Ryuchell (1995-2023) was a Japanese model, singer, and activist. Ryuchell was an LGBTQ influencer. In 2023, Ryuchell was found dead at the agent’s office in Tokyo, Japan.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Ryuchell was born as Ryuji Higa [1]Nikkan Sports on Friday, 29 September 1995 (age 27 years; at the time of death) in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Ryuchell’s zodiac sign is Libra. Ryuchell studied at Okinawa Prefectural Ginowan Junior High School and Kitanakagusuku High School in Okinawa.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Extra Light Ash Blonde (dyed)
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Ryuchell has an elder sister named Chiharu Higa, who is a singer.
Ryuchell’s sister Chiharu Higa
Wife & Children
On 31 December 2016, Ryuchell got married to Peco, a model, TV personality, and singer. In July 2018, the couple was blessed with a son named Link.
Ryuchell with wife Peco and son Link
In 2022, they divorced each other. On 25 August 2022, Ryuchell made an announcement through Instagram that they no longer identified as a husband within their marriage to Peco. They expressed that this identity had been burdensome and announced their preference to be seen as a “life partner” and “parent” to Peco and their son instead. Ryuchell and Peco’s agencies confirmed their divorce, however; initially, they denied that the couple was living separately. [2]Hochi News
Relationships/Affairs
Ryuchell met Peco at the age of 18. According to Ryuchell, Peco was the first woman Ryuchell had a relationship with. [3]Very
Sexual Orientation
Ryuchell played a significant role in shaping the genderless fashion subculture in Japan by embracing and promoting androgynous and colourful clothing styles. [4]The New York Times Ryuchell became an influential LGBT figure in mainstream Japanese media by regularly appearing on variety shows and participating in LGBT-themed events in Japan. [5]Nippon TV As their fame increased, Ryuchell faced frequent negative harassment campaigns on Japanese social media. These campaigns primarily targeted their personal life and their expression of gender nonconformity. [6]Nikkan Gendai In September 2022, in an interview with a Japanese magazine, Ryuchell and Peco talked about their marriage and Ryuchell’s sexual orientation. Ryuchell said,
By falling in love with a woman, I was able to imagine a life that was completely different from what I had imagined, and I was taught joys that I didn’t know. And then I got married and had a son, and I started appearing on TV and getting everyone’s attention. At some point, I began to suffer from the difference between the “ideal man” and “ideal husband” that people imagined and the real me. When I got married, I decided to take the truth about my sexuality to the grave. I’m getting tired of it. I don’t have a place where I can express myself while sending out the message of living in my own way and valuing my feelings. I couldn’t show my true self at home, which was supposed to be the most comfortable place, and I thought I had to be the ideal husband, and it was really painful. But above all, I hate myself for thinking it’s hard. I wonder why I can’t win against my true self even though I have such happiness in front of me, and why I was born like this.” [7]Very
After the divorce, Ryuchell actively supported the LGBT community and participated in various Japanese talk shows to promote LGBT rights in the country. They also played a key role in organizing Tokyo Rainbow Pride events since 2018. [8]Nikkan Sports In the last months before their passing, Ryuchell started to express themself as a female. [9]Yahoo! News Ryuchell had also shown support for transgender individuals by holding the transgender flag and making statements; however, they never publicly declared their own transgender identity.
Career
Stage
In 2015, Ryuchell gave a stage performance titled ‘Arikanashika.’
Singer
In 2018, Ryuchell debuted as a singer with the song ‘Hands Up!! If you’re Awesome.’ On 10 April 2019, Ryuchell released their debut Japanese music album titled ‘Super Candy Boy.’
Poster of the 2019 Japanese album ‘Super Candy Boy’
Television
Ryuchell appeared in Fuji TV’s game show ‘Peke Pon’ (2007) and TV series ‘Yasashii Hito Nara Tokeru Quiz Yasashii Ne’ (2015).
Film
In 2019, she worked as a voiceover artist for the popular Japanese animated film ‘Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane ~The Lost Hiroshi~.’
Poster of the 2019 Japanese animated film ‘Crayon Shin-chan – Honeymoon Hurricane (The Lost Hiroshi)’
Death
On 12 July 2023, Ryuchell’s manager found them unconscious at the office of a talent agency in the Sasazuka district of Shibuya in Tokyo. [10]The Mainichi After a while, Ryuchell was declared dead. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Ryuchell died after committing suicide at the age of 27. [11]Nippon TV News [12]Nikkan Sports
Tattoos
Ryuchell got Peco’s real name, Tetsuko, with a heart inked on their right arm.
Ryuchell’s tattoo on their right arm
Ryuchell got their son’s name, Link, with a smiley inked on their left arm.
Ryuchell’s tattoo on their left arm
Facts/Trivia
- In 2016, Ryuchell and Peco were featured in Numero TOKYO fashion magazine.
- In 2017, Ryuchell appeared in an advertisement for Suisai skincare brand.
- Ryuchell followed a non-vegetarian diet.
富山での講演会に足を運んで下さった皆さま、有難う御座いました 😊🙏🏻💭
美味しい海の幸を頂きました…🥹💕 ほっぺたが落ちちゃって転がりましたぁ。。。 pic.twitter.com/5k1o4q0NGU
— ryuchell 🐉💕 (@RYUZi33WORLD929) June 25, 2023
References
