This week’s cover girl] Rio Teramoto: Gravure revival after 5 years “I packed everything I’ve grown up to be!

Mature and sexy

–How was the shoot in Perth, Australia?

It was great!　I love summer very much, and Perth has very few rainy days and a lot of sunny hours. I was able to enjoy the iconic “midsummer” weather.

–I heard that you also visited Rottnest Island, which is about a two-hour ferry ride from Perth.

Rottnest Island is famous for its abundance of quokka wallabies. I only had time to see a couple of them, but one of them was very friendly. I took a picture with him and he is in my latest photo book (laughs).

–What is your favorite shot?

A. “The shot in which I cut my T-shirt short and showed my breasts in a bold way. I think I was able to express a middle ground between my present self and my past self. I think it is a shot that retains the innocence of the past, but also shows the grown-up version of me.

–Is there a scene in the filming that left a deep impression on you?

There is a scene in the photo taken in the bed of the presidential suite of the 5-star hotel “The Westin Perth”. It was one scene that brought out the matured look I have now. I wore a sexy black and pink bikini, and even though it was in the same room, I was able to express a completely different atmosphere from day to night. I think everyone will enjoy the gap between the two.

–I heard that you challenged yourself with daring no-bra shots and nude shots.

Yes, I did!　The T-shirt shot I mentioned earlier was done without a bra. The nudie shots are in the bath and in the black swimsuit scene. She is wearing a costume, but in the black bikini, her skin is glistening, and I think it gives the scene a glossy finish.

–What changes have you seen since you started gravure?

What changes have you seen since you started gravure? I think my body has become very mature, and even though I have the same facial expression as I did then, I feel that I am more attractive as a woman.

–How did you come to be able to show a more mature and sexy side?

I think my repertoire for expressing myself has increased as I have experienced various things as an actor. I was conflicted about returning to gravure for the first time in five years, and I was very anxious about whether people would accept me. But the staff around me encouraged me and made it possible. I wanted to meet the expectations of my fans.

–Did you have any difficulties in maintaining your once “powerful body”?

I wasn’t particularly conscious of it. On the contrary, I am now aiming for a more feminine body and have gained about 3 kg. I may be working harder than I was then (laughs). I’m the type of person who eats a lot, but as I get older, it’s harder to gain weight. …… This time, I consciously ate rice cakes, sweet buns, and steamed buns, which tend to make me fat.”

Experience and Growth

–I heard that you have a habit of doing ego searches on a regular basis. Do you still do it?

It is in my nature to do so. When I returned to gravure this time, I was curious about people’s reactions, and I saw many people saying, “I’m glad you’re back in gravure. I was deeply moved, saying, “Thank you for waiting for me.

–That makes me happy. How do you plan to balance your work in the future?

As I celebrate my 10th anniversary in show business, I would like to brush up on the skills I have cultivated over the course of my career. I would like to show my growth in both gravure and acting based on the foundation of both. This time, I took part in gravure with the intention of returning to my roots, but I also realized how much I appreciate and enjoy the work, and I would like to continue to do so in the future. In acting, I want to take on more and more roles that I have never played before!

–You also star in the movie “Tokyo Escape,” which opens in theaters on March 20.

I am 24 years old now, and I played a high school student in this movie. I played a role that was younger than my actual age, so in order to bring out the freshness of the role, I tried to avoid drinking alcohol and lead a regular life. The main character, Asuka, is a high school girl who has no place at home or at school, but has a strong core. I felt that I could easily understand how she would behave if she were a high school student, and that helped me in my performance.

–Do you like to drink?

When I turned 20, I thought it was fun to drink every day!　But in the last few years, I don’t drink at home at all. I drink when I go out, and I am not weak, but the way I face it has changed. I can’t drink anything sweet, so I prefer a strong tea high.

–What do you do in your free time?

Sauna and golf. I also like to stay at home, so sometimes I sleep all day, but lately I have been very active. I started playing golf under the influence of my father, mother, and older brother, and my score is around 100. I am in the process of getting my friends into golf now (laughs).”

–Lastly, please give us a message.

This time, I put everything I have grown up to be!　I hope you enjoy this latest photo book, my first in five years.

Rio Teramoto, age 24.
Born in Hiroshima Prefecture. She started her career in 2004 and appeared in the Netflix drama “Sanctuary” and the NHK TV series “Omusubi.” The movie “Tokyo Escape” in which she plays the lead role opened on March 20.

My Best Recent “MORNING ROUTINE
Cafe Morning

This year, I changed my lazy lifestyle and started “morning activities” to improve my physical condition and efficiency. On weekdays, I start my activities at 8:00 a.m. On weekends and holidays, I go to café mornings, picnics, and golf, and use my free time to edit content. My former life was a bit full of activities, but by making effective use of my morning hours, I have found a rhythm in my life. I am struggling every day to maintain a sense of being a member of society!

From the April 10, 2026 issue of FRIDAY