Yua Mikami is once again attracting attention for successfully reinventing her career, this time as one of Taiwan’s most popular cheerleaders.
Long before becoming a trending figure in Taiwanese sports entertainment, Yua Mikami was already widely known in the Japanese entertainment industry. Nearly a decade ago, she shocked both K-pop and J-pop fans after debuting in Korean girl group Honey Popcorn.
The group originally consisted of Yua Mikami, Miko Matsuda and Moko Sakura, all with previous idol experience but also backgrounds in the adult entertainment industry. Their debut immediately sparked controversy and reactions online, particularly in South Korea.
Despite the criticism, Honey Popcorn has become a memorable topic in K-pop discussions because the project was reportedly self-funded by Yua Mikami herself, who has openly expressed her dream of becoming a K-pop idol.
While continuing activities in the entertainment field, Yua Mikami later expanded into business ventures involving cosmetics, contact lenses, hair products, and beauty brands. She officially retired from the adult film industry in 2023.
In 2025, the celebrity once again surprised fans by joining Formosa Sexy, the cheerleading team of Taiwanese professional basketball club Formosa Dreamers.
In Taiwan, cheerleaders are often treated similarly to idols, developing devoted fan bases and significant celebrity status.
Yua Mikami quickly became one of the league’s standout personalities thanks to her strong stage presence, energetic performances, and massive international popularity.
Recently, she was officially nominated “The Most Popular Cheerleader” of the 2025 season after winning a fan vote organized by media accounts related to the Taiwan Professional Basketball League.
According to posts shared online, fans praised his professionalism, charisma and close interactions with the crowd during matches.
The recognition further highlighted how successfully Yua Mikami was able to transition into an entirely different entertainment field after her retirement from adult films.
In a recent interview, Yua Mikami reportedly shared her desire to continue cheerleading activities despite language barriers in Taiwan.
Her journey from idol trainee to controversial K-pop figure, entrepreneur and now sports entertainment celebrity has continued to captivate fans across Asia.
Everywhere she goes, Yua Mikami constantly demonstrates her ability to stay relevant and reinvent herself in new industries.
Sources: Koreaboo
