" It ’s not a fault , it ’s a beauty that comes from your ancestors . "
Dinah Jane was first introduced to fans on the 2d season ofThe X Factor , where she fall in four other contestants to formFifth Harmony . With hits like " Work from Home " and " deserving It , " they quickly became one of the biggest missy groups of the 2010s .
She began her solo calling as a pop star , sometimes feel at odds with her Tongan upbringing and culture . Now , Dinah has merged her two lives and created a phone that ’s completely bona fide to her .
“It’s not a flaw, it’s a beauty that comes from your ancestors."
For BuzzFeed’sVoices of the Pacificseries , I sit down with Dinah to spill the beans about her new music , incredible career , and thoughts on Pacific Islander representation . But as two Polynesian female child from OC , we hit it off and terminate up chatting for ages !
BuzzFeed: You were only 15 when you auditioned onThe X Factorand joined Fifth Harmony, the best-selling girl group of its time. If you could go back and say anything to your younger self, what would it be?
Dinah Jane : I’d go back to my younger ego and say I ’m so gallant of her . Being one of the first Polynesian artist that have reach the mainstream existence and reaching such acme with the succeeder of the chemical group , I ’ve been able to experience so much . Coming from the small island and the small agency that we get , I ’m grateful to have been a part of something , of a bequest , to give Polynesian a dreaming to go even further . I did n’t reckon a picayune girl like me from Santa Ana or of Polynesian descent would even see the type of winner that I ’ve been able to . I would say I ’m so majestic of her for take care of her kinsfolk at 15 years one-time . That was one of my dream . They ’ve invested so much into me through all the no ’s and the auditory sense , with my mom being by my side , and my dada working two jobs and financially supporting me throughout the whole experience . I ’m thankful that I was able to give back in such a way at 15 , to give my parents a home , elevator car , and all those thing they ’ve been able-bodied to provide for me as a kid . I ’m gallant of her . I feel like I do n’t credit myself enough .
BuzzFeed : That ’s an important point because I think for a portion of Malayo-Polynesian , we have so much pridefulness in our people and our cultivation , but we ’re so humble when it total to ourselves as soul .
Yeah , I ’ve receive that even in my adult life . The humbleness we are instruct , and being Polynesian , we ’re teach to always put family first . Especially being the oldest daughter of my family — oldest of eight — I have said , " OK , because I ’ve been able to take care of everyone else now , lease me take precaution of me . " A lot of us do n’t give ourselves that gentle monitor that we weigh as well . Because when you ’re so used to being selfless , you leave to pour into your own cup . Now , I ’m learning that with myself .
Are you still friends with any other Fifth Harmony members? Do you still talk to them?
I ’ve been talk to them since the origin of when we first run our separate direction . We build in the sistership . I retrieve we were first Sister before we were even stage business spouse , and that ’s what made us so particular . I hold up on to that type of family relationship that , even to this day , carries on that same energy . That comes from the big sister in me . It ’s always honey , and it ’s always regard on my end . I feel like I ’ve had these construct - in sisters for the longest , and I ’ll forever cherish the friendly relationship we ’ve had . It ’s still the same type of friendly relationship . Because we were capable to overcome some obstacles throughout the years , we ’re in a good billet powerful now .
BuzzFeed : That ’s so wonderful to hear after all these years . Were you so happy to see Normani ’s late fight ?
Well , in the thick of her getting engage , I was sell with some family funerals that were happening back to back . come from a giving kin , it ’s heartrending to go through . But when I found out about that , I was like , " Oh my gosh ! " There ’s something happy to look at in the midst of my clouds that I ’m dealing with . I ’m so , so happy for her . A few months ago , not too long ago , I just inquire her , " Hey , so what ’s going on ? When are you getting splice ? " She was like , " fille , I hope soon . " And what do you make out ! [ Laughs ] I ’m so happy for her . I would say I kind of call it into existence . [ Laughs ]
BuzzFeed : You manifested it for her !
unquestionably manifested it for her ! She deserves . We ’re all getting to that age now . We ’re all about to get married and have kids , and I ’m just so glad to see everyone in their womanhood .
Have you ever faced challenges in your career as a Pacific Islander? If so, how did you overcome them?
Coming from a lady friend grouping , we ’re all exceedingly heathen ; we drift from all over . The audience always perceived that I was Latina or Latina / Black . So , I was told from people from above to kind of rapier a spell of myself away , being Polynesian , because we come from such a little demographic . They were credibly think there ’s not much of a market of selling me in that lane . I did n’t know how to beguile staying dependable to who I was , because after all the glitz and glamor , I ’m coming home . Home to me is living with my 25 mob member , and what I ’m consuming here at home is the realness of my Polynesian [ life . ] We ’re all bad on family line , big on God . It was putting me in the middle of picking and choosing who I was , this Hannah Montana effect .
In the midst of travel with the girls , I made a stumble to the motherland , to Tonga in 2016 with my grandparents . I fly them out justly before our7/27tour , and I want to go home to have some inspiration before I arrive at the road . It was such a beautiful experience to witness the island with my grandparents for the first time and see their story . That trigger me to venture on my report even more . We do go in room . I should never pucker aside where I come from and my grandparents ' report . If I shy away from who I am , that ’s me face off from my grandparents , who have bestow me to where I ’m at . If it were n’t for them , I would n’t be receive these types of thanksgiving .
So , that was one of the things I sputter with a mint , my identity . I hit up one of my really near friends , who ’s now my managing director , my therapist , my mentor . He ’s encouraged me to go [ down ] the path our ancestors have always encouraged , keep dreaming , reach for the adept . I tell him , " Please , what do I do ? I feel like I ’m suffer myself . What can I do in my artistry , being a little more unparalleled and more true to who I am ? " When I changed management after 2020 , I started diving into who I was meant to be this whole time .
“Ocean Song” off your most recent album,Juice County: Volume 1,is especially meaningful — you once spoke of it as an “ancestor call.” Can you talk aboutthe music video?
That music video was so extra to me . I break the lengths of say a account , of involve every Polynesian cleaning lady in there , showing the natural stunner to us , our hair , our color , our body shape , down to the young girls that were in the medicine video . Arayah was one of the little girl in there , and she was just so full of light source . She ’s like , " I ’m Tongan ! " She ’s full - on Samoan ! And I was like , " You could be whatever Islander you desire because we are one . " That commentary , still to this daytime , gives me chill because she was gallant to be of any ethnicity in the Polynesian realm . It ’s beautiful to see that it ’s stir so many immature women and invigorate them .
It really feels like the album was your way of showing the world exactly who you are — from your pride in your roots to the musical influences you love. Can we expect a similar project in the future? Or are there other genres and parts of yourself you want to explore?
I find like there ’s so many version of myself . I grew up listen to everything . My dad was a big reggae psyche , pelvis - record hop . He lived in LA , specifically Rowland Heights . You know what they say — what your parents listen to is what sort of makes you you , or it creates your playlist . My mom ’s a singer herself , so I produce up listening to her singingWhitney Houstonand every ' 90s R&B artist . That ’s where my mom was : Mariah Carey , Toni Braxton , SWV . And my parents are vernal , so I would say they had really practiced taste in music at the clock time .
If you could work with any Pacific Islander, who would it be and why?
Junior Maile . He was someone that really stick out to me , him and Alo Key . I feel like those are the ones I really grew up listening to the most , and even the I off of YouTube . Chris Ramos , he had a Song dynasty that everyone was trying to do a covering to with the ukulele . Lateeya was big on her " Cheap Date " or her " Lullaby . " I would go back and collaborate with them .
I would in spades do a song with Aaradhna . She ’s one of my biggest icon , over Beyoncé , over Mariah Carey . If it were n’t for Aaradhna , I really would n’t have started this idea of trying to be one of the first Polynesians to go mainstream . We ’re always sharing love to each other online , and I literally get starstruck every time . Wow . People I grew up listening to and are my biggest inspiration are talking to me . To this day , I still get chills when she hits me up . I try not to say nothing wrong . I overthink my message . I go for I do n’t sound like a fangirl too much . That ’s just how much I love and prize her . She deserves her flower .
For Pacific Islanders, there are so many aspects of our cultures that we hold close to our hearts, from our foods to our dances to our tattoos. What’s your favorite part of your culture?
My favourite part of our refinement is the singing and the intonation . I was in Hawai’i in December , and I closed off my go out there . The next day , I was able to go to PCC [ Polynesian Cultural Center ] . Anytime I find out Polynesian sing together in unison of any type of song without any musical instrument , it ’s so scarey to me , and it postulate me back home . It make me feel like I ’m back on the island . It makes me finger like I ’m back where my grandparent were walking , where their footprints begin . When I was there in Hawai’i , I remembered experiencing them singing to us , to me . To this day , I still get chills about it because it was from the heart . The medicine is what really drive me and make me scream . If they ’re scorch so beautiful and it ’s a overnice Song dynasty , I feel like it ’s such a cradlesong when our people blab out . That ’s the type of lullaby I could log Z’s to , cry to , champion . I would love to listen to us telling before I go on stagecoach because that ’s what will hype me up . There ’s just so much power and intent . You just find like your root are in the elbow room , singing with them and speak . They were singing Māori , and I do n’t know much of the language , but I palpate like that ’s what pass water our masses feel like one . If it ’s Tongan , if it ’s Fijian , if it ’s Samoan , whatever language it is , it still find like home .
Do you have a favorite Tongan food?
It ’s gruelling to choose one thing . I was in Utah not too long ago , and I went to Pacific Seas , off of Redwood . That ’s the first thing I wanted when I landed , Tongan nutrient . So I get there , and the first thing I say I want on my plate is lu sipi . It ’s like the Samoan palusami . Tongan , we like adding more , we ’re a little extra . edda entrust , you have meat in there , you’re able to have corned beef in there , or sipi , lamb , coconut milk and onions and all that .
What advice do you have for young Pacific Islander creatives?
As cliché as this may sound , stay unfeigned to yourself and severalise your narrative . If not your account , narrate your mummy ’s story , tell your parent ' stories , tell your grandparent ' story within your medicine . It may seem little to you , but that dim-witted affair would definitely interchange your perspective and influence you within your music .
There ’s some songs I ’ve been capable to commit to my grandparents , " Ocean Song " being one of them . Because of that , that change my perspective with my medicine , of how I want to carry it out my whole vocation . Share a slight glimpse , whether it ’s telling your story or share the instruments within our music . It was so important for me to include the ukulele , to incorporate our case of chants , the Sipi Tau , in my " Ocean Song . " I ’m including the rugby football role player that played back in 2017 [ where ] I performed ; I was able to share their warrior shout within my music . Just those little things will in spades make a magnanimous influence with what you do move forrader . Never forget your roots and incorporate them in everything you do .
How did you feel when you sang the Tongan national anthem at the Rugby League World Cup Semi Final?
fille , it felt like I was singing for the Super Bowl ! I know no one in America will ever get something that I did in that moment . I do n’t think there ’s another stadium you’re able to ever experience with your own people sing with you . The players pop losing tackles , and when that happened , our citizenry started singing anthem to boost them to get to the end . And I banter you not , I make out the players were so driven by that . Even though they lose in 2017 , I would take away from that World Cup that our hoi polloi still won at the end of the day because we were so one , and we were showing everyone who we were . And I palpate like they lost because of the ref . We would have deliver the goods , but they were not ready for the red sea to take over the whole state [ express mirth ] . But I would definitely say that was one of the best experiences in my aliveness . The Polynesian Super Bowl was by all odds something to experience . If you were n’t there , you missed out , because there was never another like that .
BuzzFeed : I could see even in the video I watch . The emotion , the great unwashed yell , such a unassailable , beautiful moment of unity .
precisely . Before I even got there , my uncle was the one redact it all together . And he ’s like , " Hey , so they have a cartroad for you to go with the anthem . " And I told him , " No , I do n’t need the track . I just want the multitude to lead me . " And he was like , " OK ! If that ’s what you want , you ’d be the first . " But I had a feel the citizenry , we were going to lead each other with the anthem . I ’ll call it a hymn . And what do you know ? They did lead me , and I was capable to make it to the end without exclaim .
My mom ’s kinsfolk from out there , they dressed me . My aunty made my outfit from scratch . My dad ’s family fly in from Brisbane , and they were like , " We ’re going to get you ready , too . " I had a swell - grandma there , and she was also helping me practise it before I went on stage . To have all my masses in that elbow room , I ’ll never forget how they were able-bodied to ready me for that braggy moment . It was n’t just for me . It made me pull in that was for all of us .
You’ve spoken extensively about the importance of body positivity, encouraging your fans to love their figure, “whatever season it’s in.” You’ve also shared that you hope to be an example specifically for brown-skinned boys and girls. Why is spreading this message of self-love so meaningful to you?
It ’s so meaningful to me because I call up of the human face that I helped conjure up : my first cousins that grew up with me in this home , my siblings . As I transition into being a woman or becoming an grownup , I consider of their typeface , of how they also are about to transition into that , and the realization of the internal representation , we do n’t get enough . My sibling are liberal on sports . My brothers are all football participant . My baby sings . I would find out them warn themselves , like , " Oh , I ’m not pretty enough . I ’m not cute enough . I ’m not near enough to play that sport . " It would just put a toll on my heart because that ’s emphatically the last affair you need to hear as an one-time sister . Being so protective with my siblings , I felt I should share that awareness with others , of loving on yourself and roll in the hay that you ’re important and loving your body figure in whatever season it ’s in , loving the hide color you ’re in , and embracing everything that comes with you . Because it ’s not a flaw , it ’s a beauty that comes from your root , comes from your bloodline , and it ’s something that you should always champion and stockpile through , because your sweetheart is your family ’s beaut .
I hope everyone always shares that message with each other within our community , that you are beautiful and that you are important , and that you are talented . We should always bear on them to turn over for the adept and keep wanting more , and there ’s no limit to where we come from and to our achiever .
Finally, what does being Polynesian mean to you?
Being Polynesian means , to me , God first , family second , and then prioritizing you . I love that we all have that character of structure within our biotic community . With God , anything is possible , even overcome the insufferable . With crime syndicate , you ’re able to take your village with you anywhere with your success , and they will always genuinely support you and carry you through any difficult time . And with you , being proud of who you are and where you come from start at home .
Thank you for chatting with us, Dinah! Be sure to keep up with Dinahhere.
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