Former AKB48 member Minna Owada speaks for the first time about “the reality of being 25 years old.
In the November 29 issue of FRIDAY, she boldly shows off her first photogravure in about two years!
After her first gravure photo shoot in two years: ……
Minami Owada (25), who graduated from AKB48 in 2005 and has since been active in multiple fields as a model and TV personality, appeared in the November 29 issue of FRIDAY.
Here is a special interview in which she talks about her impressions of the magazine’s first photo shoot in two years, the “changes” that have occurred in her, and her feelings about her life as it is.
–Thank you very much for your hard work! How was today’s shoot?
We filmed in a suite with the beautiful ocean right in front of us. The weather was beautiful and we were able to shoot in a friendly atmosphere surrounded by nature, so I think it has a natural atmosphere as if it were a snapshot of my everyday life. It was fun to feel like I was on vacation!
–I was impressed by the way they seemed to enjoy chatting and laughing during the shoot and while doing their makeup.
The staff created such a good atmosphere that I think we spent about half the time talking and half the time filming (laughs).
(Laughs) — You wore six outfits this time.
You wore six outfits in this issue, do you have a favorite? “It’s hard to choose because they were all my favorite. …… In the cut shown in the magazine, I would have to say the white loungewear-style outfit. I love the bun and the side openings, it’s so mocking!”
The “Change” I Felt at 25
–It’s been almost two years since your last appearance on FRIDAY.
It’s been two years! It’s been so fast. ……. 2 About two years ago, I remember saying, “I want to be able to create a mature image and be sexy, rather than the smiling, bright teenage gravure! But now that I am 25 years old, I have come to think that it would be better to keep a girlish image without overdoing it, because that would be closer to the real me, and not the other way around.
–You have recently been showing your true self on your YouTube channel.
On YouTube, I take pictures of my everyday life, and I also take pictures of myself during photoshoots for photogravure and other events. …… I expose my whole self. Since many of the videos are of me in my everyday life, recently I have been trying to be mindful of the importance of spending each day carefully. There are days when I just can’t get into it, but it’s on those days that I pick up the camera and try to have a great day.
–You are active in a wide range of activities, including YouTube, modeling, and TV personality activities.
Of course I want to continue to do gravure! My gravure work is a very happy and unique time for me because professionals make me look my most “cute”. I will continue to do my best to keep doing the gravure work that I love!
Owada Nana
Born in Chiba Prefecture. She joined AKB48 in 2001 and is known by the nickname “Nana. After graduating in 2005, she has been active in gravure pages of various magazines, variety shows, and TV dramas. She was selected as one of the “100 Most Beautiful Faces in the World” in 2012, and will be showing a making-of movie of the photo shoot on her YouTube channel. For the latest information, please visit her X (@Nana_Owada728) and Instagram (@nanaowada_official).
To purchase the latest digital photo book, click here.
PHOTO： Akihito Saijo
