Reika Usui × Nana Suganuma: Popular Pro Golfers’ Shocking Idol Debut!
They switched their clubs to microphones and held a live performance!
The original song was “Datte Princess Nandamon.”
“Super cute, Reichelle! Super cute, Na-chan!!”
The excitement of around 500 fans in the audience reached its peak with the original song “Datte Princess Nandamon,” created for this day. The cheers of the crowd were not directed at popular idols… but at professional golfers Reika Usui (26) and Nana Suganuma (24). On February 1, they held their first live performance as the idol unit “Chell7” in Tokyo.
Usui, one of the golden generation golfers, won her first domestic women’s tour title last year. Suganuma, also a top pro with two tour victories, has been a standout player. The two, who were both in the same professional test group, had been planning the live performance since June of last year. They spent their off time practicing dance and working on original songs.
After the live performance, the two sat down for an interview.
Usui: “Today’s live performance gets 120 points! We even did three encore songs, and I was happy that everyone remembered the lyrics.”
Suganuma: “1500 points! (laughs) The audience was so excited, it turned into the best day ever.”
Usui revealed the behind-the-scenes of their dual role, saying, “I practiced singing in the car and learned the dance by watching videos in the bath,” while Suganuma joked, saying her training to live performance preparation ratio was “10-0. (I didn’t practice for the live performance) (laughs).”
The domestic tour for the new season is set to begin in early March, but both showed confidence.
Usui: “I’ll work hard to secure my second win, so please continue to support me in golf as well!”
Suganuma: “Last year was a tough season for me, but I’ve fixed my swing and it’s improving. People say a lot when you do other things besides golf, but we’re human, so we want to do the things we enjoy. If it made everyone happy, I’m really glad.”
This spring, they are sure to captivate their fans with their spectacular performances.
From the February 21-28, 2025, issue of “FRIDAY”
