Devon Edwenna Aoki, born on August 10, 1982, in New York City, is an American supermodel and retired actress known for her career in fashion and film.
Raised in Malibu, California, and London, England, she is the daughter of Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, the Japanese-American founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, and Pamela Hilburger, a jewelry designer of German and English descent.
Devon’s multicultural background—Japanese, German, and English—shaped her unique appeal, which challenged conventional beauty standards in the fashion industry.
Discovered at 13, she began modeling and quickly rose to prominence, becoming a celebrated figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Beyond modeling, she made a mark in Hollywood with roles in films like 2 Fast 2 Furious and Sin City.
Siblings
Devon is part of a large and diverse family, with six siblings—three full siblings and three half-siblings—stemming from her father’s multiple marriages.
Her full siblings, born to Rocky Aoki and Pamela Hilburger, are Kyle N. Aoki and Echo V. Aoki.
Kyle, born around 1977, maintains a low profile, with little public information about his career, though he is believed to have worked in the family’s restaurant business.
Echo, born in 1985, is an artist whose creative pursuits focus on fine art and personal expression, distinct from the commercial paths of her siblings.
She served on Benihana’s board of directors, focusing on marketing, and prefers a private life, with her contributions highlighting the Aoki family’s appreciation for culture and creativity.
Devon’s half-siblings include Steve Aoki, Kana Grace Nootenboom, Kevin Aoki, and Jenifer Crumb, born to Rocky Aoki’s first wife, Chizuru Kobayashi, and another partner.
Steve Aoki, born November 30, 1977, is a Grammy-nominated DJ, record producer, and founder of Dim Mak Records, recognized as a global leader in electronic dance music.
His high-energy performances and collaborations with artists like BTS and Linkin Park have cemented his fame, making him the most prominent of Devon’s siblings.
Kana Grace, older than Steve, is a marriage and family therapist based in Nevada, with a master’s degree from Vanguard University.
She has two daughters, Yumi Nu and Natalie Nootenboom, both models, with Yumi gaining recognition as a plus-size model and singer-songwriter.
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Kevin Aoki, another half-sibling, owns Doraku Sushi restaurant and has worked in the family’s hospitality business.
Jenifer Crumb, discovered later through a paternity suit, leads a private life with minimal public details.
Career
Aoki’s career began at 13 when she was scouted at a Rancid concert, leading to her introduction to modeling legend Kate Moss by her godmother.
By 1997, she debuted on the runway, walking for prestigious brands like Chanel, Balenciaga, and Comme des Garçons.
At 16, she replaced Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace, a testament to her rapid rise in the fashion world.
Her androgynous look and petite stature—standing at 5’5”—challenged industry norms, earning her a cult following and campaigns with brands like Lancome, Hugo Boss, and Moschino.
In 2007, she designed a capsule collection for Levi’s Asian market, showcasing her creative influence in fashion.
She returned to modeling in 2017, walking for Moschino and appearing in campaigns for Sephora and Swarovski, and in 2019, she was featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s “Bazaar Icons” issue.
Her modeling career continues, with a 2023 Acne Studios campaign marking her enduring relevance.
In acting, Devon carved a niche in Hollywood, debuting in D.E.B.S. (2004) as Dominique, followed by her iconic role as Suki in 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), where her pink Honda S2000 became a cultural touchstone.
She portrayed Miho in Sin City (2005), earning praise for her synchronization with the comic book character, and starred in DOA: Dead or Alive (2006) and Mutant Chronicles (2008).
She also appeared in music videos, including Fergie’s “M.I.L.F. $” and Steve Aoki’s “Waste It on Me” with BTS.
Devon retired from full-time acting in 2009 to focus on motherhood but remains a fashion icon, with her Y2K-inspired looks influencing contemporary trends.
Accolades
Models.com considers her an industry icon, and in 2017, Dazed’s Dominic Cadogan dubbed her a “cult model” and one of the “most recognizable alternative faces of the 90s,” noting her work with photographers like Juergen Teller and Ellen von Unwerth.
In 2019, Marie Claire named her one of the 15 supermodels of the 2000s who changed fashion, highlighting her role in redefining beauty standards.
L’Officiel USA called her an “eternal fashion It-girl,” while I-D magazine praised her as a defining face of the millennium, listing her iconic outfits.
Her influence extends to pop culture, with Rihanna channeling her 2 Fast 2 Furious look for a Fenty Beauty campaign in 2019.
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