Model Minori Taira became an adult on Coming of Age Day on January 13th this year. She is 20 years old and is currently working as an exclusive model for the teen media Seventeen (Shueisha). Taira, who attended a special kimono interview event held by her management agency Avex Management Agency, vowed to make further progress.
Taira stands out with her striking features, short hair, and height of 171cm. "I've been taller than the other kids since kindergarten. I hated it until I was in elementary school, but after seeing models in fashion magazines, I started to think that being tall was a good thing, and it no longer bothered me."
She aspires to be a model herself, and was selected as the grand prize winner of Miss Seventeen in 2021, working as an exclusive model for Seventeen. "I consider my height to be my weapon!" she said with a smile.
Currently, she serves as a special tourism ambassador to promote her hometown of Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, and makes occasional appearances on the popular MBS/TBS variety show "Pre-Bato!!," making use of her talent for painting. In the watercolor painting segment, she was promoted to first-dan master at the age of 19, the youngest in the show's history, and also won first place in the colored pencil segment. "This year, I want to aim even higher on 'Pre-Bato!!'," she says enthusiastically, adding, "Drawing is more than a job; it's a way for me to relax. On my days off, I go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden with friends who also love art, and spend time sketching."
He is also active as an actor, and last year he appeared in three serial dramas: "Mars - Zero no Kakumei" (TV Asahi), "Ayaka-chan is in love with Hiroko-senpai" (MBS), and "My Dress-up Darling" (MBS). In his first film role, "Taiyo ga Salty" (directed by Nishikawa Tatsuro), he played the role of Hikosaka Kirara, a friend of the main character.
She said she wants to focus on acting, and added, "I'm taking part in rehearsals for plays. This year, I really want to be chosen as the main cast member of a drama." She looks up to her seniors in the same agency, Iitoyo Marie and Meru Nukumi. "I want to follow in the footsteps of these great seniors. I've worked with Ikumi once before, but I've never met Iitoyo, so I'd like to work hard so that we can act together."
Her goal is to master the "triple sword style" of modeling, acting, and art. "I want to continue working hard on these three axes, as I did last year, while also being conscious of beauty in order to maintain the 'beauty' in my name," she said of her aspirations.
