Nina's Profile
- Full Name: Nina Hillman
- Native Name: 牧野仁菜
- Nicknames: Nina Makino, Woof Woof, 니나
- Birthday: Feb 27, 2005 (20 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height/Weight: 171 cm (5'7") / N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Debut: Dec 2, 2020
- Position: Main Vocalist, Maknae
- MBTI: INFJ
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, USA
-
Nationality:
Japanese-American
- Profession: Singer
- Language Skills: Japanese, English
- Group: NiziU
Nina, full name Nina Makino-Hillman, was born on February 27, 2005, in Seattle, Washington, USA. She is an American–Japanese singer, dancer, and actress, currently managed by JYP Entertainment. Nina is the youngest member (maknae) and the main vocalist of the girl group NiziU.
Early Life
Nina is the youngest child in a family of two siblings. Her father is French-American, and her mother is Japanese. In 2018, her family moved to Japan. Before joining JYP Entertainment, Nina gained acting experience from a young age in both the United States and Japan. She participated in multiple musicals and television programs, including a role in the film Blood Friends (2019).
Career
Influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures, Nina was encouraged by her family to freely pursue the arts. At the age of 8, she began participating in local theater activities, particularly in children’s Broadway musicals and independent short film projects. Notably, her roles in Divine Shadow (2016) and Blood Friends (2019) helped her gain acting experience and familiarize herself with professional environments.
In 2018, when Nina was 13, her family decided to move to Japan to provide better opportunities for her long-term career development in Asia. There, Nina quickly adapted to her new surroundings, studying Japanese formally while also appearing on the NHK children’s science program Suiensā, where she began attracting attention for her energetic personality and flexible language skills.
By 2019, Nina auditioned for the global selection of the “Nizi Project” (organized by JYP Entertainment), where she left a strong impression with her bright soprano vocals and natural stage presence despite her young age. After more than 10 months of intense training alongside other contestants, Nina was officially selected to debut in the 9-member J-pop girl group NiziU on December 2, 2020, taking on the roles of main vocalist and maknae (youngest member).
Strengths
Nina possesses a soprano voice with a bright and clear tone, sometimes tinged with a cute, playful nuance when hitting high notes — a distinctive trait that made her stand out from the early rounds of Nizi Project (2020) and secured her spot in NiziU’s official lineup. After the group expanded its activities to South Korea (2023), Nina continued to handle high notes in songs like Memories, Sweet Nonfiction, and LOVE LINE (2025), maintaining a simple vocal approach that focuses on tone color and stability.
Controversy
Nina’s career has also faced pressures from the demanding training environment and media scrutiny. She was criticized by some Japanese and Korean netizens for her Japanese pronunciation, claiming she sounded unnatural due to cultural differences. However, with support from her family and her own efforts, Nina improved her language skills and gradually built the image of a multilingual maknae for NiziU.
When the teaser for NiziU’s Blue Moon MV was released in 2023, Nina was caught up in a “concept plagiarism” controversy as the MV’s theme was compared to TWICE’s Feel Special. Although the company denied the allegations, Nina still became a target of criticism on social media.
In 2024, debates over Nina’s image reignited when fans argued she was being “boxed into” a cute concept that no longer suited her maturing personality. The hashtag #LetNinaBeNina trended in Japan after the teaser for Sweet Bomb was released.
Reputation
Despite facing significant pressure, Nina has remained steadfast and gradually established herself as one of the leading Gen Z vocalists in J-pop. Vivi Japan magazine included her in their list of “Top 10 Most Influential Idols” thanks to her versatility and relentless spirit of self-challenge.
In 2024, beyond her music activities, Nina became a brand ambassador for Nike Japan and GU (Uniqlo Group), appearing extensively in promotional campaigns across Shibuya, Harajuku, and top fashion magazines like Vivi, NYLON Japan, and Elle Girl Japan, showcasing a style that blends bold streetwear with modern chic.
Fun Facts
- Nina’s English name is Nina Hillman.
- Fans often call her “Woof Woof” because she likes to draw dogs in her autograph.
- Although the youngest, she screams to wake up the whole group every morning, like a living alarm clock.
- She can speak four languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and a bit of French.
- She fell in love with K-pop after hearing BLACKPINK’s As If It’s Your Last at a Japanese diner.
- She’s close friends with Jiwoo (NMIXX) — they often FaceTime to chat.
- She’s terrified of insects; she runs “chaotically” if she sees a spider.
- Has a habit of writing an emoji diary before bed.
- Known as the “mood keeper” of NiziU — always finds ways to cheer up the group.
- Her daily fashion style is very “chill”: wide-leg pants, hoodies, and white sneakers.
Photo Gallery
