Even Amid Allegations of Sexual Harassment… She’s Making a Comeback! Chinatsu Wakatsuki “Lands Her Own Show Thanks to Her conversational Skills”—The Reason Behind Her Strength That Goes Beyond Being a “Mom Celebrity”

In high demand in the TV industry

Her self-titled show, *Chinatsu Sashihara* (Fuji TV), premiered this spring. Chinatsu Wakatsuki (42) is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

“During the May 26 broadcast of *Audrey Here and There* (TV Tokyo), when the conversation turned to ‘talents who are good at talking,’ *Audrey*’s Masayasu Wakabayashi (47) and others mentioned Wakatsuki’s name and praised her, saying, ‘She’s just too good.’“Her conversational skills, which even top comedians admire, are highly valued in the TV industry, and her name comes up almost every time in casting meetings and proposal documents,” said a producer at a major network.

After debuting as a gravure idol in 2001, Wakatsuki broke through as a variety show star. In 2009, she launched the apparel brand “w♥c.” Although she took a break from television for about 10 years—giving birth to her first child in 2012 and her second in 2017—she shows absolutely no signs of having been away.

“Just like Eiko Koike (45) and MEGUMI (44), people often talk about how amazing the gravure-turned-talents who were active in the 2000s really are. They’re female warriors who survived by turning even remarks bordering on sexual harassment into laughter and skillfully deflecting them—all during an era when there was virtually no awareness of compliance.Compared to the “baradol” (idol-actresses) who’ve only ever known the gentle, Reiwa-era set, the difference in their experience is just too great,” says a director at a production company.

While many female celebrities shift toward a “mom talent” career path after giving birth, Wakatsuki continues to shine in ways that defy the mom talent mold.

“Still, the fact that becoming a mother has given her remarks more conviction is definitely a strength. When she occasionally brings up her child, it instantly makes her seem more relatable. Despite having such an extensive career, she’s willing to take the lead and cut to the chase just like a young talent, and she expresses a full range of emotions.She really stands out from other ‘mom celebrities.’ And yet, she doesn’t overstep her bounds when other cast members are in the spotlight. It’s amazing how she can read the flow of the show and adapt her role accordingly,” says a broadcast writer.

On the other hand, the same writer continues, “Her only weakness is that you can catch glimpses of a sort of ‘gal-like’ or ‘bully-like’ streak.”

“She once shared an anecdote on *The Night Ueda and the Women Howl* (Nippon TV) about how she was scolded by Kayoko Okubo (55) for taking apart the gourd-shaped keychain attached to her bag without permission.I assume she shared this story with Okubo’s permission, but since we’re in an era where even the slightest remark can spark a massive backlash, she’d better be careful.”

Although Wakatsuki is already in high demand, “there are signs that she herself is turning down offers to host solo,” reveals the production company director mentioned earlier.

“In fact, many proposals for her to serve as the sole host have come up in planning meetings, but none have materialized. Perhaps they’re concerned that if she becomes the host, she’ll be the one steering the conversation, which would reduce the opportunities for her sharp-witted banter. If that’s the case, it’s a wise decision.If the ratings are poor, she’ll likely face criticism. The challenge is how long she can maintain her current position. If she doesn’t reinvent herself as she gets older, things could get tough.”

Hiromi (61), who made a comeback after a long hiatus, has also mellowed out. Will she be able to build a peaceful second golden age like him!?