Kimiko – Modern Dance

By David Holland on March 11, 2026

ARTIST, ACTRESS & PERFORMER

KIMIKO

ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP

MODERN DANCE

DUE OUT MAY 29

& HAS HAD ENOUGH “EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH”

OUT NOW–LISTEN

& MAKES HER DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

WITH OFFICIAL VIDEO–WATCH

THE AWARD-WINNING ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK STAR

OFFICIALLY STEPS INTO MUSIC

Today, Los Angeles-based artist, actress and performer Kimiko Glenn announces her debut EP Modern Dance and shares her latest track and self-directed music video, “Emotional Whiplash” out now under her musical project, KIMIKO. Bracing for impact, the track chronicles the push and pull during the early stages of a relationship that ultimately won’t last.

The creation of KIMIKO’s debut EP was a deeply fun, therapeutic exercise for the multi-hyphenate. Poking fun at her own relationship woes, KIMIKO shares, “Finding the humor while actively sorting out annoying situationship after annoying situationship made the reality of it all feel less big and way more silly.”

The musician found inspiration in the current array of jovial female pop superstars of the moment and their relatability. “I think that’s why so many people respond to Sabrina Carpenter and Lily Allen, among so many incredible female pop stars right now! Their music reflects so much of what we are feeling about modern romance.

For me, listening to their albums has felt validating and poignant, and I hope my music can do something similar for the people who find it. And there is so much more to come! I couldn’t be more excited to share the insides of my brain with the world.”

Almost ready to give up on love, “Emotional Whiplash,” is a contemplative pop ballad that slowly builds around KIMIKO’s dreamy vocals. Pulling from personal experience, KIMIKO says, “‘Emotional Whiplash‘ is based off the experience of someone love-bombing you and then pulling back as soon as you match their energy. This one told me on the second date that he deleted all the apps and told his parents about me. Then said I was moving too fast when I asked if we should schedule another date. Hilariously, I could not tell you what his name was.”

LISTEN: “Emotional Whiplash“

Set between an eerie room of mannequins, an expansive desert and a mechanical bull ride, each mirroring the extremes of an unstable relationship, the accompanying marks KIMIKO’s striking directorial debut. Speaking on the experience and fears and excitement that came with the new role, KIMIKO shares, “To actually muster up the courage and commit to being in this big of a leadership position was really intense!

As an actor, my job is usually very compliant: stand on your mark, wear this outfit, say these things. So to be the one calling all the shots was simultaneously empowering, inspiring, and also so, so frightening. I stayed up many a-night in a full state of panic. I’m feeling so much more relaxed now that’s it’s finally come together!”

WATCH: “Emotional Whiplash” (Official Video)

October 2025, KIMIKO shared the cheeky track and playful video, “Hang Out Forever?” which chronicles a seemingly successful date that goes terribly wrong and expands her entry into music. With much more on the way, KIMIKO plans to cement herself in her own spirited musical universe that displays her lived experiences through lighthearted, brutally honest lyricism and bubbly production.

For over a decade, KIMIKO has captivated audiences on screens and stages worldwide. KIMIKO is best known for her role on Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black, for which she and the cast won three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Since then, KIMIKO was a series regular on the YouTube Original Liza On Demand, and on TBS’s The Guest Book and had guest roles in Sacred Lies (Facebook), High Maintenance (HBO), Broad City (Comedy Central), The Goldbergs (ABC), Mel Brooks’ History of The World, Part II and more. KIMIKO’s feature film credits include Netflix’s Can You Keep A Secret opposite Alexandra Daddario and Freeform’s GHOSTING. Other projects include New Line’s NERVE alongside Emma Roberts and Dave Franco.

Plus, KIMIKO has become a leading voice in animation, including as the titular role of “Baby Shark” in Nickelodeon’s Baby Shark, “Niffty” in the Amazon’s smash hit Hazbin Hotel and continues to voice the role of “Kiff” in Disney’s KIFF which earned four Children & Family Emmy nominations earlier this year. Additional credits include Bojack Horseman, Centaurworld, and My Little Pony: A New Generation with Vanessa Hudgens, Liza Koshy and Sofia Carson.

She is also one of the series leads of the upcoming & highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of the viral game Among Us, will play the lead role in the upcoming Star Wars Visions and voiced the role of “Peni Parker” in the Academy Award-winning feature Spiderman: Into The Spider-Verse, its sequel and its third movie.

The actress, performer and artist has also graced the Broadway stage, where she originated the role of “Dawn” in the adaptation of the 2007 feature film WAITRESS, which was nominated for a 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, with music and lyrics by award-winning pop star Sara Bareilles.

KIMIKO avoids getting love-bombed with the pulsing “Emotional Whiplash” out now. On May 29, KIMIKO will share her long-awaited debut EP Modern Dance. Connect with the artist, actress and performer on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more.

WATCH: “Hang Out Forever?” (Official Video)

Modern Dance EP tracklist