CUTIE STREET Billboard Japan Ladies in Song Interview

Billboard Japan’s Ladies in Song initiative introduced in 2022 to rejoice artists, manufacturers and bosses who’ve made vital contributions to track and impressed different girls thru their paintings, in the similar spirit as Billboard’s annual Ladies in Song birthday celebration that has endured since 2007. This interview collection that includes feminine gamers within the Eastern leisure business is likely one of the highlights of Japan’s WIM challenge.

The 8 participants of CUTIE STREET sat down with author Rio Hirai for the newest installment of the collection. The J-pop lady crew’s debut unmarried, “Kawaii dake ja dame desu ka?” (which more or less approach, “isn’t it sufficient to simply be lovely?”) took off on social media and hit No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s Heatseekers Songs chart, then went directly to height at No. 2 at the Japan Scorching 100. The participants — Risa Furusawa, Aika Sano, Kana Itakura, Ayano Masuda, Emiru Kawamoto, Miyu Umeda, Nagisa Manabe, Haruka Sakuraba — come from other backgrounds, together with no longer handiest those that aspired to be idol performers from the start, but in addition those that began off being an influencer, actor, dancer, and pupil. The ladies shared their ideas at the message in their debut unmarried and what it approach to be an idol.

You all come from other backgrounds. Why did making a decision to develop into an idol performer, and what does being on this line of labor imply to every of you?

Risa Furusawa: I’ve sought after to be an idol performer since I used to be 8 years outdated. I cherished AKB48 and would dance alongside looking at TV and purchase their CDs to turn my improve. My mom knew this and inspired me to move in for auditions, however even supposing I took section in lots of, I couldn’t get an opportunity at turning into an idol for slightly a while. I labored as a style and influencer prior to making my debut as a member of CUTIE STREET, so it appears like my want has come true and the second one bankruptcy of my lifestyles has begun. Being an idol is one thing I’ve all the time sought after that I’ve now miraculously accomplished.

Kana Itakura: I’ve been taking dancing classes since I used to be little and assume that’s the place all of it started. Dancing resulted in doing modeling gigs and I used to add movies on YouTube. Sooner than turning into enthusiastic about CUTIE STREET, there was once a length when I used to be somewhat nervous about what I must do in lifestyles, however was once given an opportunity to participate within the audition simply as I used to be desirous about what I may do with the dance enjoy I’d won as much as that time. I’ve pals who paintings as idol performers, however being one had by no means crossed my thoughts till then. So being a member of CUTIE STREET is a problem for me.

I all the time aspired to “be cool” (prior to becoming a member of the crowd) and “lovely” (kawaii) was once one thing I checked out from the out of doors to seek out convenience. After turning into any individual who expresses “cuteness,” I spotted that there have been many components packed into that one phrase. Everyone seems to be lovely, however all of them have other colours. At this time, I’m looking for what my lovely is.

Emiru Kawamoto: I started longing to develop into an idol who sings and dances on degree after seeing the anime Beautiful Rhythm when I used to be little. AKB48 was once additionally fashionable on the time and idol teams had been all of the rage in Japan. My dream has all the time been to be an idol performer, and I’ve lived my lifestyles decided not to surrender on that. In fact, stanning your favourite any individual or one thing isn’t very important for lifestyles, not like issues associated with meals, clothes and refuge, however it’s one thing that colours your international. It was once for me, so I do what I do hoping that I will upload colour to any individual’s lifestyles too.

Miyu Umeda: I used to be already an idol performer prior to becoming a member of CUTIE STREET. I were given concerned on this line of labor after being introduced the location and turned into extra keen about it as I saved at it. It was once actually a laugh. However that crew disbanded prior to I may do paintings that glad me. I couldn’t surrender on my dream of being an idol, so I took section within the CUTIE STREET auditions. After in reality attempting it, I believed, “This could be my true calling!” I believe being an idol is significant if any individual sees what you do and turns into motivated, like, “I’ll hold in there day after today too.”

Nagisa Manabe: I’ve all the time favored making a song and dancing, however by no means actually took the plunge. However the COVID pandemic made me take a recent take a look at my lifestyles and I determined to take a look at doing issues I actually wish to do. That’s once I encountered CUTIE STREET. I’ve all the time been the curious sort and the issues I sought after to do have modified so much over time. Now that I’ve began my idol occupation, it feels love it’s one thing that permits me to specific the issues I wish to categorical and in addition the core of who I’m. I’m utterly addicted to it. Being an idol performer is the very first thing that’s made me really feel strongly, “I actually I wish to do that!”

Aika Sano: I used to accomplish in performs and musicals. I came upon the enjoyment of making a song and dancing there, and idea, “I wish to do extra of this,” so I took section within the CUTIE STREET auditions. Now that I’ve in reality got to work as an idol, I on occasion assume, “I didn’t actually perceive idols prior to.” I’ve came upon how a laugh it’s and now wish to paintings even more difficult at it. As an idol, you could have a better courting along with your lovers, and you may harm them along with your movements however you’ll be able to additionally lead them to glad. Having the ability to immediately really feel that you just’re being a improve for any individual or that you are making them glad is encouraging.

Ayano Masuda: I additionally belonged to the similar idol crew Miyu was in. I met many lovers all the way through my time in that crew and once we disbanded, they instructed me such things as, “I used to be glad (to improve you)” and “Let’s hold difficult in combination to any extent further, too.” On account of the ones lovers, I sought after to do higher at my performances and paintings more difficult on social media posts in order that extra other people were given to understand us, and I modified so much. Being an idol performer is actually incredible and my lifestyles turned into much more a laugh.

Haruka Sakuraba: I believe being an idol calls for power, each psychological and bodily. Being interested in the power of alternative idols has for my part stored me prior to now. Idols have the ability to lend a hand other people, to be a supply of inspiration for any individual, to offer any individual the power to are living, so I wish to be an idol like that.

What’s the message being conveyed by means of your track, “Kawaii dake ja dame desu ka?” (“isn’t it sufficient to simply be lovely?”)

Kawamoto: The word “Isn’t it sufficient to simply be lovely?” would possibly sound somewhat pushy and vicious, like, “It’s excellent sufficient to simply be lovely, isn’t it?” In truth, we’ve won feedback pronouncing, “After all simply being lovely isn’t sufficient” and “That’s no longer appropriate in society.” However I believe that what “isn’t lovely” for one particular person is also lovely for any individual else, and that the lyrics put across the message, “Let’s settle for and love all of the issues about ourselves that aren’t lovely.” There are many sure words within the lyrics, like, “I will be actually lovely if I am going all out” and “play up your strengths” and “in comparison to my giant desires, those errors are small.”