# Kylee Saunders

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**Kylee Saunders** (born 25 May 1994), sometimes known [mononymously](/source/Mononym) as **Kylee**, is an American singer who is signed with [Sony Music Japan](/source/Sony_Music_Japan)'s [DefStar Records](/source/DefStar_Records) label.

## Early life and career

Kylee Saunders was born in [Chandler, Arizona](/source/Chandler,_Arizona), to a Japanese mother and British American father.[1] Her father inspired her to become a singer. She has a younger sister and a younger brother. When she was eleven years old, she passed an audition to perform the national anthem at the opening of an [NBA](/source/NBA) game, earning a standing ovation.[1][2] This performance earned her the interest of music producers, and she was signed onto the independent label RX-Records.[1] Saunders attended Stoller Middle School in Portland, Oregon, until 2007, when she returned to Arizona. She then attended [Hamilton High School](/source/Hamilton_High_School_(Chandler,_Arizona))[3] and in 2016 graduated from [Stanford University](/source/Stanford_University) with a bachelor's degree.[4]

On October 17, 2008, her first single, "Vacancy", was released by RX-Records in the United States as a digital single.[5] "Vacancy" was featured as the ending theme to the [Sony Computer Entertainment](/source/Sony_Computer_Entertainment) [anime](/source/Anime) series *[Xam'd: Lost Memories](/source/Xam'd:_Lost_Memories)*.[1] On March 24, 2010, Saunders released her first major-label single under [Sony Music Japan](/source/Sony_Music_Japan)'s label [DefStar Records](/source/DefStar_Records), titled (キミがいるから, *"Kimi ga Iru Kara"*, "Because You Are Here"), which was featured as the theme song to the 2010 film *[Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac](/source/Memoirs_of_a_Teenage_Amnesiac)*, a Japan-America co-production in which she also gave a cameo performance.[6][7] Her second major-label single, "Missing/It's You", was slated for release on July 7, 2010, with "Missing" being the second opening theme song to the [Bones](/source/Bones_(studio)) and [Stan Lee](/source/Stan_Lee) anime *[Heroman](/source/Heroman)*. She also performed as one of the opening acts for the 2010 [Summer Sonic Festival](/source/Summer_Sonic_Festival), playing on the Urban/Dance Stage.[8] This was followed by her single "Everlasting", which was used as the theme song for the second episode of the *[Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn](/source/Mobile_Suit_Gundam_Unicorn)* OVA series.[9] Saunders appeared on [NBC](/source/NBC)'s *[Today](/source/Today_(NBC_program))* in the United States on May 13, 2011, where she was interviewed by [Hoda Kotb](/source/Hoda_Kotb) and [Kathie Lee Gifford](/source/Kathie_Lee_Gifford), before she performed her fourth major single "Never Give Up".[10] Kylee performed at Otakon 2011 on July 31, 2011, in Baltimore, Maryland, her US concert debut.[11] Her fifth major single, "Crazy for You", was released on October 5, 2011; the song was used in Japanese online clothing retailer Nissen's 2011 fall collection television commercial.[citation needed] Saunders released her debut album, *17*, on November 23, 2011.[citation needed] She also did a duet with [Sam Tsui](/source/Sam_Tsui) in May 2013.[12] She was married August 2017.[13]

## Discography

### The RX-Records era (2008–2009)

#### Single

Release Date Title Notes EP Year Month/Day 2008 December 3 "Vacancy" The ending theme to the anime Xam'd: Lost Memories B-sides: "Justice", "Plan B" Available for download on USA iTunes[5] Kylee meets Xam'd: Lost Memories (DefStar Records)

#### EP

Release Date Title Notes Year Month/Day 2009 March 4 Love Kicks... Includes "You Get Me", "Empty Handed" and more

### The DefStar Records era (2009–)

#### Singles

Release Date Title Notes Album Year Month/Day 2010 March 24 "Kimi ga Iru Kara" (キミがいるから) Theme song to the film Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac B-sides: "On My Own", "She Wishes" 17 July 7 "Missing / It's You" "Missing" is the 2nd opening theme to the anime television series Heroman the coupling track "Just Go" October 27 "Everlasting" Theme to the second episode of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn B-side: "The Luckiest Girl in the World" All tracks are available as downloads on USA iTunes.[14] 2011 July 13 "Never Give Up" October 5 "Crazy for You" 500,000 downloads[15] 2012 June 13 "Mirai" (未来) Theme song to the film Signal: Luca on Mondays (シグナル～月曜日のルカ～) B-side: "Feel" 2013 February 13 "Daisukinanoni" (大好きなのに) Second opening theme to the anime television series Blast of Tempest B-side: "Anywhere" (closing credits song for J-Melo, Oct–Dec 2012)[16]

#### Digital singles

Release Date Title Notes Album Year Month/Day 2013 May 8 "Just Give Me a Reason" Cover of a song by Pink featuring Fun's lead singer, Nate Ruess Available for download on iTunes Stores all over the world With YouTube stars Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider[17] Released as Sam Tsui feat. Kylee under mudhutdigital.com[18] July 1 "Crazy for You" (English version) With two English cover anime songs (Naruto and Rurouni Kenshin) Available on iTunes Stores[19] & Amazon in 20 countries, but not in Japan August 7 Japan-only release With two English covers and one new heavy rock song, "Don't Say Goodbye"[20] October 7 "Wrecking Ball" Miley Cyrus cover Available for download on iTunes Stores all over the world With YouTube stars Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider Released as Sam Tsui feat. Kylee under mudhutdigital.com[21]

#### EPs

Release Date Title Notes Year Month/Day 2009 July 29 Kylee meets Xam'd: Lost Memories Includes "Vacancy", "Just Breathe" and "Over U" All songs are the ending themes to the anime Xam'd: Lost Memories The EP was recorded in only two months[22][23]

#### Studio albums

Release Date Title Notes Year Month/Day 2011 November 23 (Japan)[24][25] 17 Including "Unnoticed", "Yours Truly", "Brand New Wave" (feat. Orianthi) and more 2013 July 1 (20 other countries)[26]

#### Album appearances

Release Date Song Album Notes Year Month/Day 2012 October 24 "My Generation" (Yui cover) She Loves You (A Tribute to Yui)[27] a new recording 2013 March 27 "Never Give Up" 女子力を磨く歌 (Girl Power Songs) (avex trax)[28] Taken from 17 August 28 "One" Ivory7 Chord's second mini album, Synesthesia (magnifique) only co-writing lyrics[29]

## Live performances

**2009**

- Hurley NIGHTS Vol. 0
- [Summer Sonic Festival](/source/Summer_Sonic_Festival)[30][31]

**2010**

- Girl Pop Factory
- [Summer Sonic Festival](/source/Summer_Sonic_Festival)[32]

**2011**

- NBC's *[TODAY](/source/Today_(U.S._TV_program))* show
- [Otakon](/source/Otakon)[9][11]
- Minami Wheel
- Girls Award by CROOZ blog 2011 Autumn/Winter[33]
- [FIFA Club World Cup](/source/FIFA_Club_World_Cup)[34]

**2012**

- Otodama Sea Studio (Japan)
- MTV ZUSHI FES 12 supported by RIVIERA[35] (Japan)
- J-POP Summit Festival (USA)
- Inazuma Rock Fes (Japan)

**2013**

- Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (USA)
- Japan Day @ Central Park (USA)
- [Japan Expo](/source/Japan_Expo)[36] (France)
- J-POP Summit Festival[37] (USA)

**2014**

- Playlist Live (USA)
- J-POP Summit Festival (USA)

## Covers on YouTube

Kylee started a covers project on [YouTube](/source/YouTube).[38]

Release Date Song Original Artists Notes Year Month/Day 2013 May 15 "Just Give Me a Reason" Pink featuring Fun's lead singer Nate Ruess with Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider August 26 "Come & Get It" Selena Gomez video director: Jerry Corria October 5 "Clarity" Zedd featuring Foxes video director: Daisuke Okamoto producer: Troy Laureta October 6 "Wrecking Ball" Miley Cyrus with Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider November 28 "Young and Beautiful" remix Lana Del Rey video director: Ryusuke Okajima producer & remix: Wiley Webb vocal producer: Troy Laureta remix & additional production: Thor Laewe 2014 January 11 "Story of My Life" / "Best Song Ever" mashup One Direction video director: Tadashi Tawarayama cover producer: Merchants Of Venice Entertainment (M.O.V.E) January 23 "Mirrors" / "Stay" / "Holy Grail" mashup Justin Timberlake / Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko / Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake director/editor: Ross Ching music producer: PJ Bianco February 4 "Let It Go" from Disney's film Frozen Idina Menzel / Demi Lovato video: Richard Frias song producer: Troy Laureta acoustic guitar: John Nott February 10 Valentine's Day Love Medley! (27 songs in 3 mins) Ne-Yo - "Let Me Love You" Justin Bieber - "As Long As You Love Me" Calvin Harris - "I Need Your Love" Rihanna - "We Found Love" Drake - "Find Your Love" Justin Bieber - "Somebody to Love" Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love" Sara Bareilles - "Love Song" Selena Gomez & the Scene - "Love You Like A Love Song" Taylor Swift - "Love Story" Haddaway - "What Is Love" Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" Maroon 5 - "She Will Be Loved" Maroon 5 - "Love Somebody" The Beatles - "All You Need is Love" Usher - "DJ's Got Us Falling In Love" Elvis Presley – "Can't Help Falling In Love" Kesha - "Your Love Is My Drug" Cher - "Believe" Foreigner - "I Want To Know What Love Is" Lady Gaga - "LoveGame" Plain White T's - "Rhythm of Love" Dolly Parton - "I Will Always Love You" The Shirelles - "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" Rihanna - "I Love The Way You Lie" Elton John - "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" Icona Pop - "I Love It" Ne-Yo / Justin Bieber / Calvin Harris / Rihanna / Taylor Swift and more with Chester See and Kurt Schneider

## Management

Kylee is managed in the US and Japan by Antinos Management America.

## References

1. ["ja:14歳美少女歌姫カイリー、デビュー前から"メジャー級""](https://web.archive.org/web/20131109152500/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/special/archive/2008archive/KFullFlash20081204018.html) (in Japanese). [Sports Nippon](/source/Sports_Nippon). 2008-12-04. Archived from [the original](http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/special/archive/2008archive/KFullFlash20081204018.html) on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2010-03-12.

1. 2004 Portland Trail Blazers game. ["Kylee at age 11 National Anthem NBA"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQZ_iWTfl9A). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. 22 January 2009. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/pQZ_iWTfl9A) 2021-12-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-10-25.

1. ["Budding star sits in Hamilton High classroom"](http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2010/05/06/20100506budding-japanese-pop-star-sits-hamilton-high-classroom.html). Retrieved 2011-08-20.

1. Lee, Soo Ji (5 December 2012). ["The Fresh Set: Kylee Saunders, Japanese pop star"](http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/12/05/the-fresh-set-kylee-saunders-japanese-popstar/). *[The Stanford Daily](/source/The_Stanford_Daily)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140203214922/http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/12/05/the-fresh-set-kylee-saunders-japanese-popstar/) 3 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 April 2013.

1. ["Vacancy – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/vacancy-single/293005890). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 14 October 2008. Retrieved 2013-05-04.

1. ["ja:堀北、松ケン、手越ら出演の映画主題歌を女子高生シンガーが担当！ スクリーンデビューも"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120313112047/http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4548625/) (in Japanese). *Hot Express*. [Livedoor](/source/Livedoor). 2010-01-14. Archived from [the original](http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/4548625/) on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2010-03-12.

1. ["ja:15歳の米在住女子高生シンガーが、映画『誰かが私にキスをした』主題歌＆出演で異例のＷデビュー！"](http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/deview/72445/) (in Japanese). *[Oricon](/source/Oricon)*. DeView. 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-03-12.

1. ["ナタリー – サマソニ第16弾でROCK'A'TRENCH、Droogら国内勢6組"](http://natalie.mu/music/news/34494). July 9, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-09.

1. ["J!-ENT's Dennis A. Amith interviews Kylee (August 2011 J!-ENT Interview)"](http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/INTERVIEWS/KYLEE/kylee.pdf). Retrieved 2011-08-25.

1. ["Kylee / NEVER GIVE UP! (アーティスト特集) 歌詞検索サービス♪歌詞ＧＥＴ"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110827165303/http://www2.kget.jp/feature/kylee_110708/). Archived from [the original](http://www2.kget.jp/feature/kylee_110708/) on 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2011-07-13.

1. ["Kylee to Perform at Otakon 2011"](http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-11/kylee-to-perform-at-otakon-2011). Retrieved 2011-08-09.

1. Kurt Hugo Schneider (2013-05-15), [""Just Give Me A Reason" - Pink ft Nate Ruess (Sam Tsui & Kylee Cover)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCi3lo1JaQI), [archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/eCi3lo1JaQI) 2021-12-21 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2017-02-22

1. ["Everlasting – EP"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/everlasting-ep/451367083). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 27 October 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-04.

1. ["アメリカ在住女子高生シンガー、Kylee初のJAPAN TOUR大盛況でフィナーレ「また必ず帰ってくるから」"](http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000078201) (in Japanese). *Barks*. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2013-04-27.

1. ["New Song Project"](http://www.nhk.or.jp/j-melo/nhkworld/english/new_song_project/index.html). *J-MELO*. [NHK](/source/NHK). Retrieved 2013-05-02.

1. ["Kylee 2週間で100万再生のコラボカバー動画が話題に"](http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/12708) (in Japanese). *[Billboard Japan](/source/Billboard_Japan)*. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2013-06-01.

1. ["Just Give Me a Reason (feat. Kylee) – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/just-give-me-reason-feat/646560664). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). Retrieved 2013-06-01.

1. ["Crazy for You – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/crazy-for-you-single/662790184). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). July 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-15.

1. ["Crazy for You – Single"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140605195713/https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/crazy-for-you-single/id662790184). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/crazy-for-you-single/id662790184) on June 5, 2014. Retrieved 2013-08-07.

1. ["Wrecking Ball (feat. Kylee) – Single"](https://music.apple.com/us/album/wrecking-ball-feat-kylee/721506585). *[iTunes Store](/source/ITunes_Store)*. [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.). 7 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-28.

1. ["アニメ『亡念のザムド』のED曲を歌うKyleeが番組とのコラボEPをリリース"](http://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/kylee/24471) (in Japanese). *CDJournal*. 2009-06-09. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

1. ["Kylee meets 亡念のザムド"](http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/DF/kylee_zamudo/DFCL-1585/index.html) (in Japanese). *Sony Music Online Japan*. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

1. ["Kylee 17"](http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/DF/kylee/DFCL-1813/index.html) (in Japanese). *Sony Music Online Japan*. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

1. ["Kylee 17(初回生産限定盤)"](http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/DF/kylee/DFCL-1811/index.html) (in Japanese). *Sony Music Online Japan*. Retrieved 2013-05-03.

1. ["Rising pop star in Japan makes U.S. debut at Yoshi's in Oakland"](https://abc7news.com/archive/9148562/). *[abc7news](/source/KGO-TV)*. [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company). 2013-06-22. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140203023913/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Feast_bay&id=9148562) 2014-02-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-06-25.

1. [""メガネYUI"がリラックス「CHE.R.RY」ボサノバ風PV公開"](http://natalie.mu/music/news/77285) (in Japanese). *Natalie*. Retrieved 2014-02-19.

1. ["ja:聴けば女子力アップ！コンピ「女子力を磨く歌」にカエラら"](http://natalie.mu/music/news/87475) (in Japanese). *Natalie*. 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2013-04-29.

1. ["IVORY7 CHORD、新作『Synesthesia』より「ONE」のミュージック・ビデオを公開"](http://ro69.jp/news/detail/87951) (in Japanese). *[Rockin'On Japan](/source/Rockin'On_Japan)*. 2013-08-29. Retrieved 2014-02-20.

1. ["Kylee LINEUP SUMMER SONIC 09"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130507083325/http://www.summersonic.com/09/lineup/141.html?a=t08) (in Japanese). *The Official Website for SUMMER SONIC 09*. Archived from [the original](http://www.summersonic.com/09/lineup/141.html?a=t08) on 2013-05-07. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["サマソニ史上最年少、Kyleeのライヴに5000人"](http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000051916) (in Japanese). *Barks*. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["Kylee LINEUP SUMMER SONIC 2010"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130522150915/http://www.summersonic.com/2010/lineup/128.html?a=t7) (in Japanese). *The Official Website for SUMMER SONIC 2010*. Archived from [the original](http://www.summersonic.com/2010/lineup/128.html?a=t7) on 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["Kyleeがガールズアワードで圧巻の歌唱力を披露！"](http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0036956) (in Japanese). *Cinema Today*. 2011-11-13. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["Kylee(カイリー)が7万人の前で生歌をパフォーマンス!!!"](http://www.music-lounge.jp/v2/articl/news/detail/?articl=2011/12/19-14:30:00_3c776b102e30f628cc8e4c86374c5cd3) (in Japanese). *Music Lounge*. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["Lagoon Stage 8/11 土 ライブ速報 2日目"](http://www.mtvjapan.com/zushifes2012/2012-08-11/5591) (in Japanese). *[MTV Japan](/source/MTV_Japan)*. 2012-08-11. Retrieved 2013-04-28.

1. ["Kylee Saunders (Kylee) – Interview Japan Expo 2013"](http://www.total-manga.com/article-kylee-saunders-kylee-pa2519-2851/interview-japan-expo-2013.html) (in French). *Total Manga*. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2013-07-15.

1. ["KYLEE Live at J-POP Summit Festival & Exclusive Interview"](https://archive.today/20130826160404/http://www.geekexchange.com/kylee-live-at-j-pop-summit-festival-exclusive-interview-75217.html). *GeekExchange.com*. 2013-08-06. Archived from [the original](http://www.geekexchange.com/kylee-live-at-j-pop-summit-festival-exclusive-interview-75217.html) on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-26.

1. ["Kylee Channel Intro Video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUFGWlUpwrA). *YouTube*. 2013-05-11. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/CUFGWlUpwrA) 2021-12-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-01-26.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.kylee.jp/) by [DefStar Records](/source/DefStar_Records)
- [Official website](http://rx-records.com/band/select/Kylee) by RX-Records

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kylee Saunders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylee_Saunders) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylee_Saunders?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.