Nishiyama Nazuna Today, I will continue to challenge myself to become a source of smiles.

■ Profile

Date of birth: 1999 year 12 month 29 day
Hometown: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, 4th year student at Japan University of Economics
Hobbies: Singing, calligraphy (8th dan), soccer
Special skills: swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, baton twirling

～NEWS～
◆April 2021 - "NATURAL BEAUTY BASIC" web advertising model
◆January 21 Italian wine advertisement
◆20 Years of Unbelievable ∞ World - Higa Aimi
◆20 NHK drama
"As of today, Director Miura will become a woman."
◆19 NHK This is not an expense, regular role as Keiko Ueno

Nishiyama Nazuna is a current female university student who first walked the runway in sixth grade and began her entertainment career, and two years ago appeared as an actress in the NHK drama series "This Isn't Expenseable!" We asked her about what motivated her to start her entertainment career, what motivates her to work, and her dreams for the future.

■I still can't forget my first runway experience

Ever since I was old enough to understand, I've always wanted to stand out, and I thought, "I want lots of people to know about me. I want them to see me." I was interested in entertainment from a young age, so I started modeling for information magazines when I was in the first grade of elementary school. When I was in the fourth grade of elementary school, I auditioned for a theater company and passed, but at the time I had many other things I wanted to do, such as soccer and swimming, so I didn't pursue a full-fledged entertainment career.
A turning point came when I participated in a local fashion show in sixth grade. The entry requirement for this fashion show was 17 years old or older. However, I was 12 years old at the time, and perhaps because I was tall and mature, I somehow got in (laughs). It was my first fashion show, and I was surrounded by older women, so I was very nervous leading up to the show. After two months of rigorous practice, I finally walked down the runway for the first time in my life. Once I was on the runway, I wasn't nervous at all; I was focused on how to make myself and my fashion look beautiful. After it was over, I felt a strong desire to be the center of attention and do more of this fun activity. After that fashion show, I was scouted by an agency at the time, and decided to pursue a full-time entertainment career.

■Smiles are my driving force!

　While balancing my school life and modeling activities, there were many difficult times, such as not being able to attend classes or having three hours of lessons every day after school. But what motivated me through all of this was the smiles of the people around me. Ever since I was little, I've wanted to make everyone around me smile! I want to be the source of that smile! So when I see the staff smiling after a successful shoot, or my family and friends happy for my success, I feel really glad that I entered this industry.

■I'll try anything!　

Basically, I always have a strong "let's try anything" spirit. To give you an idea of ​​how strong I am, even if my manager suggests 10 to 15 auditions in a week, I'll take them all. Even if I fail an audition, I'm so positive that I can quickly switch gears and think, "The judges just didn't notice my appeal, and the next audition is waiting for me!" Because of this, I'm never scared when it comes to trying new things; rather, I feel a strong desire to "give it a try!"
I wasn't particularly scared when I moved from Fukuoka to Tokyo to attend university and jump into a new life as an actress. I'm sure there are some people who are afraid to step into a new world. But I believe, "You won't know if you can do it until you give it a try. First, try it in your own way! If it doesn't work, there's nothing you can do about it!" As a woman from Kyushu, I think I've always had a lot of drive, determination and stamina (laughs).
　So I jumped into the world of acting, but at first I didn't even know how to memorize my lines and I really didn't know what to do. But now I love acting. It all started when I was cast as a regular in the NHK drama series "This Is Not an Expense!" Filming took place from early morning until late at night, which was quite challenging, but it was my first time experiencing working as part of a team, and I learned so much and was able to grow immensely. When the director praised me after filming wrapped up, it made me think, "I want to act more and more! I want to work harder!"

■I hope you will not hesitate to try what you want to do!

　I want all university students to try anything they want to do! I know there are many difficult things, such as job hunting and exams, but I want you to never give up on what you want to do and keep trying so that you don't regret not doing it. I want you to keep trying in your own way and not get discouraged by every little failure. You won't know if you can do it until you try!
I'm currently a fourth-year university student, working hard towards my dreams. My dreams include appearing in a morning drama, appearing in a Sentai series, modeling for kimonos, and walking the runway in many fashion shows. I also definitely want to do work related to Anpanman, which I've loved since I was a kid, someday!
I will continue to challenge myself to be the source of smiles for everyone, so I hope you will continue to challenge yourself towards your dreams with me!

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on June 8, 2021 by Yusuke Suzuki, a fourth-year student at Hosei University