
The comedian known as “Japan’s Beyonce” reveals embarrassing details we can all relate to in her debut video for Vogue.
Naomi Watanabe is one of Japan’s most popular female celebrities, first hitting the big-time back in 2008 when she burst onto TV screens with a series of energetic Beyoncé Knowles dance impersonations that led her to become known as “Japan’s Beyoncé”.
Since then, the Japanese comedian has gone on to become a body-positive spokeswoman for plus-size women everywhere, playing gigs overseas, modelling for magazines and establishing her own plus-size label, PUNYUS. Now even fashion and lifestyle giant Vogue is sitting up and taking notice of the star, asking her to appear in one of their popular Vogue Beauty Series videos.
Unlike many of the famous faces who’ve appeared in the Vogue video series, which includes celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham, Watanabe isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself during the clip, applying makeup from less-than new containers and palettes, and pulling crazy faces in a down-to-earth makeup tutorial we can all relate to.
Take a look at the clip below.
Watanabe’s video is much more than just a “Guide to Glitter Eyes and Bold Lips”. In the clip, she shows us how she conceals the pimples around her chin…
▼ And takes out several of her “dirty” makeup palettes for the world to see.
▼ She also comments on the amazing length of time that she’s had her MAC blush for.
According to Watanabe, the American staff member from Vogue who was present during filming of the video couldn’t understand any Japanese so she had no idea what was being said, but she was still laughing at Watanabe’s jokes and gags despite the language barrier.
▼ The comedian’s fondness for pulling funny faces needs little translation.
After applying her makeup, Watanabe concludes the clip by pulling a few sexy poses, swinging her hair about and then shimmying out the door, off to make audiences laugh with her expressive facial expressions.
With her Vogue beauty video racking up close to a million views in just one week, it’s clear that audiences around the world can’t get enough of Japan’s Beyoncé. Maybe there’s a chance Hollywood will come calling next, hot on the heels of Watanabe’s appearance in this spellbinding Ghostbusters promotional music video.
Source, images: YouTube/Vogue
[ Read in Japanese ]






Naomi Watanabe slays Lady Gaga in “Rain On Me” parody video
Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe has a livestream YouTube channel, and fans are living for it
Naomi Watanabe sports Adidas stripes in her hair to celebrate becoming brand ambassador
Naomi Watanabe melts fans’ hearts with her Doraemon cosplay【Photos】
“Japanese Beyoncé” Naomi Watanabe is now a model for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collection
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Naomi Watanabe responds to “Olympig” remark from Tokyo Olympics ceremony chief
James Corden joins comedian Naomi Watanabe, John Legend, others for hilarious SK-II commercials
Fashionista comedian Naomi Watanabe becomes Kate Spade’s first Japanese brand ambassador
Naomi Watanabe models new Sailor Moon plus-size clothing range in Japan 【Photos】
Plus-sized Naomi Watanabe is Japanese netizens’ latest fashion inspiration
Korean makeup artist transforms herself into Taylor Swift in mind-blowing makeup tutorial 【Video】
Tokyo Olympics ceremony chief quits after suggesting Naomi Watanabe dress as an “Olympig”
Naomi Watanabe’s New York food budget leaves TV co-stars and netizens stunned
Eye-opening tutorial reveals daily makeup routine of a Japanese kuro-gyaru【Video】
Fashion icon Naomi Watanabe has a reassuring anecdote for Japanese people in the U.S.
Naomi Watanabe cosplays as Sailor Moon as she joins voice cast of anime franchise
Japanese makeup tutorial shows how a middle-aged man can turn into a beautiful young woman
Instagram queen Naomi Watanabe’s latest post uses trick art to turn herself into sushi
The power of makeup shows a daring transformation【Video】
Finger Dance Makeup: Shiseido reveals the history of Japanese makeup through finger dance【Video】