DJ Mao Hamasaki speaks out after alleged drugging in Hong Kong
The Japanese DJ says the case is now with the police after she tested positive for four substances following a Halloween gig drink
Japanese DJ Mao Hamasaki, also known as DJ Mao, has regained consciousness and is recovering in a Hong Kong hospital after an alleged drugging during Halloween weekend performances in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Hamasaki, who is also a former Japanese adult film actress, was booked for a Halloween event in Hong Kong and planned to play a second set at another venue afterward.
According to SCMP, her manager said she began convulsing after drinking from a glass of what was thought to be orange juice, offered by a stranger.
Hamasaki wrote about the incident on her X account.
Before heading to her second gig of the night, she drank a couple of shots she described as “something like an orange juice-flavoured cocktail?”. She said she noticed something cloudy at the bottom of the glass but assumed it was pulp.
About 40 minutes to an hour later, she began her set. She recalled an intense dryness in her eyes. After toasting a customer with the same drink, her body stiffened and her memory cut off. She woke up in an ambulance and was told she had suffered a seizure.
Hospital tests returned positive for four substances, her manager said, and she was admitted to intensive care early Sunday morning.
Around the time of the incident, her manager posted on DJ Mao’s official Facebook page, with the translated caption “Someone was drugged at work”, accompanied by two photos of her being wheelchaired into an ambulance.
She has since regained consciousness. In posts on Threads, she said, “I am now sober, but due to safety concerns, the doctor recommends hospitalisation for observation.”
In her latest post on X on November 2, Hamasaki stated: “With this incident, I faced drugs for the first time in my life. And I've felt the terror and harm of them firsthand.”
She said she wants to help educate others and issue warnings about drug abuse prevention: “Moving forward, to ensure no one else ends up a victim like me, I want to do what I can to raise awareness and issue warnings about preventing drug abuse (anti-drug efforts) and share it with as many people as possible in whatever form I can.”
She also stated: “Once I'm discharged, I'll start giving statements to the local police, so this will be my last post about this from my own account!”
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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