DJ Seduza flexes her Pinoy roots on the global stage
MANILA, Philippines — Playing at the &Friends Festival 2026 in Okada Manila was a full-circle moment for Filipina-Chinese American DJ Seduza, who previously graced the stages of Coachella and Head in the Clouds.
Born Michelle Macrohon, she was raised in Los Angeles, where she is also based, to a Filipina mother and a Filipino-Chinese father from Batangas. Growing up, she frequently traveled between the Philippines and the United States.
“I’m trying to come here, like, every other month if I can. But if I were to count, I was here when I was, like about seven or eight years old,” she recalled to The STAR in an exclusive interview. “And then, gratefully, after my first year of college, my grandpa took me after I was 18. And that’s when I got to really meet my Mindanao family, like the Muslim community.”
Before performing at the &Friends Festival 2026, Seduza’s first-ever performance in the Philippines was in her mother’s hometown in Batangas. “I was really like in my years of DJing, and one of my goals last year was to play in Asia more. I want to play for the Philippines more. I want to be here more.”
She was also able to explore different cities across the Philippines through various fellowships. Before launching her DJ career, she completed an internship at the Kumu app and founded Subtle Filipino Traits, a global online community for Filipinos and the Filipino diaspora.
“That has always been something that I never really was extremely public about. When this came out, it was just like a full circle because I’ve always been grateful to be Filipino. I’m grateful for what this culture has enabled and taught me growing up. The community is huge, or my mom’s humor and her singing and the culture of just being uplifting despite whatever you go through,” she mused.
“I would say resilience is something huge that I’ve learned about being Filipino. And so just being here, we always want to give to each other. We’re the hospitable community. We want to give with no expectations. So, I’m ready to give with no expectations.”
Seduza shared the stage with fellow electronic dance music artists, including Subtronics, Porter Robinson, Filipino-Japanese artist Alan Shirahama of Generations from Exile Tribe, DJ Cupcakes, ARMNHMR, Filipino-Australian DJ Tye Turner and several other performers.
Set against a lively, high-energy backdrop, the two-night indoor music festival, presented by Clouted, drew guests dressed in sexy, fashionable outfits as they partied well into the night.
Clouted co-founders Justin Banusing, Adriel Yong and David Viray were also in attendance.
Meanwhile, The STAR spoke with Seduza about her Filipino roots, musical style and journey as a DJ.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
How would you describe your brand or style of music?
“Unpredictable, fresh and familiar, experimental, very melancholy, but also uplifting. At the same time, I like to emulate all kinds of emotions because that’s what life is too. And so to be able to do that, I think a huge word I like to use as well is I like to play tastefully. And like I said, I like to make people sexy. I think that’s just another cute word for confidence and just unforgettable.
“So, I hope it’s almost addictive. Like I want people to be like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know what to expect, but I want that again.’ Because it’s not just about what you’re hearing, but it’s like the feeling that these songs give you. And then I take you from this to that, and you’re still here with me. And I like that push and pull.”
What inspired your stage name?
“It is actually a character from this cartoon show called ‘The Powerpuff Girls.’ It’s about these three super-powered sister girls. There’s a character named Sedusa. S-E-D-U-S-A. And she’s this sexy baddie.
“There’s this one time I did a photo shoot. Long story short, I got knee surgery. I wasn’t really feeling sexy. And then my friend was like, ‘Let’s do a photo shoot.’ In my little cast, it’s just a funny thing to do. And then, at that time, like, we saw the pictures. And we were like, ‘Oh, it’s giving Sedusa like that character.’
“Actually, before DJing, I actually wanted to be a rapper. So, Seduza was like a secret rapper name. So, later on, when I started wanting to be a DJ, my Instagram name back then was Notorious Michelle, like Notorious B.I.G., who’s a rapper from the East Coast.
“When I was becoming a DJ, I (didn’t) want people knowing my real name. So, jokingly, I said Sedusa, the character. She is a villain because she seduces people to do her vices. My twist on it was I seduce people with the way I manipulate music. I like to make people feel sexy. I like people to feel confident. I want people to feel just present.
“I think that Seduza’s name and that energy and that identity and character (are) something I like to emulate in myself. And hopefully, inspire people just to be, ‘I like being me, and I’m okay being me. I’m not for everyone.’”
How supportive have your parents been throughout your music career?
“I’m so grateful for them. Growing up, my dad was a drummer at the church, and my mom has always been a wonderful, beautiful, silly woman who loves music. So, my dad was actually a DJ as well. I didn’t want to say I necessarily became a DJ because of that. But it was cool to see that I am kind of really like my dad.
“When it came to DJing, though, it was post-college. I worked really hard in college, and I ended up dropping out of grad school to take a break from school.
“But music has always been one of my best friends. When I became a DJ, my mom was nervous at first, right? Because (I’m) a female, young and, you know, maganda. Just kidding, joke lang, joke lang. She was like, ‘Girl, what do you mean you’re going to be (with) all these men and alcohol and this?’ I’m like, ‘Mom, I’m not there for that. I’m here for the music, and I want to be here. I want you to trust that God is protecting me. I’m protecting me. I’m coming in with good intentions.’ I’m so grateful that she’s been supportive since then and has trusted me.”
Who are some Filipino artists you hope to collaborate with in the future?
“Jessica Domingo, Nadine Lustre, BINI and Vice Ganda.”
What are your thoughts on the growing representation of Asian artists in the global music scene, especially as someone who has performed at Coachella and Head in the Clouds?
“Keep it going. The only way is up, right? With the Internet and the global rise of just the openness of everyone about music. Music is a love language. Music is a universal language. I think that there’s a space for every genre, even the more experimental ones.
“I think people are in a very unique political time and economy where the world constantly always needs healing. And that’s what music is to a lot of people. I think that it’s really beautiful to not only celebrate Pinoys here.
“But, I mean, Pinoys in general have always appreciated Western culture, right? So, the fact that we get to bring it here (is really special). BINI, for example (is a great representation of that). Shout out to all these Pinays and Pinoys who have been rising (on the global stage). We’re here to celebrate each other, and let’s keep doing it that way.”
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