Huwa-chan’s TV Comeback in Doubt Why Terrestrial TV is Out

Even at major agencies, there’s nothing to do but wait for offers.

When a celebrity causes a scandal, it is common for them to suspend their entertainment activities as a form of penalty or purification. They step down from television, radio, and commercials, disappearing from the public eye.

After some time passes and the situation cools down, they may resume their activities, but returning to mainstream television is a high hurdle. Many celebrities, like Ken Watabe (52) of “Unjash” and Hiroyuki Miyasako (54) from “Rain or Shine” who formerly had “Kesshitei,” struggle to make a comeback despite their desire to return.

This year, scandals involving celebrities such as KAT-TUN’s Yuichi Nakamaru (41) with his apartment affair allegations, “Jungle Pocket” Shinji Saito (42) with his sexual assault allegations, and Huwa-chan’s inappropriate post are still fresh in memory.

After Saito was indicted for sexual assault allegations, a matter most viewers detest, he was dropped by Yoshimoto Kogyo. There were also rumors of a debt issue, making his return to television nearly impossible.

Nakamaru, who had previously been well-liked, faced a severe image decline after his recent allegations, and his return to television is also challenging.

The pressure allegedly exerted by the former Johnny’s office in 2019 to not cast former SMAP members on television led to a warning from the Fair Trade Commission, weakening the influence of major agencies and making their return even more difficult.

“Unlike in the past, agencies can no longer forcefully push celebrities onto programs. With strict compliance these days, it’s difficult to actively promote celebrities who have caused scandals. They are left with no choice but to wait for offers,” said a senior official from a major entertainment agency.

As a result, new and talented rookies are emerging one after another, accelerating generational shifts.

“There are always replacements, so no program will try to take risks by hiring scandal-plagued talents,” said a producer at a key station.

Even idols who were once incredibly popular find it difficult to return to television after causing a scandal.

 

Someday, a problem might happen

How about Huwa-chan’s comeback? Let’s quickly review her controversy.

In August this year, Yasuko (26) posted on X:

“Yasuko Olympics, just living is great, so everyone is a champion!”

She posted on X, and in response, Huwa-chan.

“You’re not great, so please die, you’re out in the preliminaries!”

She reposted it.

The sponsors were also shocked by the stunning truth.

The post was immediately deleted, but screenshots spread widely. Criticism poured in, and Huwa-chan was forced to step down from her regular radio and TV programs, with her commercials being canceled as well.

Afterward, she apologized on social media, and Yasuko forgave her, but the storm of criticism did not subside, and Huwa-chan entered an indefinite hiatus from her entertainment activities.

Four months later, it was reported that the shows Huwa-chan regularly appeared on, “Gyoretsu no Dekiru Soudansho” (NTV) and “Wide na Show” (Fuji TV), would be canceled in March of the following year.

Huwa-chan has no place to return to. The aforementioned producer from a major network said that, “To put it simply, there is no chance” of her returning to the entertainment industry.

“In Huwa-chan’s case, to be honest, we were all nervous every time. Her innocence, purity, and being unconventional are her good points, but we were always worried that an accident might happen. It was a relief this trouble didn’t happen during a broadcast. If it did, the show could’ve disappeared”

In fact, Huwa-chan’s behavior had resulted in complaints from older viewers to the network. However, this time, the irrefutable evidence in the form of the screenshots spreading proved fatal.

Another producer from a major network added, 

“Through this incident, we’ve learned that Huwa-chan has more latent anti-fans than we thought. This fact has surprised the sponsors. Some senior talents who co-starred with her didn’t express it verbally, but it was clear they were ‘NG’ with her. It’s hard to imagine that a big-name celebrity would extend a helping hand now.”

Since the latent anti-fans have spoken up, it will be difficult for her to return to the public stage. She may have come to realize that the world of the internet and social media, which was her original field, suits her better.