An idol recently came under fire after she was caught speaking poorly about her group members on social media. Now, both she and her agency have officially announced her hiatus.
Kitagawa Rio is a member of Morning Musume, a Japanese girl group that debuted in 1997. After members “graduate,” new ones join the group. As such, Kitagawa, who joined the group in 2019, is part of the current lineup, Morning Musume ’25.
Recently, her private account was leaked, exposing the comments she made about her group members, secretly taken photos, and behind-the-scenes moments that weren’t meant for the public eye.
This is something that always happens in Morning Musume, someone wears a cute dress but then ruins it with these tacky socks. I seriously don’t get what kind of sense of style leads to that. Just wear plain white socks and you’re halfway there.
— Kitagawa Rio
During the Buzz Rhythm (music show) shoot, I called Ikuta out for being rude when I said good morning. Even the host, Bakary-san, heard it and was like, ‘That’s too much,’ so I thought maybe she’d change after that. But she was even worse today. If I say ‘good morning’, then just accept it. Disgusting. Are you the emperor? So incompetent anyway.
— Kitagawa Rio
She’s 26, but she still sits on planes and the bullet train barefoot with her knees up.
— Kitagawa Rio
Can Ikuta quit already?
— Kitagawa Rio
Makino getting on the train with twin tails was scary. Is she trying to be Xiaoxiao or something?
— Kitagawa Rio
[Censored] isn’t even done yet, and I have to wake up in 5 and a half hours. This is seriously killing me. It’s always ‘Homamei, Homamei’ (nickname for a duo pairing of two fellow members), then just the two of you go do it already.
— Kitagawa Rio
A senior member was 100% gossiping about me behind my back. If you’re gonna do it, at least wait until I’m not around, you old lady.
— Kitagawa Rio
The controversy spread like wildfire online and attracted attention on the popular Korean forum theqoo. Now Morning Musume ’25’s agency, Hello! Project, has addressed the matter on their official website. In their statement, the agency said that Kitagawa admitted to making the controversial comments, that she is deeply reflecting on her behavior, and that her activities will be suspended for the time being.
“I sincerely apologize for causing concern and unpleasant feelings to my fans. I have directly apologized to each member I hurt as well,” Kitagawa wrote in her apology. “The current posts circulating are from conversations I had with a close female friend about our daily lives and work. I realize now that I acted carelessly and will take this time to reflect and improve myself before returning to my activities.”
She apologized for her “immature behavior,” apologized to her fans, and said that she will be taking a break from her activities to reflect on herself.