Sahori Araki, a 29-year-old former idol now working as a model and actress, has been attracting worldwide attention on social media. A seemingly casual photo she posted on X (formerly Twitter) in late July became a huge hit overseas, gaining her 300,000 new followers in just one week. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk reacted to the post, which spread globally as an international meme.
A Single Photo Sparked a Global Phenomenon
On July 25, Araki posted a photo of herself in a suit on X. It was quoted by overseas users and quickly went viral. Her brief caption, “Good morning,” crossed oceans and set off a massive wave of attention—one that eventually reached Elon Musk himself.
The post has since recorded 77 million impressions, with comments from around the world praising her, including remarks like, “She must be protected at all costs.”
Elon Musk’s Reaction Sealed the Hype
The excitement peaked when a short video was created using the AI service “Grok Imagine,” featuring Araki’s photo. Many viewers reacted by saying it felt “just like she was really speaking to them.”
When Elon Musk responded to the clip by posting, “Grok Imagine is super fun,” the buzz expanded even further. Araki herself was stunned, posting, “Wait, Mr. Elon Musk himself!!??? Thank you so much for reacting!”
A Multi-Talented Former Idol from Nagasaki
Originally from Nagasaki Prefecture, Araki was an idol until February 2025 and is now active as a model. She was a member of the idol group Tokyo Girls Bravo.
Her hobbies include basketball, visiting cafés, and solo travel. She is skilled in English pronunciation and Korean, holding a TOEIC score of 700, which she uses to communicate with her overseas fans in English. From 2023 to 2024, she also worked as a model for the recruitment page of Takeda Design & Engineering Co., Ltd.
A History of Making Waves on Social Media
This isn’t her first time going viral internationally. In the past, a single Instagram post earned her 50,000 new followers, a feat that led to her gravure debut in Weekly Young Magazine as “the beautiful girl who gained 50,000 followers with a single post.”
Balancing Corporate Work with the Entertainment World
Araki works as an office employee while also pursuing activities as a model and actress. Her Instagram bio lists “Office Lady” and “Actress,” reflecting her balance between her main career and her entertainment endeavors.
Overseas praise for her has centered on her image as a “graceful Japanese woman.” Her clean, refined look paired with an approachable personality has resonated across borders, serving as a prime example of how Japanese pop culture can influence the world.
Araki’s sudden global spotlight is a symbolic case of social media’s power and cross-cultural appeal. What began with a single photo has transcended language and cultural barriers, creating shared moments of admiration and demonstrating a new form of international connection in the digital age.
