Shining Talent: The Story of Suzuka Nakamoto

Born to Shine: The Rise of Suzuka Nakamoto

Meet Suzuka Nakamoto, a true prodigy who began her modeling career at the tender age of 3. By the time she turned 4, Suzuka had already secured the grand prize as the image girl for Bandai's "Jeweldrop" cosmetics for children. But that was just the beginning.

At the age of 8, Suzuka won the Grand Prix at the highly competitive 4th Alpark Scholarship Audition, securing her place at Actors School Hiroshima (ASH), a prestigious training institution for aspiring idols, talents, singers, and entertainers in Japan. Suzuka was selected to participate in ASH's scholarship open audition, a rare opportunity for someone so young.

Her talent and dedication were immediately recognized by ASH's voice training instructor, Tsuwako Tanaka, who described Suzuka as a true standout. 

She said, “For instance, I first saw Suzuka Nakamoto, who is now the lead vocalist of Baby Metal, in the lobby of Aster Plaza. She was there to attend a presentation, and even at that young age, she stood out from the other children. Impressed by her talent, I knew I had to scout her, and confidently stated, "She will definitely sell, and you should definitely get her. Her aura was different." It's amazing to see how far she's come since then.”(FM Hatsukaichi "Indie Arrow" broadcast on May 8, 2019)

Suzuka Nakamoto and Riho Sheyashi: The Friendly Rivalry that Led to Idol Greatness

It was at ASH where Suzuka met Riho Sheyashi, a fellow student and friendly rival. Despite being younger, Riho entered ASH before Suzuka, and the two would push each other to be the best they could be.

ASH holds two major recitals a year, where students from the school showcase their talent. Suzuka and Riho were no exception, wowing audiences with their performances. They even took to the stage at Christmas time, performing at Alpark East Plaza and Motomachi Credo Square.

According to Riko Ishino, a junior who studied with Suzuka and Riho at ASH, the two were forces to be reckoned with. Their dedication and hard work were unmatched, and their friendly competition pushed them both to new heights.

She said, “Riho was an amazing senior when I joined ASH. Her aura was different even back then, and she always stood at the top. Together with Suzuka, they seemed to lead ASH. I think they were rivals of sorts. They were often in the same class, and during our in-class auditions, they would compete for the chance to sing the big chorus. Everyone looked up to both of them.” (2015.08.03)　

Suzuka Nakamoto's story is a testament to the power of talent, hard work, and determination. Her rise to stardom at such a young age is awe-inspiring, and she continues to shine as a beacon of hope for anyone with big dreams and the drive to make them a reality.