Ado is a Japanese singer who gained prominence in 2020 through her popular song “Usseewa,” which achieved chart-topping success in Japan and became a viral sensation across social media platforms. In a departure from the typical visibility of pop stars, Ado has maintained an air of mystery by never disclosing her face or revealing her real name to the public.
This has piqued the interest and speculation of both fans and the media alike. Delving into the enigma surrounding Ado, this article aims to unravel the mystery behind her decision to remain anonymous and the motivations behind keeping her identity concealed.
Ado’s Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born on October 24, 2002, in Tokyo, Japan, Ado discovered her passion for music through cover singers on Niconico, a video-sharing website popular within Japanese otaku culture. Intrigued by the singers who showcased their talents without revealing their faces, she opted to follow suit. At the young age of 14, in 2017, Ado initiated her musical journey by sharing covers of songs on Niconico. With her compelling vocals and distinctive singing style, she quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase.
Ado’s collaborative ventures extended to working with various musicians and producers, including Kujira, jon-YAKITORY, syudou, Surii, and teniwoha. Notable contributions include her features in songs like “Kinmokusei,” “Shikabanēze,” “Call boy,” and “Taema naku ai-iro.” Additionally, she participated in the compilation album “PALETTE4” released by Pony Canyon in 2020.
Ado’s Debut and Success with “Usseewa”
In October 2020, Ado revealed her debut with Universal Music Japan, a prominent record label. She marked the occasion by releasing her inaugural digital single, “Usseewa,” crafted by Vocaloid producer syudou, on October 23, the eve of her 18th birthday.
“Usseewa” emerged as a rebellious anthem, articulating the frustration and anger experienced by young individuals constrained by societal pressures and expectations. Striking a chord with many, particularly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the song skyrocketed to immense popularity.
The music video for “Usseewa” found its place on Ado’s YouTube channel, which presently boasts over 2 million subscribers. The video showcased an animated rendition of Ado, illustrated by Rella, the creative mind behind Ado’s official logo. As of September 2023, the video has garnered over 200 million views, solidifying its position as one of the most-watched Japanese music videos in history.
“Usseewa” not only dominated the Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart but also claimed the top spot on the Oricon Digital Singles Chart and the Oricon Streaming Chart. It achieved the milestone of 100 million plays on Billboard Japan after just 17 weeks from charting in, making it the sixth fastest in history and the youngest for a solo singer.
The song earned accolades, including the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and the MTV Video Music Awards Japan for Best New Artist Video.
Building on the success of her debut, Ado released two more singles, “Readymade” and “Gira Gira,” both penned by Vocaloid producers Surii and teniwoha, respectively. These releases further showcased Ado’s versatility and affirmed her standing as a talented singer, receiving acclaim from fans and critics alike.
Ado’s Face Reveal: Rumors and Speculations
Despite Ado’s widespread popularity and achievements, she has steadfastly maintained her anonymity, refraining from disclosing her face or real name to the public. Operating solely under her stage name, derived from the Japanese word “adolescence,” she abstains from interviews, TV appearances, and live events.
Communication with her fanbase is exclusively conducted through her social media platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram, where she shares cryptic messages and emojis.
The quest for Ado’s face reveal ranks among the internet’s most sought-after topics related to her. Fans harbor a keen curiosity about the person behind the mask, and some have attempted to uncover clues or evidence from her videos or photos. However, Ado has diligently safeguarded her identity, evading any potential leaks or exposure.
While a few fans claim to have glimpsed her face during concerts or live streams, these accounts remain unverified and unreliable. The closest approximation to a face reveal occurred in the blurred face featured in the piano version of “Usseewa,” uploaded on her YouTube channel in December 2020. Nevertheless, the image remained sufficiently obscure and distorted, preventing any clear identification of features.
According to Reddit, some Japanese fans reported witnessing her face as she descended from the stage for her final song at her 6th-anniversary concert in January 2022. However, due to dim lighting, no footage or photos were released.
There are claims on Wikipedia that she may have done a face reveal during her first concert in April 2022, yet with a small audience and no released footage, the veracity of this assertion remains uncertain.
According to Ado’s Fan Club, she has never publicly revealed her face, and she explicitly requests that discussions or sharing of information regarding her real identity be avoided. The fan club emphasizes that Ado’s face is considered nearly taboo within the fanbase, and the majority of fans uphold her privacy and personal choice.
Ado’s Reasons for Staying Anonymous
Ado has never explicitly articulated the reasons behind her choice to maintain anonymity, but plausible explanations can be deduced from her songs and statements. One conceivable motive is her desire to center attention on her music rather than her appearance or personal life.
Evading the pressures and scrutiny inherent in celebrity status, particularly in the Japanese entertainment industry where idols are beholden to specific images and behaviors, could be another compelling factor.
Another potential rationale might stem from concerns about low self-esteem or insecurity regarding her looks. Hints at this internal struggle surface in some of her songs, like “Usseewa,” where she croons, “I hate myself, I hate myself, I hate myself more than anyone else.”
Correspondingly, her tweets occasionally contain expressions such as “I’m ugly” or “I’m sorry for being born.” The possibility of past experiences involving bullying or harassment due to her appearance, leading to trauma and a reluctance to unveil her face, cannot be discounted.
A third consideration is her value for privacy and freedom, steering clear of the public eye. Shielding family and friends from unwarranted attention or potential risks may also factor into this decision. The allure of maintaining an air of mystery and intrigue around her identity might serve as a creative expression for Ado, contributing to her enigmatic persona.
Ado’s Future Plans and Possibility of Face Reveal
Ado has not disclosed any plans or intentions for a future face reveal. She might persist in maintaining her anonymity throughout her singing career, or she could choose to unveil her identity when she deems it appropriate or comfortable. The decision rests entirely with her, and fans should honor and support whatever choice she makes.
Ado has unequivocally demonstrated her talent and achieved success as a singer, irrespective of whether she reveals her face. Her musical prowess speaks volumes, and fans embrace her for who she is and the art she creates. While a face reveal by Ado remains uncertain, fans can continue to relish her music and acknowledge her artistic contributions.
