* Name: Tegoshi Yuya (手越祐也
* Nickname: Tesshi (his bandmates used it when he was younger), Tegonyan (a cute way to call himself), Ero-prince (given to him at ItteQ).
* Birthday: 1987.11.11
* Blood Type: B
* Zodiac sign: Scorpio
* Birthplace: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
* Education: Horikoshi Gakuen, Waseda University (Human Sciences)
* Siblings: None
* Height: ~168 cm
* Weight: ~55kg
* Band colour: Pink
A lot MORE
Childhood
Tegoshi was born and grew up on the outskirts of Yokohama. He said that his mother really wanted a daughter and apparently the doctor said she will be having a girl but she was in for a surprise. Yet while he was little she often made him wear skirts at home and let his hair grow long. I would have thought that's something people would never reveal outside of their shriks' office but Yuya seems to have no problem talking about it.
Despite what he may have looked like his personality could hardly be more boyish. At least that's what he says. At age 4 Tegoshi began playing soccer and it became his main passion. Since young age he was very energetic and playful and as he claimed himself his mother got many complaints from the teacher because little Yuya was often fighting with the boys and lifting girl's skirts up and kissing them without consent. Maybe that's partly why his middle and high school were boys-only. He also says in elementary school he loved stuffed toys and such, slept with them and took them with him for walks. He believed they were alive and he talked to them. That continued until grade 6.
Entering JE and NEWS
Initially dreaming to become a soccer player Tegoshi changed his mind deciding to enter the showbiz after seeing how cool Kimura Takuya was in dramas. One of his friends' mother has been telling him he's got a "Johnnys face" since elementary school and he got great scores at karaoke so he was confident he could make it and he did. Tegoshi came to the agency pretty late but he stood out because of his great vocal skills and was able to debut in less than a year which was very rare. He was originally supposed to debut with Masuda Takahisa but they both became a part of NEWS so their own debut had to wait another 3 years.
However, Tegoshi was still unsatisfied squished in a band with 8 people and unable to show his full potential. The first year was the hardest, he lacked dancing skills and Moriuchi whom he befriended left the band. So at that point he was thinking of leaving. But he hated to be a quitter so he tried harder. Koyama took him under his wing, other members supported him too and somehow he got through it.
While the band was on hiatus he wasted no time and along with Masuda debuted as Tegomass. Though considered a sub-unit Tegomass is highly acclaimed for their good vocal skills and high quality of music.
When Tegoshi entered the agency he looked like an average kid, woke tracksuits and did know how to style his hair. But he was a fast learner and when NEWS returned in 2007 all of a sudden he was well-dressed and criminally pretty. He also became the band's lead vocalist and since he was now the youngest he was spoiled rotten by some of the older members. Fuelled by drama appearances and TV shows his popularity was on the rise.
Magical transformation: new teeth, new hair, a few years... and voila!
He soon developed an unhealthy infatuation with skull patterns and accessories. Combined with his his love for leopard-print and bright pink it resulted in some very questionable outfits. But I guess when you're this pretty anything works.
Not only was he now the lead vocalist. He was also great at motivating people and though he was the youngest he soon ended up being the one making motivational speeches before concerts. Despite having great vocal skills Tegoshi never seemed to be interested in a solo career. I guess he's a team player after all.
But Tegoshi's full potential was revealed when the band faced a crisis in 2011. Other members agree it was his strength and will to go forward that helped them to get back on their feet. Koyama says that Tegoshi is a backstage leader, encouraging both members and staff.
Career&Hobbies
Tegoshi is a great vocalist but he can also play guitar and he does it sometimes at concerts. He also composed some of the music and lyrics to NEWS and Tegomass songs. Apart from singing in his two bands Tegoshi does his fair share of acting too. Though he usually plays supportive roles I think he's pretty good at it.
While Tegoshi took part in several TV shows he is best known for his participation in ItteQ. Basically it's a really great show where the cast travel all around the world, show amazing things and do amazing things. It suits him perfectly and showcases his talents. Since he was doing so well he got his own corner "Entertainer Tegoshi" is which he travels to different countries and learns new unusual skills in a limited time. Tegoshi's ability to learn combined with amazing determination and the desire to continuously challenge himself make it seem that nothing is impossible for him.
He might seem like a very brave person but he's actually easily scared. Haunted houses and insects are his worst enemies.
Bungee-jumping from a helicopter: I can do that!
Touching worms: No way!
The only thing Tegoshi absolutely sucks at is drawing. Not that he would ever admit it. His works are so bad he actually has his own corner in one of the magazines where he draws portraits of different guys from his agency.
Tegoshi is very athletic and good at many sports but soccer remains his biggest passion. He loves it so much other members worry that it might be more important to him than the band. He plays whenever he has free time and is friends with some J-League players. He always plays as a forward. He says that for awhile in school he was a goalkeeper but he realized that with his personality he couldn't be in defence, he needed to attack. He is also one of the hosts at the show called Soccer Earth which allows him to travel the world and interview his favourite players. The last two years he was also Japan's main newscaster for FIFA World Cup.
Tegoshi's other interesting hobby is crossdressing. The first time he did it (voluntarily that is) was at a winter tour in 2009. He dressed as Santa girl for the Christmas concert and also as a schoolgirl while participating in other members' song. After that he began to do it regularly at concerts, dramas and TV shows and every time he got better at it. And it's not just about looks, he tries to act like a girl too and he's got it down to an art. He says he does it because fans like it but it's obvious he really enjoys it. I bet his mother is very happy about it too.
Tegoshi does everything to please his fans which he calls "kittens". He's a professional when it comes to posing for the camera, saying mushy things onstage and doing all kinds of fanservice. That includes doing things with his bandmates. Now the people who like to ship have their own preferred pairings. I have mine too. But I think that in case of Tegoshi every pairing is perfectly legit because he flirts with all the members and does it gladly. Whether they cooperate or not.
Actually, Tegoshi is good friends with all the NEWS members. He doesn't really keep in touch with anyone else in the agency though. Instead he hangs out with older musicians such as L'Arc~en~Ciel's Hyde.
Currently Tegoshi lives with his pet dog Skull, a toy poodle which he bought in 2010. He alternates between NEWS and Tegomass. He is a part of the permanent cast of ItteQ and Soccer Earth. Along with Masuda has a radio show, Tegomass Radio.
Personality
Asked about Tegoshi other band members basically agree that he's a harmless egoist. He often causes minor stress for people around him but he's actually nice.
Tegoshi doesn't like formalities and neglects the social hierarchy speaking informally even to his seniors. Though the youngest and the least experienced out of the 4 he uses nicknames for all the other members. But while they admit that he might be a little rude and disrespectful it also helps to lessen the distance in relationships. His fellow members often have complaints about him being too noisy, showing off too much, making others pay for him, walking backstage nearly naked and many more. But whenever they scold him you can tell they actually love him the way he is. He is also well-known for his pranks which are so childish and ridiculous nobody can really stay mad at him. After all, that's just his way of showing affection.
Tegoshi is amazingly self-confident and never doubts his own abilities. He may come across as arrogant but the truth is he is really capable and hard-working. Tegoshi is also known for being very outspoken and frank. He often says things without worrying what people might think of him which gets him both a lot of admirers and a lot of haters. Despite this Tegoshi claims he is actually quite shy in private but once the camera starts rolling he turns into an idol and there is no more place for hesitation. He is insanely competitive and would do anything is someone dares him to.
Tegoshi admits that though he loves dogs his own personality is very much like a cat's. Which seems to be true since he looks cute and cuddly, but he does what he wants and likes to cause mischief.
Strong-willed, energetic, outgoing, cute, stubborn, playful, hardworking, mischievous, perfectionist, flirty, egoist, shy, pretentious, adventurous, ambitious... these are just some of things that come to mind when I think about the guy. But they are just words and can't even begin to describe the complexity of human nature. Yet, I hope my little discourse gave some insight regarding this strange and amazing human being called Tegoshi Yuya.