Ten Yamasaki

Biography

Ten Yamasaki (山﨑 天, Yamasaki Ten; born 28 September, 2005) is a Japanese singer, dancer, model, and actress. She is a member and vice captain of the idol group Sakurazaka46 (formerly Keyakizaka46) and an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ViVi. Her nickname is Ten-chan (天ちゃん). Yamasaki is considered the "ace" and "symbol" of Sakurazaka46, and has been lead performer for the most Sakurazaka46 songs. She was the youngest ever member of Keyakizaka46, and of Sakurazaka46 until 2022. She also coined the Sakurazaka46 fandom name, "Buddies." Yamasaki has appeared in numerous fashion events and served as a model for fashion brands. As an actress, she played the lead role in the short film A Train of Memories and a supporting role in the television drama Kokoro no Fufufu. She has also starred in various commercials.

== Early life == Yamasaki was born on September 28, 2005 in Osaka, Japan. She has two younger sisters, one is two years younger and the other is nine years younger. Her given name, "Ten (天)," has various origins. One reason is her parents' wish for her to reach the top in something, no matter what it is. Another reason is that "Ten (天)" is easy for foreigners to remember, as it corresponds to the word "ten" in English. When she was young, she struggled with being the center of attention. She did not really like herself, and wanted to change. During her elementary school graduation ceremony, Yamasaki declared her determination to decide on her future dream while in junior high school and to work hard toward that dream. In the summer of her first year of junior high school, she applied for the audition with the desire to become someone who can meet and exceed expectations.

== Career ==

=== Idol career === On August 19, 2018, Yamasaki passed "Sakamichi Series New Member Audition." On November 29, it was announced that she joined Keyakizaka46 as a second generation member. On December 5, her profile was posted on Keyakizaka46's official website. On December 10, Yamasaki appeared in Keyakizaka46 Second Members / Hiragana Keyakizaka46 Third Members "Showcase" held at Nippon Budokan. There, she declared, "'Ten' in Ten Yamasaki stands for the 'top.' I will lead Keyakizaka46 to the top of the idol world." Yamasaki served as the center for the first time in her original position for the songs "Hanshinhangi" and "Buddies" from Sakurazaka46's 1st single "Nobody's Fault," released on December 9, 2020. She served as the center for the songs "Sore ga Ai Nano ne" and "Omotta Yori Mo Sabishikunai" from Sakurazaka46's 2nd single "Ban," released on April 14, 2021. Starting from the May 14 issue of the Yomiuri Chūkōsei Shimbun, she took charge of the second week of the serialized column "Yroom." On July 9, during the Sakurazaka46 live performance W-Keyaki Fes. 2021 held at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest, Yamasaki named the fans of Sakurazaka46 "Buddies." From then on, Buddies came to be referred to as the official fan name for Sakurazaka46. Yamasaki served as the center for a title track for the first time in Sakurazaka46's 4th single "Samidare yo," released on April 6, 2022." She also served as the center for the song "Koi ga Zetsumetsu Suru Hi," from the same single. She served as the center for the lead track "Masatsukeisū," in Sakurazaka46's 1st studio album As you know? released on August 3. Yamasaki also served as the center for the song "Jōken Hansha de Nakete Kuru," from the same studio album. She served as the center for the songs "Bokutachi no La vie en rose" from Sakurazaka46's 7th single "Shōninyokkyū," released on October 18, 2023. She made her first appearance on The First Take, released on January 10, 2024, and performed a solo rendition of the song "Samidare yo," in which she served as the center. Yamasaki served as the center for the title track in Sakurazaka46's 8th single "Ikutsu no Koro ni Modoritai no ka?" released on February 21. She also served as the center for the song "Nakasete Hold me tight!" from the same single. Yamasaki served as the center for the title track in Sakurazaka46's 2nd studio album Addiction released on April 30, 2025. On April 11, 2026, at Japan National Stadium, it was announced during Sakurazaka46 5th Year Anniversary Live that she had been appointed vice captain of Sakurazaka46.

=== Modeling === On February 29, 2020, Yamasaki made her runway debut as a model at 30th Mynavi Tokyo Girls Collection 2020 Spring/Summer held at Yoyogi National Gymnasium first Gymnasium. On April 25, 2021, it was announced at the YouTube live event ViVi Fes Live 2021 Spring that Yamasaki would become an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ViVi. She became the first currently active idol in the magazine's history to serve as an exclusive model. She appeared in the magazine as an exclusive model starting from the September 2021 issue of ViVi, released on July 20. Yamasaki's first solo series in ViVi titled "New World (新天地, Shintenchi)" began in the January 2022 issue of ViVi, released on November 22. On April 4, 2022, she was appointed as the Japan brand ambassador for L'Oréal Paris' "Extraordinary Oil Airy Silk." Yamasaki served as the first solo cover model for ViVi in the September 2022 issue, released on July 23. On September 12, she was appointed as a model for the fashion brand GU. Yamasaki's solo series "Ten-Core (テンコア)" began in the December 2023 issue of ViVi, released on October 23. On February 22, 2024, she received Sneaker Best Dresser Award. On April 3, Yamasaki was appointed as the key visual model for the collaboration Collection between the fashion brand Wind And Sea and NBA. On August 11, she was appointed as the model for the collaboration Collection between the fashion brand Clot and adidas Originals. On April 16, 2025, Yamasaki was appointed as a model for the eyewear brand Zoff. On June 18, she was appointed as a model for adidas Japan. Yamasaki attended London Fashion Week presented by 1664 Blanc Spring/Summer 2026, which was held from September 18 to 22. On October 8, she was appointed as the key visual model for the collaboration Collection between the fashion brand Wind And Sea and NBA.

=== Acting === On August 15, Yamasaki made her drama debut in the television drama Kokoro no Fufufu. She appeared as the heroine in the short film Akogare, which began screening on September 22, 2022. She starred in the Universal Studios Japan commercial that began airing on January 26, 2023. Yamasaki starred in the short film A Train of Memories, which was released on March 16. This short film won awards at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2023, 2024 Clio Awards, The One Show 2024, New York Festivals Advertising Awards 2023, Mad Stars 2023, Ciclope Festival 2023, Epica Awards 2023, 2023 One Asia Creative Awards, 2024 Clio Music Awards, Adfest 2024, Spikes Asia 2024, 76th Dentsu Advertising Awards, 63rd Acc Tokyo Creativity Awards 2023, 61st Jaa Advertising Awards, 61st Galaxy Awards, and 103rd Adc Annual Awards. Yamasaki starred in the Suntory commercial for "Suntory Tennensui Fiber 8000," which was released on April 18. She starred in the Tokyo Gas Network commercial that began airing on September 2. Yamasaki starred in the music video for imase's song "Koigoromo," released on February 5, 2024. She appeared in the commercial for Alinamin Pharmaceutical's "Benza Block Premium," which started airing on October 3. She appeared in the short film Sonic Beat, released on March 6, 2026. She starred in the television drama Death (Seishun) Game, which began airing on September 6. She made her voice acting debut in the animated feature film We Are Aliens, released on September 25.

=== Others === On September 11, 2024, Yamasaki launched her official Instagram account (@yamasaki.ten).

== Fashion ==