In a world where the entertainment industry rarely reads between the lines, Anna Sawai’s story is like that final plot twist we never saw coming—but are absolutely thrilled about. The star of FX’s Shōgun recently walked away with the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 76th Emmy Awards, etching her name in history as the first Japanese performer to win this award.
But did you know that before overwhelming us in the samurai epic, she was kicking it J-pop style? Yes, Sawai was part of a J-pop group but quickly left after realizing that the industry’s approach was not music to her ears. From small roles in Netflix’s Giri/Haji to a pulse-pounding appearance in F9, haven’t we all hit the jackpot with her decision to pivot career paths?
Anna Sawai Made History as the First Japanese Actress to Win an Emmy
If you tuned into the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 15, 2024, and thought you’d stumbled into a fairy tale, you weren’t alone. Anna Sawai turned the evening into a chapter of her own storybook when she made history by becoming the first Japanese actress to win an Emmy (see THR).
Dressed in a vibrant red Vera Wang gown, the actress, 32, stole the spotlight. She admitted to being a bundle of nerves, confessing (via THR):
I was crying before my name was announced—I’m a mess today.
Well, if that’s what a mess looks like, we need a little more mess in our lives! She kicked off her heartfelt acceptance speech by tipping her hat to the Academy for nominating her alongside stars she “grew up watching and love.” She then showered the FX team with thanks for “believing in our story” and gave a hearty shout-out to co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo for handing her “the role of a lifetime”.
Her gratitude didn’t stop there; she extended wholehearted thanks to every member of the Shōgun crew and cast, giving a special mention to Hiroyuki Sanada.
And thank you to every single one of the crew and cast led by Hiroyuki Sanada—he really has opened doors and continues to open doors for people like me.
Sawai went toe-to-toe with some big names for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award, including Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon from The Morning Show, Maya Erskine from Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Imelda Staunton from The Crown, and Carrie Coon from The Gilded Age.
The Journey of Anna Sawai: From J-Pop Star to Actress
Yes, it’s true. Before Anna Sawai was stealing scenes as Lady Toda Mariko in FX’s Shōgun, she was the queen of J-Pop, leading Faky, a five-member girl group that rocked the Japanese music scene (see PEOPLE). The actress jumped on board with Faky in 2013, teaming up with bandmates Diane, Tina, Mikako, and Lil’Fang, when the group was launched under Avex’s Rhythm Zone record label.
But in 2018, Sawai decided to swap her microphone for a script and dive into the acting world. The group continued to make music with new members but eventually disbanded after their final bow on January 13, 2024. In a chat with Variety’s Actors on Actors series with Tom Hiddleston, Sawai reminisced about her journey. She explained how her agency was heavily focused on music.
From 16 I wanted to act, but… I couldn’t get into it as smoothly as I wanted to. So I had to quit the J-pop group in order to actually start [acting].
While she fondly remembered her time with Faky, the actress admitted she felt “very trapped” in the group. “I loved the girls, but I was not in control of my own career,” she revealed. Quitting J-Pop was her ticket to freedom, letting her chase auditions and work with actors she’d admired.
According to her fans, leaving the Avex record label was a wise move that helped Sawai avoid potential problems or negative consequences:
And her transition wasn’t a sprint but a marathon, leading to roles in projects like Pachinko and, of course, Shōgun, where she snagged that historic Emmy win. From a J-Pop stage to the Emmy stage, she’s shown that following your passion can turn the spotlight into a stardust trail of success.
Shōgun is currently available to watch on Hulu.
