 |
| Maiko Ito at 60: Actress-Turned-Professor Exposes Dark Side of the Entertainment Industry |
Source: Abema Video. Maiko Ito, a 60-year-old former actress and entrepreneur, has embarked on a new chapter in her illustrious career—becoming a university professor.
Not only has she transitioned into teaching, but she has also bravely opened up about the painful realities of the entertainment industry during her first lecture, revealing the shocking manipulation behind "staged" contests and exploitative behaviour she faced throughout her career.
Ito Maiko, who was once a prominent figure in Japan’s entertainment scene, now teaches a unique course titled "Human Tuning" at the Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation in Tokyo's Sumida Ward.
The course aims to teach students how to realign themselves when life feels off-track—an approach Ito says is inspired by her own personal journey of overcoming adversity.
Her debut in the world of showbiz came when she was crowned the winner of a gravure contest in her teens, but what seemed like a moment of triumph was actually a scripted event.
Ito Maiko revealed that the organisers had already decided the winner and runner-up before the contest even began. Months later, she was informed that she had "won" based on votes, but the experience left her feeling disillusioned with the industry's falseness.
But it wasn’t just about rigged contests. Ito shared harrowing stories of how she was propositioned by powerful figures under the guise of professional meetings, with promises of career advancement in exchange for personal favours.
When she rejected such advances, the jobs vanished. Her reflections were filled with sadness rather than anger, questioning why such things were so rampant in the industry.
Her personal transformation came when she was in her 30s. Ito explained that after changing her name and rejecting society's expectations, she began living life on her own terms.
One of the things that helped her through was her dog, Atom, whose presence reminded her to stay true to herself.
Ito’s new role as a professor is a means to help others navigate life’s challenges with resilience. Her course includes engaging activities such as drawing puzzles to encourage flexible thinking.
One of her key teachings is reframing negative experiences into opportunities for growth. "If I meet someone unpleasant, I think: ‘Wow, I usually meet such good people—this person is here to remind me of that.’"
Students who attended her first class were moved by her openness and strength.
One student expressed admiration for Ito’s willingness to share her painful experiences, while another mentioned that the class helped them reflect on what happiness truly means.
Despite the shocking tales, Ito remains hopeful. While she acknowledges that she alone cannot change the entertainment world, she believes that by sharing her experiences, she can empower others to recognise and avoid similar pitfalls.
"Even if they lose one job, another will come," she said, urging students to trust in their own worth and value.
Ito’s courage to speak out and her new role as a professor mark the beginning of a new phase in her life—one that combines personal healing with a desire to help others.
As she continues to shape young minds, she’s hoping that her own lessons learned from years in the entertainment industry will help her students live lives free from the traps she once fell into.