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WHO
Kojii was born and raised in Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland but currently resides between Los Angeles and her family’s castle in Tipperary, Ireland.
From an early age it was clear that a life in the Arts was imminent as she was rarely without a paint-brush, an instrument or a tune on her lips.
Being the daughter of Enda Wyatt, bass player of Irish rock band “An Emotional Fish” (Atlantic Records) certainly helped her love of music and the entertainment industry along.
After studying Technical Stage & Production alongside costume design, lighting operation/design and stage management. Kojii worked as a freelance Stage Manager in Irish Theatres for 4 years and even found herself at work in a Parisian Circus. Stage Management led her on a trip to Los Angeles where she uncovered the possibility of modeling.
Upon her return to Ireland she was immediately signed by Top Irish Agent Rebecca Morgan. Within days Morgan had Kojii on the Runway for esteemed Irish designer John Rocha, before the cream of the Irish fashion world. From here Kojii’s career as a model climbed until she found it was time to return to Los Angeles and pursue her goals to greater heights.
Throughout her career Kojii has never forgotten her dream to make music. She continued to write and stay in touch with her old band mates from childhood knowing that someday they would be in a position to re-kindle the sound they wanted.
After her marriage to Austrian photographer Cyril Helnwein and the birth of their first child, Croí Sequoia in December 2005 Kojii decided it was time to show people that parenthood does not mean giving up on your dreams.
The birth of their second daughter Éala Cheyenne in April 2011 solidified her goals.
She raises her daughters to realise that their wildest dreams are in fact, attainable.
“Dreams are not ghosts to ponder on but goals to grab a hold of and make true.” ~ Kojii Helnwein
In 2006, Kojii reunited with old friends and band mates Kelly and Burke in Ireland. They quickly knuckled down to songwriting via skype and email until Kojii returned to Ireland to hunt for a drummer. Thus we find the addition of drummer Keogh to the group. Three weeks later the band, known as Kojii had begun booking shows around Ireland and soon found themselves with airtime on Irish radio and on National TV.
For two years the band worked around Kojii’s travel between Ireland and LA. Separated throughout Winters, writing online, then regrouping for long Summer months of touring, writing and recording.
Currently, due to lack of funding the band are separated indefinitely, Kojii in Los Angeles, Keogh, Burke and Kelly in Ireland. Each band member is pursuing side projects of their own.
Kojii’s time in LA is spent working full time as a model, represented by Click Model Management and Flick East/West Talents. (In Europe Kojii is represented by 1st Option Ireland). She also attends classes at The Acting Center to continue her work as an actress which stems from her Stage Training as well as co-writing with various musicians while seeking to start a new band based in LA for an entirely new project.
A track co-written by Kojii & Gods and Monsters will air on KROQ radio in LA mid-November 2008.
KOJII HELNWEIN can be seen on “PROJECT RUNWAY” Season 6 & “MODELS OF THE RUNWAY” Season 1
August 20th, 10pm ET/PT
on Lifetime -
