Hip-hop star Riehata to uncover Filipino talent from next generation of ‘Stellas’

MANILA, Philippines – Global hip-hop dance phenomenon Riehata is here in the Philippines in search of dancers to share the stage with. 

The renowned Filipino-Japanese choreographer has worked with a number of artists and industry giants, including BTS, TWICE, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa, and now hit P-Pop boy group SB19 ahead of their performances at Stella Dance Jam.

Stella Dance Jam is a two-day dance event presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila, to be held in The Theatre at Solaire this June 20 to 21 in commemoration of the 2026 Japan-Philippines Friendship Year.

They will be joined by the Stellas, young dancers selected through auditions in both countries. 

The Filipino leg of auditions — which are free of charge — is to take place in Davao on April 25 and Manila the following day. The former was selected for its deep historical and cultural ties to Japan. 

Ben Suzuki, director of The Japan Foundation, Manila, confirmed that they received an estimated 200 applications from the Philippines and 80 from Japan. 

Riehata, who will be presiding over the auditions, expressed her excitement to meet the applicants and find her perfect Stellas: “I’m looking for [people with] good energy, who really love dance, and who really have passion.”

On the decision to bring together and train amateur performers rather than the professional groups she has worked with in the past, Riehata explained her motivation to platform emerging dancers, especially those outside Metro Manila. 

“The important thing is talent,” Riehata affirmed. “Everyone [with talent] has a chance, and I want to give everyone a chance.”

Riehata and Suzuki agreed that initiatives like these are only the beginning, with the former stating that she would like to visit more places in the country, and the latter naming cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. 

Later down the line, Riehata is entertaining the idea of training children as well as those older than the Stella Dance Jam auditions’ maximum age of 39, fondly remembering her 70-year-old student back at her dance studio in Japan. 

In honor of Filipino talent, Riehata dedicated her artistry to her Cebuano single mother, who taught her how to love dance and music. Though she grew up in Japan, she was also raised in tune with her Filipino roots. 

“I only speak Japanese and English, but I have a Filipino spirit,” she prided, setting the tone for her mission to unveil the curtain on the country’s rising dance stars. 

Tickets for Stella Dance Jam will be available on TICKETWORLD starting May 23. – Raine Romero/Rappler.com

Raine Romero is a Rappler intern studying AB Political Science with a minor in Creative Writing at De La Salle University.