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Naomi Watanabe Is Known As The Beyonce Of Japan

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Thirty-year-old Naomi Watanabe is Japan’s most popular social media star. While using her platform for comedy, Watanabe is also a fashion designer, challenging the long-held stereotypes that Japanese women face.

Watanabe shot to fame in 2008 after her over-the-top impersonations of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga went viral, becoming known as the “Beyoncé of Japan.” She recently snagged an endorsement deal with Gap and continues to snag seats at Fendi and Gucci runway shows. Watanabe’s own line, Punyus, released in 2014, carries sizes up to a US 16.