Honda Hitomi (本田仁美) or known by her stage name, Hitomi (히토미), is a Japanese singer, actress under iNKODE, and the leader of the K-Pop girl group SAY MY NAME. She is a former member of the Japanese idol girl group AKB48's Team 8, Team A and a former concurrent member of Team B. She is also known as a former member of IZ*ONE, in which she participated in Produce 48 and finished in 9th place, making her a member of the project group.
History
Pre-Debut
Honda Hitomi was born in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Her family consists of her mother, father, her older sister Erii, her older brother Mitsu and her dog Pome. She is known for having chubby cheeks and was a top student. Even though she has a busy schedule, she studies hard. She is also part of her school's cheerleading team, and even joined a dance team. That love for dancing made her audition in AKB48.
2014: AKB48
Hitomi auditioned for AKB48's Team 8 in 2014 and was accepted into the group at the age of 12, representing Tochigi Prefecture. Coinciding AKB48's 12th anniversary in December 2017, she was given a concurrent position in Team B. She rank 82nd in the World General Election. In 2018, she pariticipated in NO WAY MAN alongside Sakura and Nako which will be there last release before temporarily joining IZ*ONE. This marked Hitomi's AKB48 A-side debut.
2018: Produce 48, Debut as IZ*ONE
On May 11, 2018, Hitomi participated in the reality girl group survival show, Produce 48. Her first grade evaluation is C and became A after being re-evaluated, she shocked the coaches and viewers for her great dancing skills. She became one of the fan favorites because of her refreshing voice and great dancing skills. She was apart of a performance team named Love Potion along with Shiroma Miru, Kim Na Young, Kim Do Ah, and Jang Won Young. She finished the competition in 9th pace with 240,418 votes, debuting as a member of the IZ*ONE project group.
The group officially debuted on October 29, 2018, with the mini album COLOR*IZ and its title track, La Vie en Rose.
2021-2024: Post-IZ*ONE, Graduation from AKB48, Debut as SAY MY NAME
After IZ*ONE disbanded, she returned to AKB48 and had her first release with the group since her return in September 2021 with their 58th single "Nemohamo Rumor". In April 2022, she became the center for their 59th single "Moto Kare desu", and was given a concurrent position in Team A by the end of the month. In October of the same year, she held the center position for the song "Sugar Night" for their 60th single "Hisashiburi no Lip Gloss". She also held the center position for their 61st single "Doushitemo Kimi ga Suki da" in April 2023, and fully transferred to Team A after Team 8's disbandment.
On January 1, 2022, Vernalossom announced that Hitomi's contract with them had ended, and that she would be transferring to DH.
On August 30, 2023, Hitomi announced her graduation from AKB48. Her graduation concert, titled Honda Hitomi Graduation Concert ~Yume to Kibou ni Michita Michi~, was held on January 26, 2024. Then on January 28, her send-off party was held, marking her final theater performance.
In April 2024, her contract with Mama & Son Inc. was terminated.
On September 13, 2024, Hitomi was introduced as a member of SAY MY NAME. The group debuted on October 16, 2024.
Discography
Senbatsu (Participation)
Song Credits
Filmography
Dramas
Reality Shows
Endorsements
- titty&CO. (2020) [1]
- KIRSH (2021)[2]
- ABC Mart x New Balance (2021)
- NOTONE (2021)
- Matomege (2022)
- AbemaTV (2022)
- Ilsoiilso (2022)
- Guangdong Corn Silk Tea (2023)
Radio
- Heat Is On (2018-2019)
- Honda Hitomi no World Get You (2019-2021)
