Exclusive: DJ Kim Lee Wants Other Women 'to Feel Confident': 'It's Never Too Late to Pursue Your Dreams'

Growing up, Kim Lee "always knew" she wanted to be in the entertainment industry, which is why it's no surprise she has become the first-ever Asian female DJ to hold a residency at the Wynn in Las Vegas.

"I always loved music, and my mom even bought me a piano, which really sparked my love!" the 35-year-old exclusively tells Morning Honey. "I remember when my agent called me to tell me that I got the residency. The feeling was so exciting, emotional, and I finally felt like my 11 years of hard work had finally paid off."

Lee's residency was announced in 2021, alongside some of the biggest names in music, including The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Kygo and Diplo.

Now, the artist, who is known for her high energy and dance music, is continuing to release new music in 2024.

"I think what sets me apart from other artists in the DJ space is that my sets are usually a mixture of edits and mashups that I have made myself," she shares, adding that she looks up to Diplo, Skrillex and Gesaffelstein. "I think what makes my show different from others is that I bring a lot of girls on stage. I wanted to create a fun space for the girls to dance and have an experience to be on stage with me feel confident. The goal is always to make people dance and sing during my sets!"

"I like to watch other DJ’s sets whenever I can, and if not, I am always listening to different mixes online," she says of how she gets inspired.

Though being a DJ can be tiring, the California native wouldn't have it any other way. "My favorite part about the job is that I get to travel all over the world and immerse myself into different cultures. The hardest part is constantly being on the road away from my loved ones and pets," she admits.

From DJing to appearing on Bling Empire and dabbling in fashion, Lee isn't stopping anytime soon. "I honestly love staying busy and taking on new projects all at once," she says. "I have been going to acting class and training martial arts full time when not DJing. This year I’ll be focusing on scripted TV and film."

"I think Bling Empire really boosted my career in a positive way. I came on the show truly being myself and made many mistakes along the way, but I think that’s what made me relatable to so many people. I wasn’t trying to be liked or perfect," she continues.

Going forward, Lee is encouraging other women to take a chance and be bold.

"I hope to empower other women by motivating them to work out and stay healthy. I always put my health first before anything. Setting boundaries and taking care of your mental health is so important as well," she notes. "I hope to inspire more women to feel confident — and remember it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. I hope to continue to inspire women to chase their passion and portray that you truly can do anything you set your mind to."

She concludes: "My hope is to collaborate with brands that I like whether that be wearing certain brands during my sets or even DJ at fashion shows."