ModelPress Interview
After 5 years, Watanabe Mayu is back with her new photobook “Shiranai Uchi ni”(“Without Realizing It”) which will be released on 25th October 2016. This will be her first time showing herself in lingerie and her transformation from an idol to a woman. In the book she will also reveal secrets to her beauty regime.
Q: Please talk about your feelings after seeing your photobook.
It’s full of photos i like and a very confident piece of work! There were ones which were cut, but they are all photos which i wish can be included.
Q: It’s different from your previous work “Mayuyu” released in 2011?
I was 17 then, so this time i wanted to show off something entirely different and talked to the staff. I was able to show off an adult side now that i’m 22. I challenged lingerie for the first time. Up till now i’ve only worn swimwear so i was really embarrassed and nervous. It’s supposed to end up sexy, and since we’re going all the way to LA, i was very worried if i can deliver the effect.But when i reached LA, the open atmosphere made me relaxed. I’ve been to LA on a private trip and i like it alot. It’s a place where i can be open so it was great i went there for the shooting.
Q: Why lift the ban on lingerie at this timing?
22 is an age of a woman, and i wanted to show off something different and surprising from my usual idol image.Also, scenes of me drinking sake while at the Yakiniku, there are lots of scenes which i haven’t shown in the past! I don’t drink publicly, so i’m showing my drunk self for the first time. Swimming is also new…..actually, i can’t swim! I can’t move in the water and kick my feet. This time i dived underwater and opened my eyes! It took some time to do that but once i mustered the courage it was quite fun (laugh). I really put in my best effort for this book.
Q: Your fashion shoot is also very charming in my opinion.Did you style yourself?
While i was doing the fitting, i discussed with staff and chose the best style for myself. I chose the most suitable clothes and lingerie. They are all cute and things i like.
Q: When we talk about Watanabe san, you have the “best hips” that anyone would envy. Pls tell us the secret to it.
Not only my hips. Usually i like to keep myself moisturized, so i apply body cream everyday after a bath. There’s no day that passes without the body cream. I even apply it on my bottom. It makes me happy.
Q: What diet efforts in order to maintain your style?
I can’t eat alot, and i haven’t experienced turning fat suddenly, and i’m picky about food…..I don’t eat vegetables and fruits so there’s lots i don’t eat. On the contrary, i love meat so i eat it as a main dish together with fish and rice. With dance and exercise i think it’s fine to eat that much? Rather than eating what i dislike, doing what i like and being happy reflects on my style.
I don’t do special things like going to the gym when it comes to exercise. The choreographies for AKB concerts and rehearsals are good enough as exercise. I do reference hip exercises on YouTube when it comes to maintaining my hips.
Q: How did you prepare for your photobook this time?
I lost too much weight thanks to the summer heat and my tough schedule. This time it’s important to show off a fuller feminine body line, so i ate more ice-cream and meals to increase my weight.
Q:Did you do anything to show off a more sexy side?
Since i’m 22, i wanted to show off a natural side, so i didn’t put in energy and the usual 100% smile infront of the camera, and just posed as myself.
Q: What’s your aim from now on?
My senior in AKB and agency Kojima san suddenly messaged me on LINE and said “Mayu chan, the agency showed me your photobook. It was great!” I was really happy to receive praises from Kojima san who has lots of female fans. As this book is aimed at the females, i got alot of confidence.
I hope that i’ve shown off a different kind of sexy different from the ones in gravure. My aim is to be well-liked by the females.
[From Oricon Interview]Kojima san previewed my photobook and sent me a LINE message. We don’t message each other that frequently, so i was shocked and thought i did something to anger her. She typed “Mayu chan i saw your photobook.It’s great!” with lots of emoticons. She’s usually not direct with compliments. I felt this was coming from her heart so i was really happy.
Q: Pls tell us the secret to realizing your dreams.
You can’t lose the spirit of challenging -that’s Dreams. I’ve faced walls after entering AKB, but i’m not giving up and not letting it crush me.Continuing is important.
Love Kojiharu’s message of support.
Oricon Interview (Excerpts)
Q: Were you ever against showing skin up till now?
I don’t like swimwear gravure, but since this is for my photobook, i want to show off a good piece of work so i wasn’t against it. Even if you say it’s a sexy cut, i don’t think of it simply as skin showing. I want to show off “sexy with taste” so i discussed with the cameraman and stylists, tried some shoots and improved from there. It’s something i can accept, like high class sexy.
Q: This time the theme for your photobook is also “Mayuyu’s human side”.
Many think of me as The Idol. I want to update their image of me so i wanted to show off something that says i’m no longer the Mayu of the past.
Q: What is your trigger for it?
After turning 20, my mindset changed. In my teenage years, i had to be perfect idol. But i can’t continue to be like that forever. I started thinking about bringing out the real me. Originally i planned to show off my real side in solo activities, but recently it’s also showing when i’m with AKB.
Q: Regarding your graduation…
I said it in my Sousenkyo speech. AKB is in a pinch. It’s difficult to lead the group and change the situation, but i’m like us to grow more conscious and improve. As someone who knows the group from the past, i’d like to teach the juniors so that the group will be loved by more fans.
Q: Previously, Kashiwagi Yuki mentioned that she’d like to graduate with you.
I have the same thoughts. Various members are leaving and if Yukirin leaves too, i’m worried if we can carry on…She’s more important than just a same generation member and irreplaceable. We’ve supported each other for 10 years. I can’t imagine her missing, and i’d hate it if either of us were to send the other off. If possible, i want to graduate with her.
Some previews to her photobook.
Purchase her photobook below:
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