Los Angeles, California – Anna Sawai, the breakout star of the FX series “Shogun,” recently shared her journey to stardom in a revealing podcast interview. The 31-year-old former J-Pop singer disclosed that she was once denied an audition for a dream role in the 2016 film “Suicide Squad” due to restrictions imposed by the girl group she belonged to at the time.
Sawai, who was signed by Avex, a major entertainment company in Japan in 2006, explained that her love for acting blossomed after playing a role in the 2009 film “Ninja Assassin.” Despite being promised acting opportunities while in a girl group called FAKY, she was ultimately restricted from pursuing acting gigs outside of the group.
The turning point came when a significant audition for “Suicide Squad” arose, and Sawai, eager to seize the opportunity, was met with resistance from her management. Despite the setback, she holds no ill feelings towards Karen Fukuhara, who ultimately landed the role she yearned for, acknowledging Fukuhara’s talent and expressing a desire to have auditioned for the part.
“Shogun,” the series that propelled Sawai to fame, recently aired its finale, leaving the actress with bittersweet emotions as she bid farewell to the show. In a poignant moment, Sawai reflected on watching the final episode alone in her hotel room, likening it to saying goodbye to a child heading off to college.
For further insights into Sawai’s journey in “Shogun,” as well as her upcoming projects like “F9” and “Pachinko,” listeners can tune in to the latest episode of the “Awards Chatter” podcast. Sawai’s candid revelations about her career challenges and triumphs offer a glimpse into the realities of pursuing a dream in the competitive entertainment industry.