
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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Skip Tsukiji sushi?!? This seafood-stock ramen restaurant is a great reason to do just that
Osaka teen arrested for hacking into Internet cafe’s app to steal data, was helped by Chat-GPT
Real-world Koraidon and Miraidon Pokémon are ready for their close-ups【Photos】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
National Geographic names Yamagata Prefecture on its “Best of the World 2026” travel destinations
Here are the top ten foodie factory tours for the fall throughout Japan
Top Secret Cookie Recipe Finally Comes to Light
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
You can now buy a Japanese train station clock in Japan
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
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】
Leave a Reply