Saito Madoka

Saito Madoka (斉藤円香; formerly 齊藤円香) is a Japanese pop singer under Hello! Project as the leader of OCHA NORMA and a former member of Hello Pro Kenshuusei.
==Biography==
===Early Life===
Saito Madoka was born on October 28, 2002 in Saitama, Japan.
She was signed under Ray Talent Promotion from at least October 2015 to July 2016."芸能部所属者：タレント 齊藤円香" (in Japanese). Ray Talent Promotion. (Archived)Based on page archives, Saito was found to be added to Ray Talent Promotion's list of talent in October 2015 at the earliest, and she was removed in July 2016 at the latest. "芸能部所属者：一覧" (in Japanese). Ray Talent Promotion. (Archived)
===2018===
Saito participated in Hello! Project "ONLY YOU" Audition, but failed.
On November 1, it was announced that Saito had joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei alongside Kusunoki Mei and Onoda Karin. They were introduced in the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2018 12gatsu ~Mikan~ show on December 2."ハロプロ研修生に新メンバー加入のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-11-01.
===2019===
On February 5, she participated in a fanclub event titled Hello Pro Kenshuusei Special Event in Nagoya ~Hajimemashite! 6~ at Midland Square Cinema 2 alongside Kubota Nanami, Matsubara Yulia, and Onoda Karin.
On July 11, Saito was one of the first five Hello Pro Kenshuusei members assigned to the rotational Hello Pro Kenshuusei Unit, who will perform in the Hello! Project 2019 SUMMER concert tour starting on July 13."​ハロプロ研修生の新体制について" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2019-07-11."ハロプロ研修生の新体制について" (in Japanese). UP-FC. 2019-07-11.
===2021===
On March 7, it was announced at the end of the Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2021 3gatsu ~Yell~ recital that Saito will be debuting in a new Hello! Project group on January 2, 2022."​ハロー！プロジェクト 新グループ結成のお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2021-03-07.
On April 20, she participated in a ENPLEX × Hello! Project Nagoya Teiki Event with Yonemura Kirara, Hiromoto Ruli, and Yofu Runo.
On December 14, she participated in a ENPLEX × Hello! Project Nagoya Teiki Event with Yonemura Kirara and Kitahara Momo.
===2022===
On April 9, it was announced during the OCHA NORMA FC Event 2022 ~OCHA NORMA no Ma 2~ that Saito Madoka would be OCHA NORMA's leader, with Hiromoto Ruli becoming the group's sub-leader. The official Hello! Project website was updated to confirm this shortly after the announcement.
On June 6, it was reported that Saito was diagnosed with COVID-19. In the midnight of June 3, Saito had symptoms of fever, sore throat, headache, and nausea, so she did an antigen test at her home and a positive reaction for COVID-19 was confirmed. After consulting with the medical institution, she was instructed to take medical treatment and self-isolate at her home until June 13 due to the positive results in a PCR test. She and the remaining OCHA NORMA members were close contacts of Ishiguri Kanami, so they would also continue to self-isolate at home for the time being. Other than Saito and Ishiguri, no symptoms were confirmed for the OCHA NORMA members."OCHA NORMA 斉藤円香 新型コロナウイルス感染に関するご報告" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2022-06-06.
On October 27, she celebrated her 20th birthday at a fanclub event titled OCHA NORMA Saito Madoka Birthday Event 2022 with two shows at LANDMARK HALL."★ファンクラブ会員限定イベント★「OCHA NORMA 斉藤円香バースデーイベント2022」開催決定！" (in Japanese). UP-FC. 2022-09-09.
===2023===
On August 3, it was announced that Saito was diagnosed with COVID-19. As result, she would be absent from the TOKYO IDOL FESTIVAL 2023 on August 4, from the August 5 concert of the OCHA NORMA CONCERT 2023 SUMMER ~Motto Growing Up!~, and from the release event of OCHA NORMA's 3rd single on August 6."OCHA NORMA 斉藤円香 新型コロナウイルス感染に関するお知らせ" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2023-08-03.
On October 31, she celebrated her 21st birthday at a fanclub event titled OCHA NORMA Saito Madoka Birthday Event 2023 with two shows at LANDMARK HALL.
On December 7, she took part in Hello! Project 25 Shunnen Kinen Special FC Event Vol.3 alongside Oda Sakura, Haga Akane, Yokoyama Reina, Ise Layla, Kawana Rin, Niinuma Kisora, Yamazaki Yuhane and Tsutsui Roko at Yamano Hall. This event covered the 2011-2016 era of Hello! Project's history.
===2024===
On August 23 her first photobook, Madoka, was announced. It will release on her birthday, October 28."OCHA NORMA斉藤円香写真集『円香』" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2024-08-23
==Personal Life==
==Profile==
==Works==
===Theater===
*[2021] Toshokan Monogatari ~3tsu no Bookmark~
===TV Programs===
*[2020–2021] Hello Dream.
===Internet===
*[2015] Ameba Studio "Team Akasaka" (アメスタ『チーム赤坂』) (Saturday regular)
*[2019–] Hello! Project Station
*[2020] Hello Pro no Oshigoto Challenge! 2
*[2020] Hello! Anison Bu
*[2021–] OMAKE CHANNEL
*[2022–] Upcoming
===Music Videos===
*[2021] Miyamoto Karin - Kikakugai no Romance (as a back-up dancer)
==Trivia==
*Her favorite historical figure is Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2018 12gatsu ~Mikan~ MC. 2019-12-02.
*She is practicing nanadan (7th level) and wants to keep improving her kana.Hello! Project Kenshuusei Happyoukai 2018 12gatsu ~Mikan~ MC. 2019-12.
*She has the same surname as Melon Kinenbi member Saito Hitomi.
*She loves collecting Disney goods.Hello Dream. Episode 7.
*Her favorite smartphone game is Ensemble Stars.
==Honorary Titles==
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==References==
==External Links==
*OCHA NORMA Profile
*OCHA NORMA Official Blog
*Hello Pro Kenshuusei Profile (archived)
*Ray Talent Promotion Profile (archived)
Category:2018 Additions
Category:29th Generation Hello Pro Kenshuusei
Category:Hello Pro Kenshuusei
Category:Scorpio
Category:Members from Saitama
Category:Blood Type O
Category:Members who failed a Hello! Project Audition
Category:Horse
Category:Members born in Heisei Period
Category:Members born after Hello! Project's formation
Category:Saito Madoka
Category:Debuted Kenshuusei
Category:Hello Pro Kenshuusei Formers
Category:OCHA NORMA
Category:Sea Blue Member Color
Category:Current Leader
Category:Group Leaders
Category:Members currently attending university
Category:Oldest Hello Pro Kenshuusei Members