community support is a driving force for Idols.
- Phoebe's journey began with early exposure to Japanese pop culture and initial performances.
- Balancing numerous activities and financial constraints poses significant challenges.
- Phoebe aims to pursue her dreams sustainably and healthily.
The Idol Community and the Thrill of Support [0:03]
The video starts by describing the unique appeal of following an idol's journey, comparing it to a community event or supporting a sports team. Supporting idols is portrayed as a positive experience where fans are always on the "winning team," united in cheering for the idol's progress and success. The excitement and thrill of watching an idol succeed is highlighted, suggesting that fans vicariously experience personal achievements through the idol's accomplishments.
Phoebe's Introduction and Idol Identity [0:53]
Phoebe is introduced as a dedicated and hardworking idol who puts significant effort into her performances. She acknowledges the constant state of being both excited and tired due to her demanding schedule. A visual representation of Phoebe's performance history shows a significant increase in event appearances since 2017, indicating her strong work ethic and commitment to her career.
Early Influences and Musical Beginnings [3:12]
Phoebe shares her background as a second-generation "weaboo," influenced by her parents' love for Japanese pop culture, including anime and conventions. Despite not coming from a musical family, she developed an early interest in singing and performing, staging concerts for her family from a young age. Her father's gift of a microphone led her to start posting covers on YouTube at the age of 10, marking the beginning of her public musical journey.
Macross Frontier and the Inspiration of Ranka Lee [5:33]
Phoebe discusses the significant influence of the anime series "Macross Frontier" on her life, particularly the character Ranka Lee. She describes how Ranka's character, a shy girl who loves singing, resonated with her and inspired her to pursue her own musical aspirations. Ranka's earnestness and kindness made her a role model for Phoebe, who has been a dedicated fan of the character and her voice actress, Megumi Nakajima, for many years.
Idol Academy and the Formation of Fairy [7:54]
Phoebe recounts her experience at Super Dimension Con, where she won Miss Macross 2016, motivating her to improve her performance skills. She joined Idol Academy to learn singing and dancing, eventually forming an idol group called Fairy with another student. Their graduation performance at Anime Los Angeles was a significant debut, providing Phoebe with a taste of performing in front of a large audience and fueling her desire to pursue a solo career.
Building a Solo Career and Original Music [10:44]
After deciding to pursue a solo career, Phoebe learned how to apply for performances and build her resume. She crowdfunded her first original solo EP to share her own stories and messages with her audience. The release of her EP coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown, leading her to create her own virtual stage to stay connected with her growing community.
Becoming a VTuber and Connecting with the Audience [13:00]
Phoebe ventured into VTubing, becoming one of the early English VTubers during the initial boom. Initially intended as a temporary solution during the lockdown, VTubing allowed her to connect with her audience in a more personal and interactive way. This experience not only enhanced her expressiveness but also provided her with skills that she later transferred to her real-life stage performances.
The Impact of VTubing on Live Performances [15:17]
Phoebe reflects on how VTubing transformed her live performances, giving her newfound confidence and a deeper connection with her audience. She describes the experience of meeting online fans in person as seeing old friends, strengthening their bond and creating an incentive for continued interaction. This realization that her fans cared for her in both virtual and physical forms was a significant turning point, allowing her to be more authentic and confident on stage.
The Idol Experience: Community and Connection [16:48]
Phoebe describes the unique connection between idols and their fans, emphasizing the sense of community and shared love for the artist. She values the ability to bring people together and create intimate, vulnerable moments on stage. This connection and the feeling of closeness with her audience are what she loves most about being an idol.
The End Game: Leaving a Footprint [18:26]
Phoebe shares her ultimate goal: to leave a lasting positive impact on the world through her music and work. She acknowledges the challenges of being a "starving artist" and the need to balance her creative pursuits with financial sustainability. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to creating meaningful and high-quality content, hoping to reach a wider audience.
The Realities of an Idol's Workload [19:56]
Phoebe details the extensive and demanding workload of being an independent idol, including recording, collaborations, VTubing, streaming, social media management, and live performances. She uses her weekend at Northwest Idol Fest as an example, highlighting the numerous concerts, meet and greets, interviews, and virtual performances she juggles, often with little sleep. Balancing all these responsibilities is difficult, making her life both wonderful and scary.
The Unsustainable Grind and Personal Sacrifices [22:18]
The video acknowledges the unsustainable nature of Phoebe's current lifestyle, with numerous unpaid appearances and self-funded travel. Her manager notes that Phoebe has done more shows this year than any previous year, often at her own expense. Phoebe admits to receiving heartfelt letters from fans expressing concern for her well-being, recognizing the personal sacrifices she makes to pursue her dreams.
Self-Doubt and the Quest for Validation [23:49]
Phoebe expresses moments of self-doubt, questioning whether she is cut out for the idol life and comparing herself to others who seem to achieve greater heights with less effort. She grapples with the pressure to meet external expectations and the uncertainty of what people want her to be. This internal conflict raises questions about whether achieving external validation will ultimately lead to personal happiness and satisfaction.
Finding a Sustainable Path and Redefining Success [25:10]
Phoebe reflects on the need to find a more sustainable and healthy path forward, acknowledging her past burnout and the importance of self-forgiveness. She recognizes that her lofty dreams of becoming the "ultimate idol" need to be balanced with more tangible and grounded goals. Phoebe aims to shift her focus from seeking external validation to prioritizing her own happiness and well-being.
Embracing the Present and Evolving Dreams [27:03]
Phoebe expresses hope that her fans, fellow idols, and management will support her if she needs to take a step back or ease her workload. She emphasizes the beauty of having a dream and the acceptance that dreams can evolve over time without being considered a failure. Phoebe concludes by focusing on the present and taking care of her current self, rather than solely fixating on a distant "happy ending."
