Yui Sakurai (櫻井優衣)

Overview

Yui Sakurai (櫻井優衣) is a Japanese idol, singer and model born on February 21, 2000 in Tokyo. She is a member of the idol group FRUITS ZIPPER and is signed to Asobisystem. She is a former member of Pink Babies, MyDearDarlin', BlooDye and momograci. In 2025 she made her solo major debut. Her singles include "ずるい、かわゆい" (October 20, 2024), "キミのことが好きなわたしが好き" (September 19, 2025) and "ぜんぶ可愛いのせい" (February 6, 2026).

Career

On October 20, 2013, Sakurai was introduced at a pre-debut solo live at Shimokitazawa Garden as a member of Pink Babies, a vocal dance unit formed to carry on the songs of Pink Lady. She became a semi-finalist in Miss iD 2017 in 2016 and graduated from Pink Babies on April 9, 2017.

In April 2018 she assisted host Go Yoshida at NARA MINARA IDOL FES, and on July 24, 2018 she released her first solo single "Koi wa Lemon Iro" (恋はレモン色).

In September 2019 a sister group of FES☆TIVE was announced, and MyDearDarlin' formed on January 4, 2020. She announced her graduation in June and left after a July 16 live at Shinjuku BLAZE. She joined BlooDye as a new member on December 4, 2020; the group ended activities with its final live "FUTURE WINGS" at SHIBUYA PLEASURE PLEASURE on March 18, 2022.

On April 17, 2021 she released the solo digital single "僕が君に恋した理由". In August 2021 she became a first-term member of "bis LEADERS," a joint project of the magazine bis and itSnap. In autumn 2021 she joined momograci as a limited-time collaboration member, ending on November 28, and on December 1 her signing with Asobisystem was announced.

On February 22, 2022 she became a member of FRUITS ZIPPER, born from Asobisystem's KAWAII LAB. project, and debuted with the group at a joint birthday event at Ebisu CreAto on April 24. She released her first digital swimsuit photo book on May 2, 2023, and her first photo book, "YUi," on February 20, 2024. By October 2024, a Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka tour for her 10th anniversary project had been held.

On September 6, 2025, she appeared at Tokyo Girls Collection at Saitama Super Arena and announced her solo major debut on Universal Music with "キミのことが好きなわたしが好き." That month she also became an exclusive model for Ray magazine, appearing on her first solo cover in the November issue. On February 18, 2026 she held a solo major debut commemorative live at NHK Hall, and in February 2026 she won the Nail category of Beauty of the Year 2026.

Other activities and style

She has appeared in the TV drama Amaku Takao no Suiri Karte, contributed a song to Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven Groove-era title Miracle Stars stage, and hosted ABEMA's "恋髪オーディション." A Hello! Project fan, she names it as her greatest idol influence. Her hobbies include ramen hunting, fortune-telling, planetarium visits and makeup.

Musical style

Balancing group and solo work, she is rooted in idol pop culture and influenced by Hello! Project. Her solo release titles highlight a cute-focused idol pop appeal.