New Generation of Gravure Stars [This Week’s Cover Girl] Reina Kato: “I can only be active in show business now.

Focusing on her entertainment career

–Celebrating her first appearance in FRIDAY!　How did you feel when you got the offer?

I was really surprised!　FRIDAY gravure has a strong image of adult women, so I thought, “No way, I’m the one! After that, I was gradually filled with joy.

–How was the shooting in Odawara (Kanagawa)?

It was a very cold day. It was very cold and windy near the sea, so the moment the wind stopped, I thought, ‘Now is the time! I shot it all at once as soon as the wind stopped (laughs). (Laughs) But the atmosphere on the set was so bright and fun that I forgot about the cold!

–The atmosphere of the costumes was also different from usual, wasn’t it?

I used to shoot in cute pastel-colored swimsuits, but this time I tried a more subdued outfit. I was particularly impressed with the brown checkered swimsuit. It was a calm swimsuit that I don’t usually wear, so at first I wondered if it would look good on me. But when it came time to take the pictures, I felt like I came out looking like an adult!

–Before you started gravure, you wanted to become a nurse.

Yes, I did. I went to nursing school to study. I can’t say it myself, but my test scores were good (laughs). However, it was difficult to balance my performing arts activities, and I felt a sense of crisis that if I continued like this, I would end up halfway through both, so I quit in the spring of this year. You can get a certification at any age, but you can only do performing arts now.

–In fact, you were also involved in entertainment when you were a teenager, weren’t you?

I had a yearning to be a magazine model or actress, and from the time I was in the fifth grade of elementary school, I started taking lessons and auditioning for movies and TV dramas. I was also active as an idol in high school, but I decided to call it quits and attend nursing school when I graduated.”

–Did your family oppose your decision to quit nursing school?

When I first told my mother, she was really surprised. She was like, ‘Why all of a sudden? She didn’t listen to me at all. She was very worried that I was really quitting after all the hard work I had put into my studies. She was really worried about me. From my mother’s point of view, I think she wanted me to get a stable job after obtaining a certification. From there, I continued to express my enthusiasm for performing for days on end, and finally she agreed, saying, ‘If you insist so much, then follow the path you want to take.

–What was your father’s reaction?

He was surprised. When he found out that I was going to start gravure, he asked me, ‘Are you sure you are okay?　He said, ‘Be careful not to get caught by dangerous adults.

–Is it okay for you to be in FRIDAY?

(Laughs.) –Are you okay with being in FRIDAY?　They buy all the magazines I’ve been on the cover of, and they’re handing them out to their relatives.

–Do you ever feel homesick after moving to Tokyo from your hometown in Aichi?

I was homesick all the time when I first came to Tokyo, and until recently I used to call my family every day, but I’m fine now.

I love idols.

–Have you gotten used to doing gravure shoots?

I’m finally getting used to it. I was so nervous and embarrassed that my face turned bright red during my first photo shoot. I didn’t know what kind of poses to do, and I was so flustered. However, as we went through the shoots more and more, I gradually understood the flow of the shoot and began to enjoy posing. By the way, they played my favorite idol’s song as background music during the shoot!　I was able to shoot with a smile on my face the whole time.”

–So you like idols.

I love idols. On my days off, I often spend time watching live idol videos. Recently, I’ve been into the song “Search for Diamond Lily” by “=LOVE. I like listening to the music, but I simply love watching cute girls (laughs).

–What do you enjoy doing on your days off besides playing with your idols?

Sauna, I guess. I went there yesterday. My mother used to love hot springs and saunas, and when I was at home, I used to go to the hot springs every week. Because of her influence, I got into them too, and now I go there by myself.

–Who is your target in the entertainment industry?

What is your target person in the entertainment industry? Ever since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the dramas in which she appeared. I especially like “Unnatural,” which was broadcast on TBS. I was attracted by Ms. Ishihara’s performance as the main character, an anatomist, and even I cried …… during the serious scenes. I felt that actresses are amazing.”

–Lastly, what are your ambitions?

I would like to try my hand at various genres of work. I would like to try my hand at idol work again if I have the chance!　In gravure, I want to be on many magazine covers. I will do my best to be known as “Katorena,” the queen of gravure!

Rena Katou, age 20
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 2006. She made her gravure debut in “Young Magazine” in January of this year. In May, she released a new digital photo collection “Rena”.

My best “IDOL” recently
FRUITS ZIPPER

One of my favorite idols is FRUITS ZIPPER. During this shoot, they played a song by “FRUITS ZIPPER,” so I started to enjoy it during the shoot (laughs). I recommend the song “Perfectionism de ☆. Among the group, Karen Matsumoto is my guess. I used to take ″cheki″ pictures with her when I used to go to their live performances. I always get energy from my favorite idols.

From the June 5-12, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY