Momo Hirai in TWICE: Dance Legacy, Tours & Global Impact
Quick Read — Momo
- Momo (Hirai Momo) is TWICE’s main dancer, widely recognized for her precision and live performance stamina.
- She debuted with TWICE under JYP Entertainment and remains central to the group’s choreography-driven identity.
- On the current TWICE world tour, Momo performs a dedicated dance-focused solo stage at major international venues.
- Alongside TWICE, her work with the MISAMO unit has expanded her presence in Japan’s touring and album market.
Momo Hirai, known professionally as Momo, is one of the defining performance figures in modern K-pop. As TWICE K-Pop band’s main dancer, she has played a central role in shaping the group’s live reputation since their 2015 debut under JYP Entertainment. Her influence extends beyond choreography execution; she represents TWICE’s physical precision, rhythmic identity, and global performance appeal.
In the current touring era, Momo remains a focal point of TWICE’s live shows. During the TWICE “THIS IS FOR” World Tour, which spans 2025 into 2026, her solo stages and dance-centered segments consistently draw audience attention, reinforcing her long-standing reputation as one of the most technically reliable performers in the group.
Beyond group activities, Momo’s recent work with MISAMO—TWICE’s Japanese unit with Mina and Sana—has added another layer to her artistic profile. With a full-length Japanese album scheduled for release in early 2026, her career is currently positioned at the intersection of large-scale touring, unit activity, and cross-market cultural relevance.
Who Is Momo?
Hirai Momo was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began dancing at an early age. She and her sister were discovered by JYP Entertainment through an online dance video in 2012. While only Momo passed the audition process, the discovery marked the start of her professional training in South Korea.
Momo gained public recognition in 2015 through the survival program SIXTEEN, which formed TWICE. Although she was initially eliminated during the show, JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young reinstated her into the final lineup, citing her dance ability as essential to the group’s performance balance.
Since TWICE’s debut with The Story Begins, Momo has been positioned as the group’s primary dance specialist, known for her strong sense of timing, clean transitions, and adaptability across pop, hip-hop, and urban choreography styles. Her public image combines approachability with technical credibility, particularly among dance-focused audiences.
Momo’s Role and Impact in TWICE
Within TWICE, Momo’s primary contribution is movement clarity and performance consistency. Her dancing anchors formations, supports less dance-forward members, and allows the group’s choreography to translate effectively in large venues.
She is frequently placed at the center during high-energy dance breaks, particularly in songs that rely on rhythmic intensity rather than vocal emphasis. This role has become more pronounced as TWICE’s concerts have transitioned from arenas to stadium-scale productions.
Culturally, Momo holds a unique position as one of the most visible Japanese idols in K-pop. Her sustained presence in a top-tier Korean group has contributed to TWICE’s long-term success in both South Korea and Japan, strengthening the group’s cross-border identity.
Music, Performances & Group Discography
Across TWICE’s discography, Momo’s contributions are most evident in tracks built around choreography-driven performance. While she is not positioned as a primary vocalist, her vocal lines often support rhythm and structure within songs, particularly during verses that transition into dance-heavy sections.
Her performance presence is especially notable during live versions of TWICE’s title tracks, where choreography becomes the defining element of audience engagement. Over time, her role has evolved from purely technical execution to performance leadership, particularly during extended dance breaks and encore stages.
In 2023, Momo expanded her discography through MISAMO, TWICE’s first official unit. The unit’s releases emphasized controlled movement, stylized performance, and a more mature stage aesthetic compared to TWICE’s group catalog.
Recent Tours, Performances & Setlist Highlights
Momo is currently active on the TWICE “THIS IS FOR” World Tour, which continues through 2025 and into mid-2026 with stops across Asia, North America, and Europe.
On recent tour dates, she performs a dedicated solo stage, widely reported as “Move Like That,” designed to highlight her dance technique rather than vocal delivery. These segments are structured to contrast with TWICE’s group choreography, giving audiences a focused view of her movement control and stage confidence.
In October 2025, Momo appeared as part of a historic TWICE performance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York City, alongside Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu—marking the first time a K-pop girl group performed at the event.
Her most recent confirmed tour appearances include late-2025 shows in Southeast Asia, followed by early-2026 dates in North America, where she continues to feature prominently in the group’s live setlists.
MISAMO, Japanese Market & Recent Career Expansion
As a member of MISAMO, Momo has taken on a more visible individual identity within a smaller unit format. The subunit’s second mini-album HAUTE COUTURE (released in late 2024) was followed by a sold-out Japan dome tour, drawing approximately 250,000 attendees across six shows.
MISAMO is scheduled to release its first full-length Japanese album, PLAY, in February 2026, featuring individual solo tracks from each member. Momo’s solo track, “Kitty,” highlights a performance-forward style aligned with her established strengths.
This unit activity has reinforced her standing in the Japanese music market while maintaining continuity with TWICE’s global brand.
Stage Presence, Discipline & Fan Connection
Momo’s stage presence is defined by precision and stamina. She is widely regarded as one of TWICE’s most physically consistent performers, rarely deviating from choreography even during extended tours.
Her connection with ONCE, TWICE’s fandom, is built less on spectacle and more on reliability. Fans frequently cite her consistency during live shows as a stabilizing force within the group, particularly during demanding tour schedules.
This reputation has strengthened over time, especially as TWICE’s performances have become longer and more physically intensive.
Media Presence, Fashion & Cultural Influence
Outside music, Momo has become a notable figure in fashion. She has served as a brand ambassador for Miu Miu and Onitsuka Tiger, appearing at major fashion events including Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week.
Her visibility in fashion media complements her performance career, positioning her as a crossover figure between music, dance, and style without overextending into unrelated entertainment fields.
What’s Next for Momo?
Looking ahead, Momo is expected to remain fully active with TWICE throughout the continuation of the “THIS IS FOR” World Tour. Her involvement in MISAMO’s upcoming album release in 2026 will likely bring additional performances and media appearances in Japan.
While no solo debut has been officially announced outside unit activity, her career trajectory suggests continued emphasis on live performance, touring, and cross-market representation within TWICE’s broader strategy.
FAQs About Momo (Hirai Momo)
Who is Momo in TWICE?
Momo is TWICE’s main dancer, known for her precision and live performance consistency.
Is Momo active on the current TWICE tour?
Yes. She is performing on the “THIS IS FOR” World Tour through 2025–2026.
Does Momo have solo stages in concerts?
On recent tours, she performs a dedicated dance-focused solo stage.
What is MISAMO?
MISAMO is TWICE’s Japanese unit consisting of Momo, Sana, and Mina.
Why is Momo important to TWICE’s live shows?
Her technical reliability and stamina anchor the group’s choreography during long performances.
Momo’s importance to TWICE lies in her physical command of the stage. As the group continues to tour globally, her role as a performance anchor remains essential to TWICE’s reputation as a live act.
In the current era—marked by large-scale tours, international appearances, and unit expansion—Momo stands as one of TWICE’s most dependable and influential members, reinforcing the group’s longevity on stage and across markets.
For updated TWICE tour dates, ticket availability, and member performance breakdowns, explore the latest sections on twicetours.com.
