“Tree of Hope”
Directed by Leslie Kee
< Message from Leslie Kee >
We are celebrating Earth Day from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world.
The colorful wish ribbons will be tied to the Tree of Hope displaying people’s wishes in the most beautiful way.
Together with my husband Joshua and all my wonderful friends, who are featured in this special music clip, we would like to deliver the messages of hope to the world, with all our love.
Leslie Kee
(left)
Photographer
Born in Singapore, graduated from Tokyo School of Visual Arts. Leslie Kee is one of the most internationally renowned fashion, art, advertisement and celebrity photographer. Based in Tokyo and travels frequently to work in New York, Paris and other Asia regions. He is also an artistic film director for short films and music videos.
Leslie was awarded the 40th Japan Advertising Photographer’s Association – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Minister’s Award for his Great Eastern Japan Earthquake charity photo book「LOVE & HOPE」published in 2011.
He has self-published more than 100 titles of 「SUPER」magazine series, which he has collaborated with big names such as Lady Gaga, Yohji Yamamoto, Ayumi Hamasaki, Yoshiki, Rent Musical, DSqaured, Armani Exchange, Gap, Adidas, Uniqlo, Lacoste etc.
His LGBT project「OUT IN JAPAN」which he spent 5 years photographing over 3000 portraits of LGBT people in Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, was selected as Recommended Works by Jury of the 19th Japan Cultural Affairs Media Arts Festival Entertainment Division.
Leslie is also a pioneer enthusiastic promoter of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), collaborating with the United Nations and directed the first official music video「Boogie Woogie Love Train」 for SDGs Japan.
In 2016, Leslie has been assigned by NHK as the official photographer and film director for a four year project titled 「2020 PORTRAIT MESSAGES by LESLIE KEE」 to support Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(right)
English Teacher / Model
Born in 1988, Ohio, USA. Married to photographer Leslie Kee. In December 2017, when Joshua was interning as an English teacher at Okayama University of Science, he met Leslie in the 「OUT IN JAPAN」project in Hiroshima. After returning to the United States to complete his bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, Leslie flew to Ohio to propose to him in May 2019. They are the first gay couple to hold a marriage equality wedding party at the Tokyo America Club on 22 November 2020, Good Couple Day. While working as an English teacher, he is also active as an art and fashion model. Joshua and Leslie together as a couple are essential role models and popular public figures on TV and social media in supporting marriage equality and spreading the importance of diversity, especially in Japan and Asia.
Written by AIKA , Kelsie Watts , Reezy , NicoTheOwl
Produced by NicoTheOwl
Performed by Kelsie Watts featuring Reezy
Runnin & runnin
Im after somethin
Somethin to take me to the other side
High on a feelin
I kept believin
All that i needed’s on the other side
Breathe it in
‘Drenaline
Party just startin
Dancing across the finish line Imma win
Hurdlin
Feel my heart pumpin Dancing across the finish line
Oh Baby
Everything i’m needin
Love is what i’m feelin
Shout it out
Live out loud
Oh baby
In my coliseum Unity is freedom Shout it out
Live out loud
Runnin & runnin
Im after somethin
Somethin to take me to the other side
High on a feelin
I kept believin
All that i needed’s on the other side
Breathe it in
‘Drenaline
Party just startin
Dancing across the finish line Imma win
Hurdlin
Feel my heart pumpin Dancing across the finish line
Oh Baby
Everything i’m needin
Love is what i’m feelin
Shout it out
Live out loud
Oh baby
In my coliseum Unity is freedom Shout it out
Live out loud