Ryuchell
{{Short description|Japanese model (1995–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ryuchell
| image = Super! C CHANNEL 2019 Ryuchell (48803952253).jpg
| caption = Ryuchell in 2019
| native_name = りゅうちぇる
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name = Ryūji Higa
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1995|9|29}}
| birth_place = Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|7|12|1995|9|29}}
| death_place = Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
| nationality =
| alias = Ryuchell
| education = {{unbulleted list|Okinawa Prefectural Ginowan Junior High School|Kitanakagusuku High School}}
| occupation = Model
| years_active =
| agent = Starray Production
| known_for =
| spouse = {{marriage|Peco|2016|2022|end=div}}
| children = 1
| awards =
| website =
}}
{{nihongo|Ryūji Higa{{cite web|url=http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1527414|script-title=ja:「原宿の神」モデル、ちぇるちぇるランド出身彼氏との同棲暴露 さんまと「建築関係トントントン」新ネタも披露|language=ja|work={{ill|Modelpress|ja|モデルプレス}}|date=September 27, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2016|archive-date=May 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516120700/http://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1527414|url-status=live}}|比嘉 龍二|Higa Ryūji|29 September 1995 – 12 July 2023}}, known professionally as {{nihongo|Ryuchell{{cite web | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/741435/ | title=RYUCHELL | language=ja | publisher=Oricon | access-date=March 17, 2021 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413204129/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/741435/ | url-status=live }}|りゅうちぇる|Ryūcheru}}, was a Japanese social media personality, model, singer, and activist. In the mid-2010s, Ryuchell gained a social media following through modeling in Harajuku and later became an influential figure in the Japanese genderless fashion subculture. In 2018, Ryuchell also debuted as a singer with their first song, "Hands Up!! If You're Awesome."
In 2022, Ryuchell began advocating for LGBT rights on Japanese television. This, compounded with Ryuchell's announcement that they no longer identified under male gender roles and had divorced, opened them up to scrutiny.
Early life
Ryuchell was born in Ginowan, Okinawa, on 29 September 1995. Ryuchell's older sister was the singer {{ill|Chiharu Higa|ja|比花知春}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2016/04/10/kiji/K20160410012372870.html|script-title=ja:りゅうちぇる 比花知春の弟だった！本名もバラされ、スタジオ騒然|work=Sports Nippon|language=ja|date=April 10, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513141854/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2016/04/10/kiji/K20160410012372870.html|url-status=live}} Ryuchell also attended the same high school as JO1 member {{ill|Sho Yonashiro|ja|與那城奨}},{{cite web | url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2991268 | script-title=ja:ryuchell、JO1與那城奨に“速攻電話”した出来事「でーじ嫉妬して」 エピソードに反響 | language=ja | work={{ill|Modelpress|ja|モデルプレス}} | date=February 3, 2022 | access-date=August 25, 2022 | archive-date=August 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826060433/https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/2991268 | url-status=live }} as well as The Rampage from Exile Tribe members Kenta Kamiya and Rui Yonamine.
Career
After graduating from high school, Ryuchell moved to Tokyo and began working in clothing stores in Harajuku while modeling at the same time.{{cite news | first=Patrick | last=St. Michel | url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/07/12/entertainment-news/tv-personality-lgbtq-advocate-ryuchell-dies-27/ | title=TV personality and LGBTQ advocate ryuchell dies at 27 | work=The Japan Times | date=July 12, 2023 | accessdate=July 14, 2023 | archive-date=July 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714003057/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/07/12/entertainment-news/tv-personality-lgbtq-advocate-ryuchell-dies-27/ | url-status=live }} On 14 February 2018, Ryuchell debuted as a singer with their first song, "Hands Up!! If You're Awesome." For the music video, they worked with make-up brand NYX Professional Makeup. On 15 August 2018, they released their second song, "Link", dedicated to their son.{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/294222 | script-title=ja:RYUCHELLが息子に伝えたい愛詰め込んだ新曲「Link」リリース、作詞作曲はヒャダイン | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=August 15, 2018 | access-date=August 25, 2022 | archive-date=July 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726133753/https://natalie.mu/music/news/294222 | url-status=live }}
After a four-year absence in music, on 11 January 2023, Ryuchell released their second album, Time Machine, independently.{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/509315 | script-title=ja:ryuchell新曲MV公開、ツアー開催も決定「あなたの心に愛を届けられるようにがんばります！」 | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=January 18, 2023 | access-date=July 14, 2023 | archive-date=July 14, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714074803/https://natalie.mu/music/news/509315 | url-status=live }} Ryuchell described the album's lead track, "Never Say Never Again", as "melancholy melodies" from the 1980s and 1990s. The music video was also filmed with the image of a "cute rock band from the late 80s." Ryuchell also embarked on a tour from February to March 2023 in Tokyo to promote the album.
Public image
Ryuchell originally spelled their stage name in hiragana, but began using the romanized version in 2018 after debuting as a singer.{{cite web | url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/269394 | script-title=ja:りゅうちぇる、アーティストRYUCHELLへ！デビュー曲はケンモチヒデフミ作曲 | language=ja | work=Natalie | date=February 14, 2018 | access-date=August 25, 2022 | archive-date=August 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826163721/https://natalie.mu/music/news/269394 | url-status=live }} Ryuchell was one of the key influential figures for the genderless fashion subculture in Japan, due to their penchant for androgynous and colorful clothing.{{cite news |first=Motoko |last=Rich |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/world/asia/with-manicures-and-makeup-japans-genderless-blur-line-between-pink-and-blue.html |title=With Manicures and Makeup, Japan's 'Genderless' Blur Line Between Pink and Blue |work=The New York Times |date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317002403/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/05/world/asia/with-manicures-and-makeup-japans-genderless-blur-line-between-pink-and-blue.html |url-status=live }} Ryuchell's fashion was heavily influenced by fashion from the United States in the 1980s and 1990s.
Ryuchell eventually became a prominent LGBT figure in mainstream Japanese media, making regular appearances on variety shows and at LGBT-themed events in Japan.{{Cite web |script-title=ja:ryuchell、LGBTQイベントで“愛する”ことについて語る 「決まった形はない」（日テレNEWS） |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/culture/1e6270ea816d448bbb3a2c467702fcd5 |date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |publisher=Nippon TV |language=ja |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712111050/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/culture/1e6270ea816d448bbb3a2c467702fcd5 |url-status=live }} As their popularity grew, they were also subjected to numerous harassment campaigns on Japanese social media, which primarily criticized Ryuchell's divorce and gender nonconformity.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2022 |title=ryuchellがイクメンからLGBTQの代表者ポジションに？ やはり消えないネガティヴな反応｜日刊ゲンダイDIGITAL |url=https://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/geino/315773 |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=日刊ゲンダイDIGITAL |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712112557/https://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/geino/315773 |url-status=live }}
Personal life
On 31 December 2016, Ryuchell married model and fellow Japanese social media personality Peco.{{cite web |title=Ryuchell: Japanese TV personality found dead at agent's office |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66178363 |website=BBC News |access-date=July 12, 2023 |date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712141426/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66178363 |url-status=live }} In July 2018, they announced the birth of their son, named Link after Link Larkin from Hairspray.{{cite web | url=https://news.j-wave.co.jp/2018/08/826.html | script-title=ja:りゅうちぇる、息子の名前「リンク」にキラキラネームという批判も…どんな思いを込めたのか？ | language=ja | work=J-Wave | url-access=subscription | date=August 31, 2018 | access-date=August 26, 2022 | archive-date=August 27, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827023802/https://news.j-wave.co.jp/2018/08/826.html | url-status=live }}
On 25 August 2022, Ryuchell announced through Instagram that they no longer identified with male gender roles regarding their marriage, and that they would rather be considered as a "life partner" and "parent" to Peco and their son instead.{{cite web | url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202208250001490.html | script-title=ja:ryuchellが夫であるつらさ告白 peco「最高の旦那さんだった」新しい家族の形構築 | language=ja | work=Nikkan Sports | date=August 26, 2022 | access-date=August 26, 2022 | archive-date=August 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825235259/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202208250001490.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2022 |title=ryuchellさんpecoさんがVERYに語っていた「夫婦じゃなくても一緒に子育てをする」決断への葛藤 {{!}} インタビュー {{!}} VERY［ヴェリィ］ 公式サイト｜光文社 |url=https://veryweb.jp/column/412598/ |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=VERY［ヴェリィ］ |language=ja |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712105512/https://veryweb.jp/column/412598/ |url-status=live }} Ryuchell and Peco's agencies confirmed that the two divorced, but initially denied the couple was living separately.{{cite web |date=August 26, 2022 |title= |script-title=ja:ryuchellとpecoの所属事務所、２人の離婚を認めるも別居は否定「家族３人で同居する」 |url=https://hochi.news/articles/20220826-OHT1T51080.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |work=Sports Hochi |language=ja |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826023028/https://hochi.news/articles/20220826-OHT1T51080.html |url-status=live }} In the months following the divorce, they made numerous appearances on Japanese talk shows advocating for LGBT rights in Japan.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}
Ryuchell participated in Tokyo Rainbow Pride since 2018.{{cite web |date=April 23, 2023 |title= |script-title=ja:ryuchell、LGBTQイベントで声詰まらせ「自分の心にしかない愛や幸せがある」訴え |url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202304230001921.html |accessdate=April 29, 2023 |work=Nikkan Sports |language=ja |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428040124/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202304230001921.html |url-status=live }}
Death
On 12 July 2023, Ryuchell was found unconscious by their manager in a talent agency office located in the Sasazuka neighborhood of Shibuya.{{Cite news |date=July 12, 2023 |title=Japanese TV personality Ryuchell found dead at agency's office |language=en |work=Mainichi Daily News |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230712/p2a/00m/0na/021000c |access-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712112255/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230712/p2a/00m/0na/021000c |url-status=live }} They were pronounced dead shortly afterward, at age 27. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the cause of death was believed to have been suicide.{{cite web |date=July 12, 2023 |title= |script-title=ja:タレントryuchellさん死亡 東京・渋谷区の事務所で |url=https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/ffc2a2cb03c5429eb1bcc3c75baaeb4a |accessdate=July 12, 2023 |publisher=Nippon TV |language=ja |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712100010/https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/ffc2a2cb03c5429eb1bcc3c75baaeb4a |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202307120001047.html | title=ryuchellさん死去 27歳 事務所で死亡している状態で発見 | language=ja | work=Nikkan Sports | date=July 12, 2023 | accessdate=July 12, 2023 | archive-date=July 12, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712100332/https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202307120001047.html | url-status=live }}
Filmography
=Film=
=TV series=
=Stage=
| class="wikitable" | ||
| Year
! Title ! Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Arikanashika | {{cn|date=July 2023}} |
Discography
=Albums=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://starray-p.com/artist/ryucheru}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Models from Okinawa Prefecture
Category:People from Ginowan, Okinawa
Category:Singers from Okinawa Prefecture
Category:Japanese non-binary people
Category:Japanese LGBTQ singers
Category:Japanese LGBTQ models
Category:Japanese television personalities