Rena Kato’s Secret Joy on Set: “I’m All About the Food!”

Both gravure modeling and being an idol

——You made your gravure debut in January this year, and this is your second time appearing on the cover of “FRIDAY!”

“I’m so happy to be a ‘FRIDAY’ cover girl again! Since my gravure debut in January, I’ve gained experience at all kinds of photo shoots. I’ve expanded my range of expressions and poses, and personally, I feel I’ve become even better than before.”

——What stands out in your memory from this shoot?

“The theme this time was a young lady from an affluent family. The location, ‘Chibary Hills,’ was a luxurious studio unlike anywhere I’d ever been before, and I got to feel like a princess! I’ve admired Cinderella since I was little, so from the moment the shoot began, I was absolutely thrilled. The swimsuits were elegant, too, giving me a more mature look than usual. As we were taking photos, I found myself thinking, ‘I wonder if I’ll ever get to live in a house like this someday.’ (laughs) It felt like stepping into a storybook world, and I had so much fun.”

——We hear that during photo shoots, you look forward to the meal afterward.

“I absolutely love eating! Food is what motivates me! (laughs) ‘FRIDAY’ always asks what I’d like to eat, so last time they prepared some slightly upscale sushi. This time, they got me a delicious bento with sirloin steak and salted beef tongue with green onions. Having that meal as a reward after each shoot always makes me so happy.”

——It’s been four months since our last interview. Has anything changed?

“The biggest change was making my debut on September 7 as a member of an idol group. Once I was confirmed as a member, my whole life changed. I suddenly found myself spending all my time in lessons, living almost like an athlete. Maintaining my figure is important for gravure modeling, but as I prepared for my debut, I was dancing for about five to six hours every day, and I kept getting slimmer and slimmer.

So I started paying more attention to my diet to make sure I didn’t lose too much weight. I made a conscious effort to eat nutritious, high-protein foods like meat and boiled eggs, and I always carried around about three large rice balls I’d made at home. (laughs) Looking back, I feel like my love of food helped me get through that grueling period of preparation for my debut!”

——In our previous interview, you said you’d like to try being an idol again if you had the opportunity. That happened sooner than expected! What kind of group is it?

“It’s a seven-member group called ‘MixVail,’ abbreviated as ‘Mikuberu.’ The seven of us come from different backgrounds. Some members appeared on dating reality shows, while others have worked as models or actors. The name ‘Vail’ reflects our hope that, through our activities as idols, each member will show different sides of herself and reveal new charms as she grows and changes. Onstage, we want to shine as idols with an overwhelming presence, while at fan events and on social media, we show a more approachable side. Our goal is to keep changing as we put on different veils, becoming a group that can show our fans a new side of ourselves each time.”

An idol career she’s putting her life on the line for

——What role do you play within the group?

“My member color is yellow, and I’m the energetic one! I’m outgoing, love cracking jokes, and enjoy making everyone laugh, so I want to be someone who brightens the atmosphere and puts people at ease. I’m the second-youngest member, so I guess I’m also like the group’s little sister. I’m already 20, but the other members call me ‘Big Baby.’ (laughs) Please support me in all my energetic glory!”

——How did you feel when you finally made your debut at the live show on September 7?

“I was also active as an idol in high school, but this time I had quit the nursing school I was attending and made up my mind to build my life in the entertainment industry. I stepped onto the stage with the feeling that I was putting my entire life on the line. I was extremely nervous, but some fans I hadn’t seen in a long time came, along with people I was meeting for the first time. I was truly happy that so many people came to see us.”

——What do you focus on when balancing gravure modeling and idol activities?

“I put a lot of effort into shaping and maintaining my body. Idol activities involve singing and dancing, which burn a tremendous number of calories. If I neglect my diet, I lose weight, so I make sure to eat properly even when I’m tired or short on time.

For gravure modeling, I strike all kinds of poses, so I do stretching and core training at home. I’ve been doing artistic gymnastics since I was five, so I think I have a pretty good level of physical fitness. I used to be able to do backflips with ease, but I haven’t done one in years, so I’m not sure if I can still do it. Though I think I probably can! (laughs) Gravure shoots sometimes take place on uneven sandy beaches, and I feel the muscles and core strength I developed through gymnastics help me hold the same pose for long periods.

I also love saunas, and I came up with my own home sauna idea. (laughs) I fill the bathtub with hot water, turn on the bathroom heater, close the lid, and get in. I work up quite a sweat, so I can enjoy the sauna experience right at home.”

——Finally, what are your ambitions for your activities going forward?

“For gravure modeling, I want to fully embody each shoot’s theme and bring out expressions that are different from what I’ve shown before. As an idol, I want lots of people to see the cheerful, carefree person I really am. Right now, I get the impression that many people first discover me through gravure, but from now on, I want to work hard so that people will also know me as ‘Katō Rena,’ or ‘Katore-na,’ from ‘Mikuberu’!”

Rena Kato, 20

Born in Aichi Prefecture. After making her gravure debut in January this year, she quickly became a sensation, appearing on the covers of one magazine after another. Alongside her gravure work, she has also launched her idol career as a member of “MixVail,” continuing her rapid rise.

My Recent Favorite: ANIME
“Chiikawa”

I’ve always loved “Chiikawa,” but after watching the movie, I became even more attached to it.

The characters look cute, but the story is philosophical.

My favorite characters are Chiikawa and Usagi.

I’ve collected so much merchandise, including plush toys, umbrellas, socks, popcorn buckets, and thermometers, that an entire corner of my room is now dedicated to my collection. (laughs)

From the October 23 & 30, 2026, combined issue of “FRIDAY”