Katayanagi Twins Denied U.S. Entry Before Major Performance

The Auckland-based DJ duo, the Katayanagi Twins, have been denied entry into the United States as they attempted to travel for a scheduled performance. Rain and China Katayanagi, who recently performed at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom, were en route to Los Angeles when they encountered immigration issues.

In a social media post, Rain Katayanagi shared their experience, stating they were “flying to LA to chase Summer.” Accompanying the post was a video that depicted various flight clips, but the mood quickly shifted when she revealed that the duo had been denied entry and placed on a one-way flight back to New Zealand. The post included footage of the plane taking off, with one of the twins visibly upset.

The exact reasons for the Katayanagi Twins‘ denial of entry remain unclear. They had been set to perform at Polyfest, a significant Pacific cultural festival in Washington, where their absence has raised concerns among fans and organizers.

In a separate but related social media update, New Zealand musician General Fiyah expressed his disappointment at being unable to perform due to similar immigration issues. He stated, “I am really sorry to let you all know that I won’t be able to make the performance tonight. I was detained and sent back to New Zealand, which means I can’t be there to share this moment with you.”

This incident follows another recent case involving a New Zealand mother, Sarah Shaw, who was detained with her six-year-old son at an immigration facility in Texas. They were safely returned to their home in Washington state the previous week.

As the Katayanagi Twins and their management have yet to comment further on this situation, fans are left awaiting clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding their denied entry. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by international artists in navigating U.S. immigration policies, particularly during significant cultural events.