Merveille was born in Seattle, Washington to a French-American father and a Japanese mother.[3][4][5] She was raised in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture, where she lived until the age of 14. While in her teens, her parents decided that she would receive education in America.[6]
She soon got involved in the art of DJing after returning to the US.[7][8][9][10] In regards to this period, DJ Heavygrinder stated:
The school we both attended was a 40-minute walking distance from my house. Pretty far if you ask me. We had to be seated by 8:30 every morning. We had 5 or 6 subjects a day and attended school Monday to Friday, and every second Saturday. My favorite classes were History, Music, and Art. Me and my friends use to go to Karaoke or Arcades after school from time to time. There are quite a few memories that stand out but my favorite one of them all was wearing a school uniform everyday!! I found that to be very neat. I lived with my mother and I was a latch-key child. I was attending an acting school at the time and had landed a few modeling/acting gigs. I was 14. We moved back so I could get an American education. I didn't like it at all. I loved the life and friends in Japan. I've always viewed myself as "a global citizen." I was soft spoken and shy. Had some piercings and wore Metal T-shirts and always liked to sit in the back of the classroom.[11]
Although she worked as an actress during her years in Japan, she has very little or no interest in acting. In several interviews, she has stated:
When I lived in Japan, I was enrolled in acting classes. I had a few small parts in some Japanese soap operas. I also did some fashion modelling. There are not too many Asian girls that are 5' 8", so I had some cool opportunities. I wasn't too comfortable with acting. While the acting classes were supposed to make me more outgoing, I think it had a reverse effect. Now, I'm more self-conscious than ever and I'm really shy. But it's a totally different story when I'm spinning. I guess I have an alter ego or something. I'm alive, I interact with the crowd and I'm just driven by the beat.[15]
DJ Heavygrinder also performed at AnimeMatsuri in Houston,TX in March 2011, as well as March 2014.
