5 Former Idols who Succeeded in Their Own PassionsPosted by Sharuru on May.19.2017Akari HayamiWhen Akari Hayami decided to graduate from Momoiro Clover, the group had been steadily climbing the ranks of the idol industry and growing in popularity. Once she left, they rebranded themselves as a five-member Momoiro Clover Z—starting over, just as Hayami did. She devoted herself to acting, going on to appear in dramas and feature films, as well as commercials. For Hayami, it was a return to her original ambition. It is difficult for many girls to break away from the strong “idol” image they had come to be associated with, but the former Momoiro Clover sub-leader pressed on in pursuit of her own individual path as an actress. “I’m not suited for the idol route, but I want to act,” she declared in a bold statement at the time of her graduation.