Naomi Watanabe

Naomi Watanabe is a global phenomenon with a ubiquitous presence across Japan. The multi-hyphenate successfully and simultaneously navigates the multiple facets of her career: comedian, actor, voice actor, model, and fashion icon. Her star is rapidly rising, making her one of the most recognizable entertainers in all of Asia and quickly becoming one-to-watch in North America. Watanabe made her debut as a comedian in Japan in 2007 and quickly gained notoriety through sketch comedy performances, and, most notably, her viral impersonation of Beyoncé, which garnered her the affectionate nickname the “The Japanese Beyoncé.” She has since captivated audiences around the world with her viral performances and hilarious celebrity impressions, showcasing her talents as both a performer and a creator of original comedy. The past few years have been monumental in Watanabe’s career, following a move to New York City. In 2023, she produced and hosted the podcast "Naomi Takes America,” in which she talked with Americans and made jokes and observations about the cultural differences and similarities between Japan and her new home. Later that year, she embarked on a seven-city tour, during which she took the show live, did a short stand-up set, and fielded questions throughout the show. The following year, she returned to stages with “Stand Up with Naomi Watanabe” – a one-night stand-up special at the Gramercy Theater – that sold out within minutes, requiring the venue to add a second performance, which sequentially sold out. Next, Naomi will be lending her voice to Disney/Pixar in the upcoming animated film ELIO and, in June, will be hosting a solo sketch comedy show in Japan. Outside of her comedy, Naomi has used her platform to become one of the most disruptive forces in the fashion and beauty space, by consistently shattering traditional industry standards through global partnerships and ambassadorships with top brands such as Adidas x Ivy Park, Gap, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, and Hugo Boss, and her very own streetwear clothing line, Punyus. Naomi has been honored as one of BBC’s “100 Women” in 2024 and was honored with the “Global Groundbreaker Award” by Character Media at its 22nd Annual Unforgettable Gala. She has also been featured on Netflix’s hit series Queer Eye, in which she and Karamo gave tips on leading confident lives.