is a Japanese television personality, actress, and radio personality. She is a former member and captain of girl group Sakurazaka46 (formerly Keyakizaka46). Her background in competitive equestrianism forms a major part of her public persona.
Sugai was born on November 29, 1995, in Tokyo, Japan. As a child, she had 11 years of ballet experience. She started horseback riding in 5th grade and won numerous awards in various junior national competitions, particularly in dressage.
The table below lists Sugai's top three finishes in equestrian competitions recognized by the Japan Equestrian Federation.
On August 21, 2015, Sugai along with 22 other members were introduced as members of a new girl group under Sony Music Entertainment Japan named Toriizaka46, renamed shortly after into Keyakizaka46 and again into Sakurazaka46 in 2020. Her nicknames include and , the latter referring to her persona, which was heavily influenced by her horseback riding experience.
Sugai made her musical debut with Keyakizaka46's first single, Silent Majority. As of February 2019, she has participated in all eight of Keyakizaka46's singles. She is also part of the subgroup along with Risa Watanabe, Akane Moriya, Manaka Shida, and Rika Watanabe. As part of the subunit, Sugai made center appearances in three songs: "Aozora Chigau" in "Sekai ni wa Ai Shika Nai", "Wareta Sumaho" in "Fukyà Âwaon, and "Namiuchigiwa o Hashiranai ka?" in "Kaze ni Fukarete mo". Additionally, Sugai made two song appearances as part of Sakamichi AKB (Ã¥ÂÂéÂÂAKB), a group made of various AKB48 and Sakamichi members. She will also be included in Sakamichi AKB's next song.
Sugai was named the captain of Keyakizaka46 on January 21, 2017, with Akane Moriya as vice captain. She also became the Special Ambassador for the the same year in order to broaden the appeal of the sport, and held the position until the end of 2021.
On April 11, 2018, Kodansha announced that they will be publishing a photo-book featuring Sugai that was photographed in Paris. She became the fourth member in Keyakizaka46 to have a photobook, after Neru Nagahama, Yui Imaizumi, and Rika Watanabe. The photo-book, titled Fiancé (ãÂÂã£ã¢ã³ã»), was the bestselling photo-book in Japan for three weeks in a row.
On August 22, 2022, Sugai announced that she would be leaving Sakurazaka46 after the Tokyo Dome performances on November 8 and 9, the final leg of the national tour that would begin in September that year. Second generation member Rina Matsuda succeeded her as captain.
Sugai's first post-Sakurazaka46 activity was an acting role in the stage play ', which ran from January 28 to February 19, 2023.
On February 12, 2023, Sugai both launched her official website and was announced as a host for the horseback racing program Keiba Beat. Her first self-titled radio program, , started airing on March 30.
On November 15, 2023, it was announced that Sugai would play the lead role of Itsuki Harumoto in the upcoming drama Chaser Game W Pawahara JÃ Âshi wa Watashi no Moto-Kano (Chaser Game W: My Evil Boss is My Ex-Girlfriend).
On November 29, 2023, her 28th birthday, Sugai announced via Instagram her transfer to the talent agency Top Coat.
Sugai announced in March 2018 that she had graduated from university. She was a member and then manager of the equestrian club.