Yasuyo Saito Did a Cartwheel in Front of the Camera!

Before I knew it, my body moved on its own

—Congratulations on your 10th anniversary in show business this year.

“Thank you! Before I knew it, it’s already been 10 years. I started this path in 2015 as a member of an idol group called Ichigo Hime, holding a microphone without knowing anything and just desperately trying my best. I never thought a day would come when I’d get to appear in the Monthly Series, so I’m really happy I could leave the name ‘Kyoyo Saito’ behind.”

—How was this photoshoot?

“I was so nervous when I heard I’d be working with the famous photographer Andy Chao. I was constantly on edge and worried if I’d be okay. But when we actually met, he had such a gentle vibe and told me, ‘Let’s just have fun,’ and that instantly eased my nerves.”

—The shoot was in Hayama, Kanagawa, right?

“Hayama’s sea isn’t as bright blue as Okinawa’s, but it has this slightly dusky, beautiful color. I felt like that atmosphere really fit the world of the Monthly Series. The photobook has this unusual layout where it opens all the way, and my cartwheel shot is bam! right there. It’s super impactful, so please check it out!”

—You mentioned a cartwheel — you did gymnastics, right?

“I did artistic gymnastics starting in my first year of junior high. I went to a high school in Fukuoka as a special scholarship student for gymnastics, but after getting injured, I had to give up competing. But that injury actually led me into entertainment, so gymnastics is really my starting point. During the shoot, Andy said to me, ‘Move people. You’re the only one who can do it.’ That really hit me, and it flipped a switch in me like, this isn’t the time to be nervous, give it everything you’ve got!. And then I thought, it’s gotta be gymnastics for me, and during a scene by the water, I just spontaneously did a cartwheel (laughs). That was totally ad-lib — before I knew it, my body moved on its own, and the staff was like, ‘Wait, did you just flip!?’ They were so surprised.”

—Do you have a favorite shot from the shoot?

“I really like the photo where I’m looking away with the spray of the waves behind me, which was one of the preview cuts. The waves, the wind but my expression is calm. I think it’s one of those shots you could only capture in that one fleeting moment. I actually like photos where I’m not looking at the camera, because sometimes unexpected expressions come out of me in those moments.”

—You value what comes from within yourself — is there anything you keep in mind in your daily life for that?

“In terms of beauty, I try to maintain a body that can detox properly. I used to do unhealthy dieting, but now I make sure to eat well and, well, get it out properly too. Recently I’ve gotten into gut health, and I drink aloe vera juice every day. The thing with this juice is, if your gut is healthy it tastes good, but if it’s not, it tastes sour. I’ve been drinking it for about three and a half years, and finally just recently I’ve started to think, this is tasty!”

“I’m not the shy type around new people.”

“I love it! In high school, while doing gymnastics, I majored in culinary arts and even got my chef’s license. After graduating, I attended a patisserie school because I wanted to become a pastry chef. I genuinely love both making and eating food. When I realized food tastes even better with a good drink, I was blown away by pairings. Now I’m attending a wine school to get my sommelier certification. Any restaurant recommendations? It’s not a pairing place, but the stamina skewers at ‘Stamina Kushiyaki Nakagaki’ in Meguro were amazing!”

— You seem very cheerful and easygoing in person — quite a contrast.

“Thank you (laughs). People often tell me, ‘You seemed scary on social media.’ I sometimes wonder if I give off an unapproachable vibe. But in reality, I love chatting and I’m not shy at all. People say I have a gap between my appearance and personality, but if that makes me memorable, I see it as a lucky thing and take it positively!”

— Speaking of contrasts, does your usual style differ too?

“Yeah, I usually wear casual stuff like T-shirts and denim. I admire effortless but classy looks — model Jun Hasegawa is my style icon. I’d love to appear in fashion magazines someday. Not just gravure — I’d be happy if people thought, ‘Wow, she’s stylish too,’ in women’s magazines.”

— Any goals you’d like to tackle going forward?

“I want more people to know the name ‘Kyoyo Saito,’ and I hope to express who I am through magazines and TV. Recently, I’ve had more chances to appear on variety shows, and it’s been so much fun. This year is finally my last year in my 20s, scary! (laughs) But I’ve decided to go all out. I’m aiming to achieve solid results in gravure and be able to say proudly, ‘That was the year everything changed for me.’”

Yasuyo Saito, 29

Born in Tochigi Prefecture. She began her entertainment career in 2015 as the leader of the local idol group Ichigo Hime. In 2017, she gained widespread attention after being crowned Miss Earth Japan 2017. Now marking her 10th anniversary in the industry, she plans to actively pursue acting and expand her career moving forward.

My best recent hobby
Karaoke.

I’m the type who never lets go of the microphone at karaoke (laughs). My go-to song is Sayuri Ishikawa’s “Amagi-goe,” and I especially love belting out the part that goes, “Ama-gigoe!!” I even sang it as an encore at a live show during my idol days! I also chose Hiromi Ohta’s “Momen no Handkerchief” without hesitation for a cover project.

By the way, when it comes to listening, I’m more into K-POP. I’m a big fan of TWICE’s Tzuyu and even once copied her makeup style for a while.

From the May 30, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”