INTERVIEW

Sekine: We Cheeky Parade will be holding a live show in New York in October. We started the project to talk with people who play an active role globally! We would like to interview Ebina-san and learn from you today! Nice to meet you. Thank you for your time. 

Ebina: Nice to meet you too. Thank you for having me. 

Sekine: What was the reason you became a dancer?

Ebina: I started dancing seriously when I was 20.  I get this question often so I tell this story. I went to the US when I was brokenhearted and happened to start dancing. I wanted to go to the US because I loved motorcycles since I was little. I wanted to drive on route 66 and wanted to learn speaking English as well. After coming to the US, I started dancing as a hobby.

Sekine: I see! When you look back your past, do you have any experience that you think was important for your career?

Ebina: The fact that I stayed in the countryside when I first went to the US was important. If I started out in the city, there would have been dance studios so I would have been pursuing dance skills. However, because I was in a country area, I met many people, performed in international cultural festivals and learned how to entertain common people. That lead me to my performance style now. The environment was great!

Mizorogi: Your dance style seems to be uniquely created.

Ebina: I think that dance is a part of entertainment. It’s one of the ways to entertain people like singing and jugging. 

Sekine: I see. You perform overseas. Do you notice any differences between Japan and the US?

Ebina: Sometimes, your common sense becomes non-common sense overseas. It’s better to communicate with people with your opinion overseas, because every countries have different cultures. 

Chikipa members: I see!

Ebina: You Chikipa girls are preparing to perform overseas now. What is your goal?

Sekine: We are aiming to be No.1 in the universe! That is our goal and we are aiming to work beyond being idols. The last show of our tour in NY will be the first step.
Mizorogi: We want to introduce what’s fun about pop idols and Japanese culture with the Chikipa way. 

Ebina: I see. Don’t try too hard and just be Chikipa selves no matter where you are. I think the American people will enjoy too if you relax and enjoy the show while acting naturally.  

Nagai: But I get nervous onstage…

Ebina: Why? I never get nervous onstage. Lol
Nagai: Really?

Ebina: Basically, I just have fun onstage. You don’t have to worry about making mistakes! Just believe your experience, what you’ve practiced and have fun. Audiences are looking forward to seeing you guys onstage and they think your mistakes are cute too!

Watanabe: I feel better to hear that! Lol
Mizorogi: Your performance was unforgettable. I was so moved. How do you come up with ideas?

Ebina: I think that each of my skills are not so high. I have a trick that makes it look like I can dance well. For instance, there is a dance move where I drop my head, I stop my head at a position that looks like it is real or magic. I create visuals to make the audience wonder. 

Chikipa members: That is amazing!
Ebina: Do you guys talk with the staff about the stage?

Watanabe: We talked with the staff about the stage structure for the Tokyo show in August.
Ebina: That’s awesome! I think that is how you learn and start to pay attention more and more.

Sekine: Thank you. We will try to learn step by step! Lastly please tell us what is entertainment for you ?

Ebina: Entertainment is fun. I have fun when I am able to perform and make the audience smile. Entertainment is something we can all enjoy beyond language.