Popular J-Pop Idol Apologizes After Secret Account Used to Criticize Fellow Members Is Exposed
Most recently, female idol Kitagawa Rio of Japan’s “national girl group” Morning Musume was caught operating a secret account where she criticized her fellow members. On this account, the 2004-born idol freely posted candid photos and harsh remarks about her groupmates.
Fans were shocked, as the negative comments completely contradicted Kitagawa Rio’s cheerful and sweet public image. The scandal has even spread beyond Japan, becoming a hot topic on social media in China and South Korea.
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Harsh Remarks Towards Fellow Members
Some of her critical posts included:
“This always happens in Morning Musume someone wears a cute dress but ruins it with these tacky socks. I don’t get it. Just wear plain white socks and you’re halfway there.”
“During the Buzz Rhythm recording, I called out Ikuta for rudely greeting me in the morning. Even MC Bakary-san heard it and said, ‘That’s too much,’ so I thought she’d change. But today was even worse. When I said ‘Good morning,’ she gave me a disgusting look like ‘Who do you think you are, an empress?’ Come on, grow up. You’re useless anyway.”
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“She’s already 26 but still takes off her shoes and curls up on planes and bullet trains.”
“Ikuta, please just disappear already.”
“Makino got on the train with two braids—she looked terrifying. Is she trying to act like Xiaoxiao or something?”
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“A senior member 100% talked behind my back. If you’re going to do that, at least wait until I’m gone, you old hag.”
Public Apology and Confirmation
Following the backlash, Kitagawa Rio issued a formal apology on Morning Musume’s official blog, confirming that she was indeed responsible for all the controversial posts.
“I sincerely apologize for hurting the members and our fans with my immature actions,” she wrote.
According to her statement, the posts dated back two years and were originally shared with friends during everyday life conversations. Rio expressed deep remorse, adding:
“What I did is truly inexcusable. I’ve reflected seriously on my behavior. I am deeply sorry for this incident.”
Divided Fan Reactions
The apology triggered mixed reactions among the fanbase. While some fans extended their support and forgiveness to the 21-year-old idol, others found her actions unacceptable and damaging to the group’s reputation.
Critics argued that her behavior not only breached the trust within the group but also negatively impacted the public’s perception of Morning Musume as a whole.
Kitagawa Rio joined Morning Musume in 2019 as part of the 15th generation. She quickly became one of the group’s standout members thanks to her clear vocals and youthful, charming appearance.
However, this year has been particularly turbulent for the young idol. Prior to the recent scandal, she was also involved in another controversy after a photo of her with a man surfaced online. At the time, she clarified that the man was simply a university friend and issued an apology to fans for the misunderstanding.
With two back-to-back incidents, Kitagawa Rio’s public image has taken a significant hit, leaving fans and the industry questioning how the group will navigate the road ahead.
