Cover Girl of the Week Rio Teramoto Makes Gravure Comeback After 5 Years Showcasing Her Growth

Adult allure

——How was the shoot in Perth, Australia?

“It was amazing! I really love summer, and in Perth there are very few rainy days, and the sunny periods are very long. Even within summer, I was able to fully enjoy a climate that truly felt like the peak of summer.”

——You also visited Rottnest Island, about a two-hour ferry ride from Perth.

“It’s famous for having lots of quokkas. I only managed to spot two or three during my short stay, but one of them got really attached to me. I took photos together with it, and it even appears in my latest photo book (laughs).”

——Which cut is your favorite?

“It’s the shot where I’m wearing a short T-shirt and my chest is boldly visible. I think it expresses something between my past self and my present self. It still has traces of my youthful innocence, but also shows my current growth—maybe it’s an image where adult elegance and cuteness coexist.”

——Was there any particularly memorable shooting scene?

“It was the photos taken on the bed of the presidential suite at the five-star hotel ‘The Westin Perth.’ That scene brought out my more mature expression. I wore a sexy black and pink bikini, and even though it was the same room, the atmosphere was completely different between day and night. I think viewers will enjoy that contrast.”

——You also tried bold shots, including no-bra and nude-style photos, right?

“Yes! The T-shirt cut I mentioned earlier was shot without a bra. The nude-style shots are in the bath and in the black swimsuit scenes. I am wearing outfits, but in the black bikini shots my skin looks really glossy, and I think they have a very sensual finish.”

——How have you changed since you first started gravure modeling?

“My facial expression and body shape have definitely changed. My body has become much more adult-like, and even when I make the same expression as before, I feel my femininity has increased. In my teens I had more cute-style shots, but this time there are more shots that show sensuality.”

——Why do you think you’re able to express adult allure now?

“I think it’s because through my experiences as an actress, I’ve gained more ways to express myself. Coming back to gravure after five years was also a struggle, and I was worried about whether people would accept it. But the staff around me encouraged me, which made it possible. I also wanted to live up to fans’ expectations.”

——Was it difficult to maintain your former powerful body?

“I didn’t really consciously try to maintain it. If anything, I’m now aiming for a more feminine body, and I gained about 3 kg. I might actually be putting in more effort than before (laughs). I’m the type who eats a lot, but as I’ve gotten older it’s harder to gain weight so this time I consciously ate foods like rice cakes, sweet buns, and steamed buns that help me gain weight.”

Growth through experience

——We heard that Ms. Teramoto has a habit of searching for herself online. Do you still do that now?

“I do, personality-wise I can’t help it. Even for this comeback, I was curious about people’s reactions and looked it up, and I saw many comments like, ‘I’m glad she returned to gravure.’ I felt deeply moved—like, thank you for waiting for me.”

——That must be nice to hear. How are you thinking about balancing your future work?

“I’ve reached my 10th year in the entertainment industry, and I want to further refine the skills I’ve built up so far. I want to continue growing through both gravure and acting, based on both foundations. This gravure work was meant as a return to my roots, but I also truly felt how meaningful and enjoyable the work is, so I want to keep doing it going forward. As for acting, I want to keep challenging myself with roles I’ve never done before!”

——Your starring film “Tokyo Toheiko” has also been released since March 20, right?

“Yes. I’m currently 24, but I played a high school student in this film. Since it was a younger role than my actual age, I tried to keep a disciplined lifestyle and avoid alcohol to bring out a sense of freshness. The protagonist, Asuka, is a high school girl who doesn’t feel she belongs either at home or at school, but she has a strong core. There were parts of her personality that felt similar to me, so I could imagine how I would act if I were in high school, which helped me a lot in playing the role.”

——Do you like alcohol?

“When I turned 20, I thought it was fun and drank every day, but in the past few years I don’t drink at home at all anymore. I still drink when I go out, and I’m not weak to alcohol, but my relationship with it has changed. I can’t handle sweet drinks, so I like more bitter tea-based highballs.”

——What do you do on your days off?

“Sauna and golf. I also like staying at home and sometimes sleep all day, but recently I’ve become quite active. I started golf because of my father, mother, and brother, and my score is around 100. I’m currently trying to get my friends into golf too (laughs).”

——A final message, please.

“I’ve packed all of my growth into this! I hope you enjoy my latest photo book after five years.”

TERAMOTO Rio, 24
Born in Hiroshima Prefecture. Began her entertainment career in 2016. Appeared in the Netflix drama “Sanctuary” and NHK’s morning drama “Omusubi.” Her starring film “Tokyo Toheiko” has been released since March 20.

Recent best “MORNING ROUTINE”
Cafe morning

Starting this year, I changed my previously rather lazy lifestyle and began a morning routine for better health management and efficiency. On weekdays, I start my activities at 8 a.m. On weekends, I go for café mornings, picnics, or golf, and spend my free time editing content. My previous lifestyle was a bit unstructured, but using my mornings effectively has given my life a rhythm. I’m working hard every day to maintain a sense of discipline as a working adult!

From the April 10, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”