Risa Junna (純名りさ, Junna Risa, born March 15, 1971) is a Japanese actress, singer, and voice actress. She was part of Takarazuka Revue's Snow Troupe and Flower Troupe. During her time in the Revue, she specialized in female roles (musumeyaku). She was the musumeyaku top star from 1995 to 1996.
Career
Junna was born on March 15, 1971, in Minoh, Osaka, and grew up in the nearby Toyonaka.[1] Her parents were both junior high school teachers. Her father taught English and her mother taught physical education.[1]
In March 1988, she passed the audition for Takarazuka Music School and subsequently entered the school.[2] She trained for two years and graduated at the top of her class. She joined the Takarazuka Revue in 1990.[3] Her first stage was in Flower Troupe's The Rose of Versailles: Fersen. Due to her singing ability, she was chosen to be the etoile (the singer in the last scene).[1] From then on she was part of the Snow Troupe.
In 1994, following encouragement from the troupe, she auditioned and was chosen to star in NHK's 51st asadoraPiano.[4] She took one year off from the revue for the drama. After returning in 1995, she transferred to the Flower Troupe. She made her top musumeyaku debut that same year, starring alongside Miki Maya in East of Eden/Dandyism! Her final stage was How to Succeed in 1996.[1] Since her retirement, she has had success as an actress in television, film, and commercials.
