Pop Star LEO and Degawa Girls Model in Semi-Living Together Relationship
LEO Receives a Reporter’s Business Card and Listens AttentivelyAround 1 Million Instagram Followers! The Identity of His Partner
Since debuting in 2021, boy group BE:FIRST has been unstoppable. The group won the Outstanding Work Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards the following year, and this year, they were announced for their fourth consecutive appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Among the six members, the leader-like figure LEO (27) has now been revealed to be in a serious relationship.
Around 6 a.m. in early December, model Mayu Yokota (26) emerged from a stylish apartment in one of Tokyo’s prime districts. Wearing a red cap and gray hoodie, she appeared slightly sleepy.
Yokota is also known as a member of the “Degawa Girls” on Sekai no Hatte made Itte Q! (Nippon TV) and currently stars in the drama Oshi no Satsujin (Yomiuri TV) as one of three leads. With around 1 million Instagram followers, she enjoys strong popularity, especially among younger audiences. On this day, she was heading to her regular appearance on Ravit!(TBS). She got into a waiting car at the building entrance and drove off to the studio.
Fifteen minutes later, LEO appeared from another entrance of the same apartment complex. He entered a waiting car and immediately departed, heading to the same Ravit! set where Yokota was.
The following week at the same time, the pair was observed again. Once more, Yokota emerged from the apartment first, followed by LEO 15 minutes later. That day, he wore casual attire: gray hoodie and sweatpants with a black jacket, scanning the surroundings as he got into the car.
LEO had performed a stunning act the previous night at the FNS Music Festival (Fuji TV) and is scheduled to appear in numerous music programs toward year-end, including the 67th Japan Record Awards and NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. He also maintains a steady presence on variety shows such as Ravit!.
Despite their busy schedules, the two were seen for two consecutive weeks leaving the same apartment complex through different entrances, 15 minutes apart, getting into waiting cars, and heading together to the same studio.
They Were Not Co-Stars on Ravit!
In September 2023, LEO made his first guest appearance on Ravit! and has since appeared frequently enough to be considered a quasi-regular. On the program, footage aired showing all the Thursday members, including Yokota, attending BE:FIRST’s Tokyo Dome concert in January. LEO’s affectionate use of “Mayu-chan” to refer to Yokota also sparked a minor buzz on social media.
One might assume their relationship began on the show—but that’s not the case.
“They met through an introduction by mutual acquaintances and their relationship developed from there. They have been together for over a year. Each rents a separate apartment in the same building, living in a semi-cohabitation arrangement. LEO is completely smitten and had even mentioned to people that he had someone he liked before they officially started dating. He is reportedly considering marriage, so we might hear some good news soon,” said a male acquaintance of LEO.
To confirm the relationship, the publication contacted LEO’s agency. They responded:
“We leave private matters to the individual.”
Yokota’s agency gave a similar reply:
“Regarding private matters, we leave it to the individual.”
Clearly, LEO is head over heels for her. Drawing strength from each other, they are likely to continue showing impressive achievements in the future.
The FRIDAY January 2/9/16 combined issue and the paid edition FRIDAY GOLD, released on December 19, feature detailed coverage, including LEO’s direct comments and intimate photos.
For more details and multiple photos, see here ↓
PHOTO： Keisuke Nishi, Sota Shima