Sumire Yokono: “I eat rice every day to keep my bust size down.

My dream is to one day star in a leading role!”

–In addition to your gravure activities, last year was also a year of great success for you as an actress.

I had my first regular roles in “Batsukoi” (BS TV Tokyo) and the short drama “Seisai no Scenario” (BUMP), and I played a “bad girl” in both. When I read the original story, I was annoyed by my role (laugh), but I was able to get into the role surprisingly easily, probably because I have the sense of humor that I have developed as an idol. There is a scene in “Seisai’s Scenario” in which she goes berserk with her emotions, and I received many compliments on the scene for my performance, and I also received a lot of feedback from the viewers. I hope to master the “bad girl” role.

–How did you prepare for the role?

I study acting in workshops and watch other actresses’ performances. When I was given the role of a hostess, I studied “Dear Sister” (Fuji TV) in which Satomi Ishihara (38) played a cabaret girl. I felt that it was similar to the feeling I get when I get close to fans at handshake events, so I think my experience as an idol may have been put to good use as well.

–What do you want to challenge this year and what are your plans for the future?

I would like to open a YouTube channel, which has been a longtime goal of mine. Thankfully, I was busy with acting last year, so I hope to make it happen this year. In my main job as a gravure photographer, I would like to continue to be on the cover of the magazine. I would also like to work hard as an actress!　Right now, I think that many of my fans from my idol days and people who know me from my gravure pictures are interested in me, but I would be happy if more people become interested in “Sumire Yokono,” the actress, after seeing my video and stage appearances. My dream is to one day star in a leading role!

Sumire YOKONO, age 24
Born in Osaka in 2000. She joined “NMB48” in 2006 as a 6th term student and graduated from the group in 2009. In ’19, she made her solo gravure debut in “ENTAME” and attracted a great deal of attention. Her photo books “Your Side” and “No One” are now on sale.

My best recent work “Training
Walking in the morning.

I go out for a walk as soon as I wake up. I drink a cup of black coffee, put on a down jacket over my pajamas, and head out immediately! I spend 30 minutes walking my usual route around the neighborhood at a brisk pace. This helps to remove the swelling from my face and suppresses my appetite, so I don’t eat as much. It is also effective the day after eating sweets, which I refrain from. I would recommend it to anyone who is dieting!

From the February 21-28, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY