This interview article was published by Sports Hochi on September 7, 2017; however, the page has since been removed and no archives remain.

A first for OGs! Sakihi Miyu proceeds towards a contract with Universal Music, appears in tango CD and stage concert in October

Former Takarazuka Snow Troupe Top Musumeyaku Sakihi Miyu (26) is known to be joining Universal Music as of the 6th. She is the first former Takarasienne to become a member of Universal. She will be participating in the recording of ‘Everything Tango’ (on sale October 25), which is a collaboration between multiple artists. She agreed to an interview with Sports Hochi and spoke about her current state of mind.

One month has passed since her retirement from Takarazuka. While in the company time was always of the essence and every day was full of work that had to be done, “now I can use my time as I please, so that’s a very refreshing feeling,” she says with a smile.

Her first stage appearance after retirement is the concert connected to the CD release (October 24th and 25th, Meguro Persimmon Hall, Tokyo). Her clear singing voice and stunning performance skills will be put to full use first in the world of tango.

Universal couldn’t let someone of her expressive talent and singing skill get away. Her signing was based on their high valuation of her as well as their understanding, based on her own statement ‘I want to continue acting’ that she had great hopes for a career as an actress. While she did not say much on this point, there was high competition going on behind the scenes.

She is the first former Takarasienne to join Universal. “When I decided where I would go, it was a relief. I want to be able to challenge myself in many ways. I’m prepared for things to be difficult. I intend to take on everything as a first-year new hire,” says Sakihi.

She says that when she decided to join, she was told “this will be a new challenge for us at Universal Music too. We hope to work hard together with you.’ ‘Those words, as well as the smiles and strong handshakes, are continually supporting me,” she says. Soon she will sign the formal contract.

Now that she has safely completed her move to Tokyo, she has created an environment where she can concentrate on work. With the start of her new life, she has cut her hair, which she kept long during her musumeyaku era. For this tango album, she has been given the famous song ‘Gray Afternoon [En Esta Tarde Gris]’. In the recording studio, she sings in the role of a woman despairing over lingering feelings for the lover who has left her, presenting a completely new and different attitude from her time in Takarazuka. Her fans will surely be surprised.

“Unlike in live theatre, in a CD people can’t understand emotions visually, so especially in tango I know it’s essential that I put all the emotions into the song. It’s difficult, but I enjoy singing more than anything.”

Other OGs are scheduled to participate in the classically styled concert, including former Top Stars Makoto Tsubasa (52), Shizuki Asato (47), and Mizu Natsuki (47). “I’m so honored just to participate in this. However, I dont want to hang back and be shy, but put myself forward as much as I am allowed to.”

She is still young, in her twenties, and her gorgeous appearance would be well suited to film as well. “Having been a Takarazuka Top Musumeyaku is an asset and something I’m very proud of, but for now I have returned to square one. That means going forward into new jobs with sincere dedication and working hard no matter how many times I fail or how much I cry.” As a big-ticket new actress, she will surely see continuous offers for film and drama appearances in the future.

Profile: Sakihi Miyu was born March 16, 1991, in Miyazaki Prefecture. She is currently 26. She joined the Takarazuka Revue in 2010, had her first junior heroine role in 2012, and joined Snow Troupe in 2014 where she became Top Musumeyaku as Sagiri Seina’s partner. She retired with Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate in July of this year. She is 160cm tall. Her special skills are sprinting and bodyboarding. Her nickname is Yuumi.