Neru Nagahama, a former member of the idol group "Keyakizaka46 (now renamed Sakurazaka46)," is currently active as an actor and news program commentator. This year marks the 10th anniversary of her debut, and she released her second photo book, "Neru Nagahama" (Kodansha), on July 15th. We asked Nagahama about her thoughts on the 10th anniversary of her debut, and her relationship with the former members of Keyakizaka46 who shared her joys and sorrows.
The photobook, which was named after her, shows her "true face" and was shot in Iceland and Finland, her "favorite countries" that she has visited privately. Set in the majestic locations of Northern Europe, the book includes fantastic shots taken in the deep forests.
Nagahama, who spent her childhood on the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, looked back on the shoot with enjoyment, saying, "I grew up in a place rich in nature, so the staff were worried about me, but I'm not afraid of bugs. During this shoot, I felt like I was rediscovering my childhood self...(laughs). When I was little, I was a 'wild child' who would follow my brother around and play in the mountains, so it was a nostalgic feeling."
With a smile on her face, she said, "Maybe it's a testament to our activities up until now? I was really happy when the decision was made to release it," as she decided to release it on the 10th anniversary of her debut. She also reflected on the past 10 years, saying, "I had a very intense time as a group member, and it went by in a flash."
She auditioned for the first generation of Keyakizaka46 and made her debut in 2015, but up until then, she said, "I had no desire to enter the entertainment industry at all." "I liked Yakult, so in my graduation yearbook I wrote that I wanted to work at a Yakult factory, and at the time I auditioned, my dream was to be an airport ground staff member. I auditioned because I liked Nogizaka46 and wanted to see a new world, but I think my family and friends were surprised (laughs). I never dreamed that 10 years later I'd be doing the kind of work I'm doing now."
After graduating from being an idol, she set out on the path of acting. She has appeared in numerous dramas, including the NHK Asadora drama "Maiagare!" which will air in the second half of 2022. "I want to work hard in acting, so I'm still continuing my entertainment career," she said. She said that director Okita Shuichi's 2013 film "Yokomichi Senosuke" is her "favorite Japanese film," and her goal is to appear in one of Okita's films. "No matter which set I go to, I still find acting difficult. I feel like I'm spending each day desperately clinging on to everyone."
Among them, she is inspired by the former members of Keyakizaka46, with whom she worked together. "When I see everyone working hard, I'm inspired to try my best too, and if there are kids in trouble, I want to help them," she says with a smile.
Their friendship continues, and he revealed, "I went out to eat with Watanabe Risa the other day. Everyone is pretty busy so we only see each other a few times a year, but we keep in touch."
They are comrades who ran through the group together through many trials. When asked about their relationship, "Are we comrades?", he smiled and said, "We're not comrades, we're friends now." "We're like best friends (laughs). We have things in common to talk about, we know staff and each other, and we're precious friends who've been through the same circumstances. I wonder if it's because of that time that we've been able to build a trustworthy friendship," he said with a bright expression.
