Hello! Project New Member Audition - Finalists! (Winner Results on Pg.6 & First Post)

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Hello! Project 2017 New Member Audition


• Announced at the first Hello! Project 2017 SUMMER ~HELLO! MEETING~ concert on July 15, 2017.

Progress
Application Round:
• 2017/07/15 - 2017/08/14 (Submission, due by noon on 8/14.)
• 2017/08/14 - 2017/08/25 (Submissions reviewed, 89 applicants selected for 2nd round screenings.)

Audition Requirements:
• Female between the ages of 9 - 17 (as of July 15, 2017)
• Must not be under contract with other entertainment agencies or organizations.
• Must have permission from a legal guardian if underage.
• Girls that love and/or are confident in singing and dancing, or that love Hello! Project, should apply.
• Applicants do not have to live in Tokyo, but only those able to attend lessons in Tokyo will be eligible to pass the audition.

Info:
• Winners may be added to Morning Musume, ANGERME, Juice=Juice, Kobushi Factory, Tsubaki Factory, a new group, or may join the Engeki Joshibu Theater Club.
http://helloproject-newfaceaudition.com/
http://www.helloproject.com/news/7362/

Results

Spoiler: show

• No girls passed. Offers to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei were extended to all finalists, pending discussions with their parents.
• Seven of the eight finalists accepted the chance to join the training program. Kodama Mai is the only finalist that refused.

Finalists

Name: Hashimoto Momoko (橋本桃呼; はしもとももこ)
School Year: 2nd Year Middle School
From: Yamaguchi Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Inoue Rei (Kobushi Factory)
Audition Number: #176
• Auditioned for Hello! Project (and others) because she wants to get into show business. She kept failing auditions but never gave up and kept trying.
• Her older sister was a fan of S/mileage, and she learned about Hello! Project through her, but she didn't become a fan herself until relatively recently when she discovered Kobushi Factory.
(Thanks @ainogundan)
• Was one of the first three finalists to accept the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei, alongisde Tamenaga Shion and Gotou Sayaka (pending confirmation).


Name: Shuttou Anna (出頭杏奈; しゅっとうあんな)
School Year: 1st Year Middle School
From: Chiba Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Okai Chisato (°C-ute OG), Yokoyama Reina (Morning Musume)
Audition Number: #126
Misc.:
• Former child model.
• Likes the Morning Musume songs "Jealousy Jealousy", "Renai Revolution 21", and "LOVE Machine".
• Wants to join Morning Musume or a new group as the ace.
• Accepted the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei.


Name: Kubota Nanami (窪田七海; くぼたななみ)
School Year: 1st Year Middle School
Birthday: July 23, 2004
From: Chiba Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Sato Masaki (Morning Musume), Michishige Sayumi (Morning Musume OG)
Audition Number: #124
Misc.:
• Former member of indie groups Onigokko (Onigo Musume; おにごっ娘) and Negaigoto (ねがいごと) under the stage name Ichikawa Nana (市川奈々).
• During the first episode she stated that she think she could be like her admired former Morning Musume member Michishige Sayumi, because she's cute / has a cute character like her.
• Likes to dance in front of the mirror and do her hair and makeup.
• Accepted the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei.


Name: Kanemitsu Ruru (金光留々; かねみつるる)
School Year: 6th Year Elementary
From: Tokyo
Favorite/Looks Up To: Makino Maria (Morning Musume)
Audition Number: #107
Misc.:
• Previously auditioned for Morning Musume, but was unsuccessful twice in a row.
• Was a stage musical actress; stated that she wants to move from musicals into becoming an idol.
• Owns a lot of Morning Musume goods.
• Wants to meet 12th generation Morning Musume member Makino Maria.
• Became a fan of Morning Musume after her sister introduced her to the 2012 Hello! Project drama "Suugaku Joshi Gakuen", and she saw the cute Michishige Sayumi.
• Her dream is to join Morning Musume.
• Accepted the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei.


Name: Gotou Sayaka (後藤咲香; ごとうさやか)
School Year: 2nd Year Middle School
From: Oita Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Makino Maria (Morning Musume), Sayashi Riho (Morning Musume OG)
Audition Number: #174
Misc.:
• Former member of indie idol group SPATIO. Graduated November 3, 2017.
• Was one of the first three finalists to accept the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei, alongisde Tamenaga Shion and Hashimoto Momoko (pending confirmation).


Name: Tamenaga Shion (為永幸音; ためながしおん)
School Year: 2nd Year Middle School
From: Nagano Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Kudo Haruka (Morning Musume), Sayashi Riho (Morning Musume OG), Makino Maria (Morning Musume)?
Audition Number: #113
Misc.:
• Made it to the third round of the Morning Musume '16 Shinseiki Audition in 2016.
• Former member of indie idol groups:
- Beam Idol School (ビームアイドルスクール), wehre she graduated November 22, 2015.
- ☆ARION☆, group disbanded December 31, 2016.
- Former local idol; suspended activities on October 31, 2017.
• Cast in the 2014 film "Suguru hi no Yamaneko" as Tokiko.
• Twiter
• Blog
• Was one of the first three finalists to accept the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei, alongisde Hashimoto Momoko and Gotou Sayaka (pending confirmation).


Name: Kodama Mai (児玉麻衣; こだままい)
School Year: 3rd Year Middle School
From: Chiba Prefecture
Favorite/Looks Up To: Sayashi Riho (Morning Musume OG), Sato Masaki (Morning Musume)
Audition Number: #180
Misc.:
• Was a finalist in the Morning Musume '16 Shinseiki Audition Saiboshuu in 2016; failed and refused an offer to join Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
• Was the only finalist to decline the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei, making it her second time to do so.
• Returned to life as a student to focus on her High School entrance exams; she previously ranked 4th among 120 students at her school.


Name: Matsubara Yuriya (松原ユリヤ; まつばらゆりや)
School Year: 4th Grade Elementary
From: Tokyo
Favorite/Looks Up To: Sasaki Rikako (ANGERME)
Audition Number: #103
Misc.:
• Is half Japanese / half Belarusian.
• Originally presented herself as not knowing or particularly liking anything about Hello! Project, but later revealed Sasaki Rikako as a member she likes.
• Draws and writes her own manga.
• Accepted the offer to join the Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
• Thinks Mitsubachi sensei (audition dance instructor, Kenshuusei instructor) is scary, but she'll try to properly face her.
• Is the youngest Hello Pro Kenshuusei member as of December 2017.

Misc:
• A new show announced! To commemorate Hello! Project's 20th anniversary the new member audition will be featured in a regular show on the web service AbemaTV. Cameras will follow the audition process fot the first time in nearly 7 years, and additional bonus/unpublished footage will be uploaded to the AbemaTV website. A select cast of current and OG Hello! Project members will watch and discuss the auditions in the studio, and share their own audition stories. The press release notes the many possibilities, such as several girls passing the audition or nobody passing.

Title: Shoujo-tachi no Ketsudan ~Mitchaku!! Hello! Project 20th Anniversary Audition~ (少女たちの決断〜密着!!ハロー!プロジェクト20周年オーディション〜)
Starting Date: November 13, 2017
Airing Times:
- Episode 1 (11/13, 9pm-10pm stream SP)
- Episode 2 (11/20, 10:30pm-11pm stream)
- Episode 3 (11/20, 11pm, Abema upload)
- Episode 4 (11/27, 10:30pm-11pm stream)
- Episode 5 (11/27, 11pm, Abema upload)
- Episode 6 (12/4, 10:30pm-11pm stream)
- Episode 7 (12/4, 11pm, Abema upload)
- Episode 8 (12/11, 10:30pm-11pm stream SP)
- Episode 9 (12/11, 11pm, Abema upload)
- Episode 10 (12/18, 10pm-11pm stream SP)

Where: AbemaTV Special
Cast:
Episode 1 SP:
- Yasuda Kei (OG; 2nd Generation Morning Musume)
- Yaguchi Mari (OG; 2nd Generation Morning Musume & Leader)
- Kumai Yurina (OG; Berryz Kobo)
- Wada Ayaka (ANGERME Leader, Hello! Project Leader)
- Kanazawa Tomoko (Juice=Juice Sub-Leader)
- Takagi Sayuki (Juice=Juice)
- Michishige Sayumi (OG; 6th Generation Morning Musume & Leader; Narrator Eps. 1-3)
- Hello! Project Future Member Candidates

Episodes 2 & 3:
- Yaguchi Mari (OG; 2nd Generation Morning Musume & Leader)
- Yoshizawa Hitomi (OG; 4th Generation Morning Musume & Leader)
- Yajima Maimi (OG; °C-ute Leader, Hello! Project Leader)
- Wada Ayaka (ANGERME Leader, Hello! Project Leader)
- Kanazawa Tomoko (Juice=Juice Sub-Leader)
- Takagi Sayuki (Juice=Juice)
- Michishige Sayumi (OG; 6th Generation Morning Musume & Leader; Narrator Eps. 1-3)
- Hello! Project Future Member Candidates

Episodes 4 - 7:
- Takahashi Ai (OG; 5th Generation Morning Musume & Leader)
- Tanaka Reina (OG; 6th Generation Morning Musume)
- Okai Chisato (OG; °C-ute)
- Yamaki Risa (Country Girls)
- Hirose Ayaka (Kobushi Factory Leader)
- Hamaura Ayano (Kobushi Factory)
- Mano Erina (OG; Soloist; Narrator Eps. 4-7)
- Hello! Project Future Member Candidates

Episodes 8 & 9:
- Fukumura Mizuki (9th Generation Morning Musume)
- Kanazawa Tomoko (Juice Juice Sub-Leader)
- Takagi Sayuki (Juice=Juice)
- Uemura Akari (Juice=Juice)
- Danbara Ruru (Juice=Juice)
- Yanagawa Nanami (Juice=Juice, Country Girls)
- Hibi Marina (Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Eguchi Saya (Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Doi Rena (Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Okamura Minami (Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Matsunaga Riai (Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Nonaka Miki (12th Generation Morning Musume; Narrator Eps. 8-9)
- Hello! Project Future Kenshuusei (Member) Candidates

Episode 10 SP:
- Yoshizawa Hitomi (OG; 4th Generation Morning Musume & Leader)
- Shimizu Saki (OG; Berryz Kobo Captain)
- Okai Chisato (OG; °C-ute)
- Yamaki Risa (Country Girls)
- Ozeki Mai (Country Girls)
- Nakajima Saki (OG; °C-ute; Narrator Ep. 10)
- Kubota Nanami (Audition Finalist, Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Shuttou Anna (Audition Finalist, Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Kanemitsu Ruru (Audition Finalist, Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Matsubara Yuriya (Audition Finalist, Hello Pro Kenshuusei)
- Hello Pro Kenshuusei

Announcement : Hello! Project 2018 New Member Auditions, ages 9~17

• Setlist

[Amped]

official announcement

Thank You for supporting Hello! Project
in 2018, Hello! Project celebrates its 20th anniversary.
For the 20th anniversary, we are looking for new members to join Hello! Project.

It could be YOU in : Morning Musume. '18 / Angerme / Juice=Juice / Kobushi / Tsubaki / A New Group / or You may be a new member of the Women's Drama theater (Engeki Joshibu) !!

You have to be confident in singing and dancing, You have to love singing and dancing,
and love Hello! Project, please apply by all means.

Any single woman from 9 to 17 years old can apply.
However, please note only those who can attend lessons in Tokyo will be eligible.

【Entry Period】 July 15 (Sat) - August 14 (Monday)
WEB: 12: 00 (Midday) Application deadline Mail: 14 days must arrive

For details of the application guidelines, please visit the audition special website.

http://www.helloproject.com/news/7362/

official site
http://helloproject-newfaceaudition.com/

This audition could possibly find new members for Ichioka Reina's group

[Nayoko-Kihara]

I'm definitely expecting at least one of the winners to end up in her group, if not all of them (depending on numbers). I'm wondering if we'll end up with two new groups (Takase and Kiyono in one?), though that doesn't seem very likely at all.

I'm at least somewhat confident in betting on a new batch of Kenshuusei coming from this.

[JonCC]

http://helloproject-newfaceaudition.com/

Looks like it's really a general, free for all "you may be added to any group or project" kind of audition.

I'm excited: Trainees are the lifeblood of H!P right now, but actual 'new' or 'unknown' girls being added is always fun.

[Shabranikuduu]

Oh wow, I was not expecting a new audition. I'm actually pretty excited! I just hope they'll actually pick someone at the end of it instead of starting a 2nd audition.

[Shoujo Q]

Considering past auditions were really limited. Picking a girl for 1 group and maybe KSS, this is open to everything. So I'm sure they'll find a few girls and be able to pick and chose where they end up.

I think it's better this way. So in a sense you wont be stuck with a Sakura/Moe situation. This girl is great, but not for this group an hope they stick around for KSS or resubmit an audition application if they don't.

[Nayoko-Kihara]

Looks like it's really a general, free for all "you may be added to any group or project" kind of audition.

Any group except Country Girls (which makes sense). I only noticed today that they're not mentioned alongside the other groups as a possibility in the news announcement.

[JonCC]

I do hope that Ichioka's new group members won't come entirely from this audition.
That would mean waiting half a year to get that group up and running.

[Starra]

Nice. I love the KSS, but I do prefer outside auditions sometimes.

Hope we get some promising girls out of this and it's more than just 1-2 new members.

[AyuHikaru]

I'm pretty glad they decided to still do open auditions. Was getting kinda sad it was going the way of the Trainees (not that I don't like the Trainees, it's a smart move, but I also like the tradition of idols off the street).