She struck me as too talented during the audition; that kind of thing will put loads of pressure on her fellow 9th gens. But judging from their comments on stage, they're all ready to give it their all, so having Riho turn into insta-center may get them just frustrated enough to out-practice her.
Her ubertalentedness and the mention of her "studying dance" on Bijo Gako made me look her up, where I found out about her performing at Actor's School Hiroshima since 2006 - longer than Aika's been in Morning Musume. "Great," I thought, "this girl just wants to take whatever route is quickest to get into showbiz; if she lost here, she'd show up as an AKB Kenkyuusei in a week or two." Then I checked the names of the songs she was in: Halation Summer? Anataboshi? Kaccho Ii Ze Japan? Uwaki na Honey Pie? Maybe it's coincidence, or maybe she's been aiming for H!P all along. That, along with her winning the audition to share an appearance in Fashionable's Osaka performances is a little bit of testament to her H!P love (or just her eagerness to pounce on any chance that comes along).
It does strike me as odd that between winning the Fashionable audition and winning this audition, she appeared on stage for
ASH's autumn performance festival, even though both auditions required that you not be signed to any production agency.
Another suspicion: based on some Perfume interviews, ASH is split into classes based somewhat on talent and potential; Nocchi was a part of this class while A-chan and Kashiyuka were not. From 2006 to early 2009, Riho was part of the A Class; after autumn 2009 she was in B Class. No idea which is the "good" class, but Riho was appearing in several units for almost every concert since she joined, and if the pictures are indication enough she was in the center of a lot of them. She even got to sing solo for
two concerts in a row, singing an 80's idol song each time. One way or another, I can't wait for the newbies to go on Music Japan so Riho can meet Perfume.
So after all that Googling I've decided I like her OK, but if she makes Aika call her "Senpai" I'll pour vinegar in her cereal. And if she makes Sayumin sad I'll dye her eyebrows purple while she sleeps.
Topic: The Sayashi Riho Thread (鞘師里保) (Read 196210 times)