Even today's most popular stars and artists have their own "firsts," such as their first appearance, first event, or first live performance. "My Firsts" asks them to look back on those thrilling moments that only the inexperienced can experience. In this episode, Noro Kayo, who voices the liquid computer Woooooo, a guide at "Communiverse," where representatives of the stars gather, in the Japanese version of Disney & Pixar's new animated film, "Elio," talks about what happened on the day she first appeared in a theater performance with AKB48, and how she met Yasushi Akimoto.
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I joined AKB48 when I was 22 years old, and my first job was performing in a theater.
On the first day, after the performance, the band members said "thank you" to everyone as they left, but I was at the very back of the line, and the last person to come out gave me a pretty harsh scolding, saying "what are you doing?"
I thought it was pretty amazing to get it on the first day (laughs), and I was a little confused as to why he said that, but he said, "Everyone was doing it with a pretty good attitude."
I think that this person must have seen a lot of female idols and felt that I was a bit unique.
Until then, I had only seen idols like Morning Musume on TV, so I wondered if this was what it meant to be an "idol you can go and see."
It was during my first job that I realized this is what Akihabara's idol culture is like.
It was such a shock that I was actually rather impressed. It was a bit funny. I had some experience in the working world before joining AKB48, so I thought, "I guess this is the world we live in." I was surprisingly pampered at my previous workplace (laughs), but I realized that it's completely different once you become an idol.
Speaking of fateful encounters, it would have to be my encounter with Yasushi Akimoto and AKB48. It is the foundation of who I am today.
There are many things I realize now that I lacked during my time in AKB48. I should have realized it then, but I'm the type of person who only realizes it after receiving love (laughs), so I realized it after making various mistakes. So I think AKB48 was basically a turning point for me.
Right now, the thing that relaxes me the most is spending time with my dogs. I have two dogs at home, and before I go to sleep, I hold them in my arms on my bed like a cushion, and that's when I feel incredibly relaxed.
When it comes to health and beauty, I've recently been going back to basics and trying to live a vegetarian lifestyle. I'm trying to make a conscious effort to eat vegetables before eating rice.
I don't have high expectations for 10 years from now. I just hope I can continue to enjoy my work as it is.
I hope I'm healthy and not overweight (laughs). I'm in my 50s now, so if I gain weight, it'll be a problem. I think I'll end up with a saggy complexion. I'd like to maintain my current condition, or rather, maintain my firm skin, and if possible, I'd like to be a little thinner (laughs).
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Noro Kayo Born October 28, 1983 in Tokyo. In 2006, she passed the second wave of AKB48 additional member auditions and became a member of Team K. In 2009, she also began working as captain of SDN48. She graduated from AKB48 in 2010 and SDN48 in 2012. She has since appeared in a number of variety shows, dramas, films, and stage productions as a talent and actor. After auditioning in the US, she landed the role of voice actress in Disney & Pixar's new film, "Elio."
The story of "Elio" centers around Elio, a boy who yearns for a "true home" somewhere in the vast world. Elio is invited to the "Communiverse," where representatives of the stars gather, and meets Grodon, a lonely alien boy. The two share a bond, but a threat that threatens to shake the "world of the stars" approaches...
