Japanese pop singer Ado, who’s drawn a huge international following with her unique singing style, revealed in a series of Twitter posts that she’s been living in the United States for a bit and trying to improve her English. Sadly, she reports, it hasn’t been going as well as she’d hoped.
In a post on her X account (@ado1024imokenp), the singer wrote in both English and Japanese, “I have been in the US since November, after all this time. But I still can’t speak. What on earth am I doing here?”
In a post on the same thread, she wrote, “But my listening is better than before and I can shop alone. Maybe [upturned eyes emoji]”
Later, solely in Japanese, she wrote, “Sorry, I’ve been using a translation app. And it’s a short stay, I’ll be going back to Japan. (Why did I come here?) I can finally go shopping or go to a cafe. Just basic day to day stuff.”
“Bring a gurakoro, please”
Ado’s also been cracking jokes about her stay in the States and what she misses about Japan. When McDonald’s Japan posted about its collaboration with the star on its in-store Music Value program, she tweeted, “Please bring a gurakoro to America” – a reference to a Japan-only McDonald’s burger that consists of a gratin croquette in a bun.
The star also teased her fans that she would like to do a livestream in her second language at some point. “Maybe I’ll do a live stream where I speak only English. I have make a script! (I can’t speak without a script!)”
Ado made her debut as a singer on the popular Japanese video site Niconico and made her professional debut in 2020. Her early hit, “Usseewa” (“STFU”), caused many fainting spells among adults for being “too violent.”
Drawing her performance name from one of the characters in a kyogen play (a comic relief bit between acts of a Noh play), Ado has gone to great lengths to protect her privacy and prevent the commercialization of her image. Earlier this year, she went viral with her plan to have a meet and greet – a traditional handshake event – with her fans to promote her second album. However, to protect her privacy, fans had to shake her hand through a box while she stood in an isolated room.
Earlier this year, Ado appeared on renowned interviewer Kuroyanagai Tetsuko’s show to talk about her life and career, speaking remotely through a TV projecting her illustrated image. It was the first time Kuroyanagi had ever done a “virtual” interview in over 12,000 episodes.
Ado’s developed a worldwide following, leading a resurgence in J-Pop spearheaded by her and groups such as Yoasobi and Atarashii Gakko Leaders!. In 2025, she’ll embark on a world tour that will take her through Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America.
In keeping with the star’s desire for privacy, she performs her concerts from a device known as the “Ado Box.” The singer’s official website warns that the concert promoters will “turn off” the box if anyone in the audience is caught recording or taking photos.
How to actually improve your English (or Japanese) speaking
As someone in the reverse situation of Ado – an American living in Japan – I hear her pain when it comes to speaking in your second language. Just living in a country doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pick up great speaking skills by osmosis. That’s particularly true if, as in Ado’s case, you’re not in a situation where you have to sink or swim in terms of speaking.
The good news is you can improve your foreign language speaking without moving! Preply connects you with professional language tutors who can help you immerse in your second language from anywhere in the world (affiliate link). I’ve used Preply and similar services (and still do) to improve my own Japanese speaking. Give ’em a try below. (Oh, and send the link to Ado next time you talk to her.)
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Sources
Adoさん、11月からアメリカで生活していることをXで明かす⇒「英語だけのライブ配信をやるかも」に反響. Huffington Post JP
グラコロ. Wikipedia JP
