An alumna of Stardust is set to serve as the promising new center of AKB48.
AKB48s 67th single, "Nagori Zakura", scheduled for release on 2/25, will feature 19th generation member Momoka Ito in the new center position.
It is known that before joining AKB48, she was affiliated with Stardust Promotion under a different stage name. From around 2020 to 2023, she belonged to Stardust Promotion Production 3rd Division under the name Nana Kitano.
Rather than the idol division, she was active mainly on stage as part of the theater troupe "Do It Over" (later renamed "Always Thankyou"), which was composed primarily of teens aspiring to become actresses, where she honed her acting skills and expressive abilities. Incidentally, members of Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu have also emerged from another group within the same division.
She left Stardust Promotion during her sophomore year of university, and while about her future path, she challenged the AKB48 19th generation audition. She passed at the very last moment within AKB48s age limit and was unveiled in March 2024.
Just a little over a year after joining, she has already entered the senbatsu lineup and is now taking on her first center role, drawing considerable attention. In addition, the new song "Nagori Zakura" is also being well received as AKB48s first "sakura"-themed title in about 15 years.
Fans are also hoping that someday she will appear together with members from Stardust Promotion.
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