Yuriyan Retriever Takes on ‘Dual Career’ as Comedian and Actor, Becoming the Shohei Ohtani of Entertainment

Yuriyan Retriever, who is set to move her base of operations to Los Angeles, USA, shared her dreams and ambitions in her book Jibun BIG LOVE! Yuriyan Body Building Book (Shueisha), which was released before her departure in December. In the book, she boldly declares:

“My dream is to become a Hollywood superstar. I also want to win an Academy Award as a film director. And I want to marry the person I love and build the best family. I will make all of this come true, so please support me.”

Yuriyan, who graduated first in her class from Osaka’s NSC in 2013, made a name for herself by winning the “Onna Geinin NO.1 Ketteisen THE W” in 2017 and the “R-1 Grand Prix 2021”, proving herself as a talented comedian

Surprise appearance at Coachella Festival 2024

Yuriyan Retriever has always spoken her dreams into existence, turning them into reality. While some may mock her, it’s her ability to follow through with what she says that truly defines her.

In May of this year, Yuriyan made an appearance at the press conference for the establishment of the K2P Film Fund I in Cannes, France, where it was revealed that she would be debuting as a film director. During the conference, it was noted that several years ago, she had expressed her desire to become a director on a television program. The project’s producer, Daisuke Takahashi, had watched that broadcast and was intrigued by her passion. Yuriyan has always been vocal about her ambitions, refusing to let the idea of impossibility hold her back. Her method is to openly declare what she wants and pursue it—this is her way of doing things.

In 2015, as part of a segment for the show Sekai no Dokoka ni Houchi Min (TBS), she spent three months in New York, where she showcased her fluency in English. In 2019, she also appeared on the American audition show America’s Got Talent. Furthermore, in April of this year, she made a surprise appearance at the Coachella Festival 2024, one of the world’s largest music festivals, marking another step in her preparation for her U.S. debut.

One of Yuriyan’s most notable achievements came when she played the lead role of Dump Matsumoto in the Netflix original drama The Queen of Villains.

“After successfully losing 40 kilograms and achieving a healthy body, she learned about the audition for this project. Believing that this role could be her breakthrough to global success, Yuriyan secured the role of Dump Matsumoto. Over the course of two years, she gained back the 40 kilograms through a diet and training regimen based on the latest nutritional science. She worked out daily at home, strengthening her core, back, and chest muscles—key to lifting people—and also focused on building her shoulder and thigh muscles to achieve Dump Matsumoto’s physique,” said a director from the production company.

Yuriyan endured months where her weight didn’t increase, even eating yakiniku (grilled meat) alone in the afternoons, making tireless efforts to reach her goal. However, after this intense body transformation, a challenge far beyond physical changes awaited her.

Dump Matsumoto’s life is lived out.

“The highlight of this drama is the moment when the kind-hearted, underdog wrestler, Matsumoto Kaori, awakens as the most evil heel in history. To capture that moment, the filming was done in almost a sequential order. Over the course of four to five months, the process of Matsumoto losing her place both in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling and within her family was carefully depicted, and the moment of Dump Matsumoto’s birth was brilliantly portrayed. Yuriyan fully lived the life of Dump Matsumoto. The scene of Dump’s birth was also the moment of Yuriyan Retoryba’s birth as an actor.” (Director, as previously mentioned)

In fact, Yuriyan had previously showcased exaggerated performances on variety shows, but she had never crossed the boundary until now.

“However, in this work, Director Kazuya Shiraishi encouraged the cast with the words, ‘Let’s burn our lives.’ From that point on, everyone on set began to live their roles seriously, and as they did, they were able to shed their fears and embarrassment, pushing their emotions to the limit. Yuriyan herself confessed that breaking through the shell she had never been able to break before was something irreplaceable. Director Shiraishi himself also stated, ‘The work I want to see before I die is this ‘The Queen of Villains.’ After watching the completed work, he felt a definite sense of accomplishment.” (Producer, as previously mentioned)

Yuriyan Retoryba is now crossing the sea with “The Queen of Villains” as her business card. With a dual career as a performer and creator, is she aiming to become the second Shohei Ohtani who will shake the world?