From Intimate Shows to Stadium Spectacle: Audrey Nuna's Unforeseen Ascent
When Audrey Nuna first performed in Australia last August, she graced stages in Sydney and Melbourne that accommodated fewer than 600 people. Tonight, however, she will take the spotlight at Perth Stadium, a colossal venue with a capacity of 60,000, to open the prestigious Women's Asian Cup. This remarkable leap is part of a journey the singer, songwriter, and rapper never anticipated.
The Animated Breakthrough That Changed Everything
Just over nine months ago, Nuna, a genre-blending musician promoting her second album Trench, lent her voice to an animated straight-to-streaming film. KPop Demon Hunters, released on Netflix on June 20, follows the fictional K-pop group Huntr/x, who sell out stadiums while secretly battling demons. By late August, it had become Netflix's most-watched movie ever, amassing over 6.8 million views and even securing a sold-out cinema weekend.
Nuna provided the singing voice for the character Mira, alongside Rei Ami as Zoey and EJAE as Rumi. The trio recorded separately but bonded at the premiere as the film shattered records. Its soundtrack, nominated for five Grammys, won Best Song for Visual Media for Golden, marking the first K-pop track to receive a Grammy. The film is now competing in two categories at the Academy Awards.
Embracing Heritage and Female Excellence
As Nuna rehearsed for a BAFTA performance and prepared to fly to Perth for the Matildas' match against the Philippines, she expressed excitement about her first soccer game and plans to see quokkas. "I have a lot of questions to ask them," she quipped. Yet, the highlight for her is being "around female excellence," a force she describes as "contagious and powerful."
For Nuna, a proud daughter of Korean immigrants raised in New Jersey, the project offers profound rewards. "The best part is healing my inner child through being part of a project centred on Korean culture that obliterates all prior standards," she says. She reflects on childhood experiences, like hiding the smell of her Korean lunches, and now celebrates diversity and inclusivity through her work.
A Journey Forged Through Hard Work and Serendipity
Nuna's path to stardom began with voice lessons in primary school and singing at the US Open at age 10. A breakthrough came when producer Anwar Sawyer discovered her Instagram cover videos, leading to over 100 collaborative songs. While studying at New York University, she would commute overnight to write music, eventually taking a year off to focus on her career.
After self-releasing six songs and signing with Arista Records, her albums a liquid breakfast (2021) and Trench (2024) built a loyal fanbase. However, KPop Demon Hunters catapulted her into the global spotlight. The opportunity arose serendipitously after a challenging SXSW performance, when a studio executive approached her. Initially dismissive, a follow-up call revealed the film's themes of identity and Korean-American women, resonating deeply with Nuna.
Red Carpet Moments and Personal Reflections
The film's success brought Nuna's edgy aesthetic to red carpets, styled by Danyul Brown. At the Golden Globes, her Thom Browne outfit held sentimental value, connecting to her grandfather's work in clothing manufacture. "To have worn his work to the Golden Globes is a full circle moment for my entire family," she shared.
When asked what she would tell her pre-KPop Demon Hunters self, Nuna humorously advises, "Make sure to sleep extra these next few weeks because you are about to have the busiest months of your life." She adds, "Life is but a dream," with a playful note about disputing a storage charge.
Audrey Nuna's performance at Perth Stadium tonight symbolizes not just a career milestone but a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the power of embracing one's true self. As she opens the Women's Asian Cup, her journey inspires fans worldwide, proving that unexpected opportunities can lead to extraordinary heights.
