Known across STARTO ENTERTAINMENT for his exceptional athletic ability, B&ZAI’s Rinne Sugeta is often seen as the group’s energetic powerhouse and sun. But in a recent interview and “Ultimate 50 Love Questions” feature with Josei Seven, the 28-year-old offered fans a glimpse of a far more introspective side of himself.
Despite the image many people have of him, Rinne says he’s “surprisingly sensitive.” His brighter-than-the-sun, cheerful personality often leads people to assume he’s simply the sporty type, but he believes there’s much more to him beneath the surface.
That willingness to challenge himself recently led him to his first reading play, THE MOST DISTANT DAY FROM YOU. Having wanted to pursue stage acting for some time, Rinne shared that he had spoken with agency staff about his interest before finally receiving the opportunity, following his latest solo stage role in 漫才ギャング-リローデッド- (Manzai Gang -Reload-) in 2023.
The experience proved to be unlike anything he’d done before.
Without choreography, music, or visual performance to rely on, every emotion had to be carried through words alone. Laughing, Rinne admitted that he sometimes even stumbles over lines during YouTube shoots, making the role feel especially daunting. To prepare, he repeatedly practiced reading the script aloud at home, determined to deliver a performance that would fully immerse the audience.
Looking back on B&ZAI’s first solo concert in May, Rinne’s emotions are equally evident. He describes the experience as “like a dream,” revealing that simply remembering the view from the stage is still enough to bring tears to his eyes.
Perhaps the most striking part of the interview, however, is how his definition of success has evolved.
While debuting once felt like the ultimate destination, Rinne says his priorities have changed. Rather than focusing solely on career milestones, he now hopes to create places where people can simply feel happy. Seeing audiences smile has become more important than dwelling on his own worries, and he wants his performances to leave people feeling encouraged.
That shift feels particularly meaningful for B&ZAI’s current chapter. Instead of measuring success solely by the industry’s traditional milestones, Rinne’s answer suggests he’s begun defining success through the experiences he creates alongside fans.
When asked about the idol he admires most, Rinne named ARASHI without hesitation. Their bond, mutual support, and presence on stage continue to inspire him, and he hopes B&ZAI can become the kind of group that gives fans those same feelings of warmth and trust.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that Rinne cites ARASHI as his ideal. Throughout the interview, his own philosophy mirrors many of the qualities fans have long associated with the legendary group: sincerity, teamwork, and placing the audience’s happiness above personal recognition.
The accompanying photoshoot complements the interview remarkably well. Set against soft natural light, lush greenery, and warm, intimate interiors, the visual concept balances strength with quiet intimacy. Together, they mirror the contrast he describes himself: someone widely recognized for his athleticism, yet surprisingly sensitive beneath that image.
Rinne’s athletic physique—something fans have long associated with him—is naturally highlighted through relaxed sleeveless styling and minimalist wardrobe choices, but never in a way that feels excessive. Instead, it serves as another expression of the discipline and dedication that have always defined him. The result is a collection of photographs that feels unmistakably “Rinne“: confident without arrogance, powerful without needing to prove it, and approachable despite the striking visuals.
The accompanying “Ultimate 50 Love Questions” paints an equally sincere picture of his personality. Rinne describes himself as someone who prefers honest communication in relationships: he would confess his feelings directly, stay in touch every day, and enjoys spoiling his partner. He admits he’s the jealous type but also finds a partner’s jealousy “cute,” believes couples complement each other best when they have opposite personalities, and imagines a future where he happily shares the housework while letting his future wife manage the household finances.
For fans who have followed Rinne over the years, very little of what he says here feels surprising—and that’s precisely what makes the interview so reassuring. Rather than revealing a completely different side of himself, it reinforces the qualities that have consistently defined him: a willingness to work hard, an ability to laugh at himself, and an honesty that rarely feels performative. The Rinne seen in interviews, on stage, and in behind-the-scenes footage has always felt remarkably consistent.
In an era where magazine features often promise to reveal a “new side” of an idol, this one instead highlights something arguably more valuable: consistency. The person speaking about his fears before a reading play is the same person fans have watched tackle SASUKE, throw himself into variety programs, and celebrate his members’ successes with infectious enthusiasm. The interview doesn’t introduce a new Rinne—it reminds readers why the version they’ve always known has earned such lasting trust.
The interview reveals someone whose greatest strength may not simply be his athleticism, but his sincerity—something fans have long admired and fallen in love with, as his grounded outlook on life and dedicated work ethic have always been among his most redeeming and attractive qualities. Whether discussing acting, performing, or relationships, Rinne’s answers reflect someone who values steady effort, open communication, and creating moments that leave people happier than before.
What makes this interview particularly memorable isn’t any single answer, but the consistency between them. Whether he’s talking about acting, his goals as an idol, or even hypothetical relationships, Rinne never tries to present a polished or idealized version of himself. He readily admits his insecurities, laughs at his own shortcomings, and speaks with a quiet sincerity that feels remarkably genuine. Rather than trying to impress, he simply answers honestly—and perhaps that’s exactly what makes him so compelling.
It doesn’t feel like Rinne is trying to convince readers who he is. Instead, he simply answers each question with the same straightforward sincerity that fans have come to recognize over the years.
That’s also what gives his answers their weight. None of them read like carefully crafted “idol responses.” Instead, they echo the person fans have watched for years—the member who throws himself wholeheartedly into every challenge, openly acknowledges where he struggles, and celebrates every opportunity with genuine gratitude. His words don’t redefine who Rinne is; they confirm it.
For longtime fans, it’s easy to see why interviews like this strengthen their admiration. Trust is something that idols build over time, not through grand gestures, but through countless small moments where their words and actions continue to align. Rather than introducing a new side of Rinne, the feature quietly reinforces something longtime fans have known all along: the person cheering on his members, throwing himself into every performance, and working tirelessly behind the scenes is the same person who sits down for this interview.
Reading Rinne’s reflections, it’s hard not to come away with the impression that the earnestness fans see on stage is the same earnestness that guides him behind the scenes. It’s the kind of authenticity that makes supporting an artist feel less like following a celebrity and more like believing in a person.
This spotlight is based on Rinne Sugeta’s interview feature originally published by Josei Seven.
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