Sho Hirano of Number_i Speaks on Leaked Photo, Dark Past Comment Stuns Fans

Sho Hirano speaks candidly on Instagram Live

Sho Hirano (29) of “Number_i” held a surprise Instagram Live stream on March 20 through his personal Instagram account. While enjoying conversations with viewers through comments, he made remarks about past leaked photos.

On this day, Hirano began a guerrilla-style Instagram Live from what appeared to be his home. While signing jackets for a fan club members-only single “3XL” (scheduled for release on April 27), he responded to comments from viewers.

During the stream, when the topic turned to his entertainment career history, Hirano said:
“You might have already vaguely noticed from those leaked things, but I actually used to be in a child model agency when I was little. If you count that as part of my career, then it’s really long. I’ve been doing this since around first or second grade.”

“There are a lot of those photos out there, right? The apron ones. You know them, right? I’m not hiding it, so it’s totally fine,” he said casually.

According to an entertainment writer:

“Hirano joined the former Johnny’s agency in 2012. He is from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, but he was placed in the Kansai Juniors division and trained there. Around that time, photos of Hirano from his child model days began circulating online, revealing that he had appeared in promotional materials for a cram school bus wrap advertisement and in various catalogs.

Images of a young Hirano smiling while wearing a Mizuno sports brand apron also became a topic of discussion.”

However, some fans who started supporting him after his time in “King & Prince” or “Number_i” may not have known about his early modeling days. Seeing comments during the livestream, Hirano himself reacted:
“Ah, this is bad. There are people hearing this for the first time. That’s embarrassing. I shouldn’t have said it,” appearing slightly shy.

Following Hirano’s candid comments, some fans shared previously circulated apron model and bus wrap photos on social media. Although the livestream was conducted in a relatively informal, private setting, reactions included:

“I didn’t expect Sho-kun himself to talk about the apron story.”
“Hearing about ‘Apron Sho-kun’ was so valuable.”
“So he even modeled for cram schools—he really has a 22-year career, he’s a veteran.”
“As a fan who didn’t know about the leaks, this was my first time hearing about it. I didn’t realize he had been working since he was so young.”

Handling fans’ delinquent (yankii) teasing with good humor

Sho Hirano has also used Instagram Live in the past to interact with fans, and while casually chatting during personal livestreams, there are moments where he touches on episodes he doesn’t usually talk about, (same entertainment writer as above) says.

For example, during an Instagram Live on November 25, 2025, he directly addressed rumors about his so-called “yankii” (delinquent) past.

“When a fan commented, ‘I know you were a delinquent, so it’s fine,’ Hirano responded, ‘Shut up! I’m not a delinquent!’ denying it, but also added, ‘Even if I say I’m not a delinquent, it doesn’t really work. Middle school photos are already out there,’” he reportedly said.

In fact, a photo from his middle school graduation ceremony—where he is seen wearing a flashy purple outfit resembling a modified delinquent-style uniform in a group photo—had previously been leaked online. Hirano himself was likely aware that the image had already spread on the internet, according to the report.

Rather than trying to hide the so-called black history leak, Hirano openly discussed it during the livestream. This kind of unpretentious personality is said to be one of the reasons he is so loved by fans.