Kikuchi Momoko’s 40-Year Showbiz: Reflecting on Her Idol Era Image Collection Since 1988

From the peak of her popularity as an idol to suddenly becoming the vocalist of the seven-member rock band RA MU just before turning 20, Kikuchi explained the reason for this transition at a solo press conference held at the Akasaka Prince Hotel. And on March 9, 1988, she held her first live performance at a live house at the Yokohama Bayside Club.

Kikuchi wore a vibrant blue jacket with large shoulder pads, silver tights, and an ultra-mini skirt. It was a transformation that made her look like a completely different person from her days as an innocent idol with a clean-cut flare skirt.

“Unlike idol songs, with the unique rhythm of black music, she sang while dancing intensely and swinging on stage, even showcasing unfamiliar shouts, which got the audience very excited.” (At that time’s audience)

However, RA MU disbanded after just a year and a half. Afterwards, Kikuchi focused on her acting career. Reflecting on those days in an interview with ‘Sports Hochi’ (distributed on May 5th), she said,

“I was happy with the positive challenge of aiming for a higher level.”

“Maybe some people who preferred the image of an idol didn’t like it, but I became more creatively ambitious, and for me, it was a positive time.”

Since 2012, she has been serving as a visiting professor at Toita Women’s Junior College, her alma mater, where she teaches career education lectures. Additionally, she has been appointed as an inspector for the Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, demonstrating her dedication to educational activities. However, it is said that she plans to focus on her music activities for this year.

We look forward to the future activities of the musician Kikuchi Momoko.