
Meet Jannine Parawie Weigel. Like any 13-year-old girl, she enjoys lemonade, pizza, the color pink, and Hunger Games (the movie not, you know, actual hunger games). She also speaks five languages, plans to get a bachelor’s degree by the time she’s 16 and was already signed to GMM Grammy, Thailand’s largest media company.
And if you don’t feel like you’re underachieving enough yet, she also has the face and voice of an angel, and by all accounts seems like a genuinely well-mannered young woman. Now before you pick up that revolver, enjoy the song-stylings of this up-and-coming Thai-German wunderkind.
First, here’s a self-introduction by Miss Weigel who sings under the name Jannina W. In this video she sends her regards to fans in Thai, English, German, Chinese, and Vietnamese. She boasts native-level Thai and German, proficient English ability, and “shaky” Chinese and Vietnamese skills, but she’s working on it.
In 2010, Jannina W started out as a model, but at age 11 turned her attention to singing. After only three months of study and training she entered a national televised singing contest for children called Singing Kids and got third place.
From there she was signed to GMM Grammy. Her first official music video was with the Thai group Getsunova using her nickname Ploychompoo (Pink Sapphire)
Although she’s a signed artist, Jannina W still realizes that she needs more training and is working hard on her craft. Meanwhile, she is also simultaneously taking two Distance education courses to obtain her high school certificate by next year and a fast-track University degree in 2016.
Although extremely busy, Miss Weigel is also aware of keeping one’s image out there, so she’s been steadily releasing cover songs on YouTube, such as this hit for Rihanna.
Despite being a work-in-progress, Jannina W has already amassed a legion of fans on YouTube. As of this writing she has 165,000 subscribers and each song’s comment section is filled with praises from across Asia of “your voice is so addictive,” “You’re my new role model,” and “You’re so cute that you are appointed by every single boy.” I didn’t quite get that last, one but it sure was high praise.
However, comments were also at times critical with reviews of “the voice lacks strength, and the high notes are limited”. However, Jannina admits that she has room for improvement and, as that very same critic points out, “How could we ask for more from a teenage singer? Especially when her charm is enough to cover all possible gaps and holes.” Indeed, if she puts the same level of work into her singing career that she’s put into everything else, who knows what heights Jannina W can reach on the Asian scene and beyond?
Source: YouTube – Jannina W, Jannina W Official Site
Getsunova Video: YouTube – GMM GRAMMY OFFICIAL
▼ Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus cover by Jannina W)
▼ Zombie (Cranberries cover by Jannina W [age 12])
▼ Roar (Katy Perry cover by Jannina W)
▼She also does Thai covers and says that she’s working on a Vietnamese song.


The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Police in Osaka file charges against resident for serial pigeon/crow feeding
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
49-year-old Japanese shut-in spends weeks living with corpse of mother who died at home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet