Ryoko Hirosue’s Return to Singing Reveals Her Acting Evaluation

The reason why she started her singing career in earnest.

In June 2023, Ryoko Hirosue (44) was reported to be involved in a double affair with famous chef Shusaku Toba (46), leading to an indefinite suspension from her agency. She independently left the agency in February of the following year. Recently, she appeared on a YouTube show called “Short Hope,” where she spoke about living life as the theme.

The video, which was released in five parts from the end of last year until the 11th of this month, featured Hirosue being asked by the interviewer about the double affair scandal. She tearfully responded, “I don’t think I should say, ‘It was for the best’ and just brush it off.”

She continued, wiping away tears, “While it’s important to give my best, I think it’s okay to remove parts of myself that were too forced,” and then smiled, saying, “I want to try living a life that isn’t my ideal image as an actress.”

Before her independence, Hirosue was a leading actress in the industry, but after becoming independent, she has been on hiatus from acting. However, due to her divorce in July 2023, caused by the affair, she must earn money for her three children, for whom she has custody. In December of last year, she held a live concert in Tokyo for the first time in 25 years. It was also announced that she will perform at the “Megaport Festival” in Taiwan on March 29 and 30.

“‘Singer Ryoko Hirosue’ had hits with her debut song ‘Maji de Koi Suru 5 Byou Mae’ (1997) and ‘Daisuki!’ (same year). She was also popular in Asia. She paused her music activities in 2002 to focus on acting, but now, it seems that restarting her music career might be one of the only viable ways for her to generate income through entertainment” (according to a music industry insider).

Not a few actors have returned to work after an adultery scandal.

In October of last year, when Ryoko Hirosue appeared on former broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki’s (52) TOKYO FM radio show “JUMP UP MELODIES,” she revealed that after turning 30, she had always wanted to hold live performances, but due to the policies of her former agency, it was not possible at the time.

“Now, her former agency is home to many popular actresses like Erika Toda (36), Kasumi Arimura (31), Honoka Matsumoto (27), and Minami Tanaka (38) and Riho Yoshioka (32). However, when the agency was first founded, Hirosue was one of the only prominent talents, and her contribution was invaluable. Over time, however, tensions seemed to build between her and the agency’s president. Amid this, the double affair scandal occurred, leading to her suspension, which may have driven her to impulsively choose to become independent” (according to a film industry insider).

However, after becoming independent, she has not been offered roles as an actress. Despite many actors having successfully returned to their careers after overcoming scandals, this has not been the case for Hirosue. Why is this so?

“For example, Masahiro Higashide (36) was reported to have an affair in January 2020, and although he has not yet appeared in any terrestrial dramas, offers for stage and film work have not stopped. It seems that directors he worked with during his early years have stepped in to offer him roles. Of course, his talent played a big part in this, and Higashide himself is known to accept even the smallest roles.

It was said that Hirosue ‘wouldn’t have trouble finding work if she wasn’t picky about appearing on terrestrial television,’ but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Perhaps it was her agency’s strong backing that enabled her to secure major projects in the past. Or maybe she’s turning down jobs that offer lower pay. In recent years, Hirosue had been praised for her supporting roles.” (same source).

For now, it seems that Hirosue has chosen the path of pursuing her music career, something she couldn’t do while with her former agency, and is determined to “go as far as she can” in this new direction.

 

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