Last week, Shida Manaka, 23, a former member of Japanese girl group Kenakizaka46, surprised fans when she announced on Instagram that she had switched careers to become a barmaid at a bar in Ginza. The singer-turned-model
says that while the decision may seem unexpected, it's a job she's always wanted to try.
"I never pursued it because it had nothing to do with my career (as a singer) but after talking to a lot of people they encouraged me to go. I feel like you only live once so I decided to give it a shot and be me Love things!" she wrote.
She's the bar's September cover girl
Manaka admits she's excited and anxious about her new job because she has no experience in it, but it's a challenge she's looking forward to.
She also welcomes fans, even ladies, to visit her at the bar.
Unsurprisingly, fans were shocked by her announcement, but most were very supportive of her decision and said they would patronize her. Netizens on
also warned her to be careful and not to deal with the staff there.
Manaka is one of the original members of Kusaka46
Manaka made her acting debut in 2015 with Kensaka46 and is known for her cool demeanor.
In 2017, she fainted while performing on stage and was interrupted.
During the break, she was photographed holding hands with a man in her hometown of Niigata. The news tarnished her idol-singing career and banned dating. There are also rumors that she is pregnant.
Although she never responded to the rumors, she left the group a few months later to become a model.
Photo: Shida Zhenzhong / Weibo
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