Hello! Project is holding a joint new member audition for Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory between January 22 and March 1, 2021. This is the first time for Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory to accept applications from the general public. It is also the first time in the history of Hello! Project to have a joint audition.
In commemoration of the audition, Music Natalie held a round-table talk session with current members who have joined Haropuro through auditions in the past. These members are Nonaka Miki from Morning Musume。'21, Kamikokuryo Moe from Angerme, and Hirai Miyo from BEYOOOOONDS. They are the same age as each other and excel in their respective fields of expertise. We talked about how they auditioned, their stories after joining the group, and their thoughts on Haropuro.
(T/N: This is a translation of an article that was originally published on February 19, 2021 by Music Natalie . Sorry this interview is too long so only Hirai Miyo’s answers are translated)
How an ordinary girl joins Haropuro
─ Why did you choose Hello! Project (hereinafter referred to as "Haropuro") among the many other idols? Also, please tell us how you join the group.
Hirai Miyo: Originally I wanted to be a performer rather than an idol. In my first year of high school, I applied to Takarazuka Music School. However, under the influence of my older sister, I fell in love with Haropuro. As I learned more about the group, I realized that the quality of their singing and dancing was very high. I began to feel that I wanted to join.
─ I see.
Hirai: So I auditioned for “Morning Musume 13th gen Audition” and “Hello! Project 20th Anniversary New Member Audition” but failed both auditions. Because of my age, I gave up and went on to a normal university. However, when I saw the application guidelines for the "Only You" Audition (held in 2018), the age limit was 22 years-old. I thought I'll definitely lose out if I don't try, so I applied immediately.
─ Were there anything from the audition process that left you with an impression?
Hirai: Memories of the audition... I had always competed in dance but in the fourth round I only performed with a song. I was asked, "What? You're not going to dance today?” The question filled me with anxiety but on the flipside, I was glad that they remembered me!
Seniors said with a smile, "It’s all right.”
─ Although you have basic singing and dancing skills, you joined the group without prior experience. What was your most memorable experience when you joined the group?
Hirai: In the case of BEYOOOOONDS, three members including myself had passed the audition. The other members were all former Haropuro trainees, so they were younger than me but senior to me in Haropuro. In the beginning, the other members were confused about how to treat us. However, Maeda Kokoro-chan who had been a trainee for a long time, took the initiative to tell us what to do before we made a mistake. Whenever we make a mistake, she will say, "I'm sorry, I didn't tell you beforehand.” She is too kind. Eventually, the group was able to benefit from the difference where the trainees and auditioners brought what they knew and what they didn’t know to each other.
─ So the members supported you right after you joined. How were the lessons?
Hirai: BEYOOOOONDS has a lot of skits so from the time I joined the group, we had to practice our articulation and acting. Even now, whenever we release a new song there will be time set aside for acting during our rehearsals(laughs). We practice many times on how to say and when to pause in our lines.
A life I thought I'd given up on has made a comeback.
─ What made you feel glad that you joined Haropuro?
Hirai: I had given up on my dream of joining Takarazuka when I joined Haropuro, but with “Engeki Joshibu”(Haropuro’s acting club) I had the opportunity to act on stage so it was like a dream that I had once given up on came true. After receiving male roles, I studied the movements and dialogue of Takarazuka's male roles. I thought it was fate that the life I had given up made a comeback at the most unexpected place.
Also, I used to be the type of person who couldn't really express my feelings, but the members of BEYOOOOONDS often tell each other, "That was a great performance!”, "That was so cool!”, "I love you!” and so on. Gradually, I was able to talk to them a little more. I really respect the members and I think I've changed too, in a good way.
People who have been there for me through thick and thin.
─ By the way, what do your family and people around you say about Haropuro?
Hirai: My manager gave me a lot of support. Recently, I made the same mistake I made in the past. I'm afraid that I might get in trouble again so the pressure is... (tears)
─ It's okay. Take your time to explain.
Hirai: I had to give the same performance on the following day, but I was afraid to go on stage… My manager sent me a message saying, "Don't worry, be confident.” Thanks to that, I thought even if I cry now, tomorrow will still come so I shall do my best. In the end, the performance went well. Immediately after that, my manager told me, “I knew you could do it! But perhaps next time it will be better if you do more of this…” I feel grateful for that.
We're all so different, it's like a family.
─ You’re also a university student, how do you balance your studies?
Hirai: Since there are many students in BEYOOOOONDS, we sometimes study together in the dressing room. The other day, Nishida Shiori-chan said she didn't understand her chemistry homework so I taught her (laughs).
Both work and study are things that I can't balance in my mind, so sometimes I worry about them. However, the members worry about me and tell me to rely on them more, so now I can even whine to them. I am able to say things like, "I'm having trouble with my report right now..." or "I haven't slept at all so please let me sleep in the dressing room!” (laughs).
─ At Haropuro, you are able to work on what you like and what you want to challenge, right?
Hirai: Yes. Apart from the staff and members of the same group, the seniors from other groups are also very dependable. In December 2019, I was overwhelmed by the amount of work I had. I was so exhausted that I cried during the rehearsal for the countdown live. My seniors came up to me and asked if I was doing okay. Ishida Ayumi-san (Morning Musume。'21), who had been watching our performance backstage, gave me a hug. Inaba Manaka-san (Juice=Juice) sent me a message asking, "Miyorin, are you okay?”. Later on another day, I had dinner with Miyamoto Karin-san (ex. Juice=Juice) and talked to her about my work while crying. I think I have a close relationship with my seniors.
No matter the outcome, it is destiny.
─ In this audition, you are recruiting new members for Juice=Juice and Tsubaki Factory.
Hirai: The dressing room is always lively and interesting, isn't it?
Both Juice=Juice’s and Tsubaki’s performances are feminine, but Juice=Juice gives off a more mature energy while Tsubaki gives off a young lady's energy. But for BEYOOOOONDS, we have many interesting songs (laughs), so I really admire both groups.
─ Both groups have different charms, and I am looking forward to seeing who will join us.
Hirai: That's right. This is a joint audition so even if you pass, you don't know which group you'll join. It may be an uneasy feeling but I've auditioned three times so far, and I'm glad that I was accepted for the "ONLY YOU" audition. It's all about timing so no matter which group you end up joining, it is destiny. I’m sure you'll be happy with the result. If you join Haropuro, you'll learn a lot and you'll be able to make the most of yourself. I hope you'll give it your all and enjoy the audition. Even if you fail, I hope you won't take that as a negative thing.
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