Ai Shinozaki Shares: “I Sometimes Visit a Ramen Shop Alone Late at Night on a Whim”
Ai Shinozaki made her return to gravure in the fall of 2009 after a four-year absence, and released a photo book titled "IDEA," which she says was "the best thing I could have done" in the past. We interviewed the legend, who is going strong, about everything from behind the scenes of her return to gravure to her personal life.
“I thought about many things while I was absent.”
――Shinozaki-san, you made your comeback to gravure in the fall of 2021 after a four-year break, and in February 2022, you released your photo book IDEA. Can you share your feelings at that time?
“It had been such a long time since I last did a shoot, so I remember being really nervous as I headed to the studio. But once the shoot started, I quickly regained the feeling and was able to shoot fairly smoothly.”
――Do you feel that gravure is your calling?
“Yes. After I released the photo book Kesshō in 2017, I had this sense of accomplishment and felt like I had done everything I could, so I went through a sort of burnout. I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, so I took a break. During that time, I thought about a lot of things, including retiring. But at the same time, I wondered if I could just end things like that. Then, when I checked my social media, I saw so many comments asking, ‘Aren’t you doing gravure anymore?’ and ‘I want to see you again.’ I was even getting offers for photo books, so I decided to give it another try. My comeback work, IDEA, has received a lot of praise, and I’m really grateful. I think it turned out to be the best photo book.”
――What made you think it was the best?
“Of course, the photos turned out great, but it was also the whole process of the production—everything from the structure and selections to choosing the cameraman and makeup artists. I was involved in every part of it, and I worked with the staff with the same passion. I think that’s what made it such a good finished product.”
――Which shot from the photo book is your favorite?
“There’s a T-back shot, and I don’t think I could have worn it if I hadn’t done body shaping. I’ve always been self-conscious about my butt, so I hadn’t shown it off much before. But at that time, I had worked hard to tone my body, so I was able to challenge myself. Some fans even said I looked too thin (laughs).”
――What exactly did body shaping involve?
“I was introduced to a diet program by an editor who’s knowledgeable about beauty, and I lost almost 10 kg.”
――What was the program like?
“It was a two-month program that included dietary changes, esthetic treatments, and two rounds of five-day fasting. The meals focused on fish, and for me, someone who loves meat, it was a menu I never thought I would follow (laughs). I also had small portions of rice and drank a lot of protein shakes. Plus, I had esthetic treatments to relax my body and help expel waste. Through the program, I aimed for a healthy body with softness, and I think I was able to express the new version of myself as an adult just before turning 30.”
――Are there any particular things you focus on to maintain your figure?
“Recently, I’ve been going to the gym. But during the photo book shoot, I really thought, ‘This is my last diet!’ and worked incredibly hard mentally, so I might never return to that exact figure again (laughs).”
