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Ladybeard
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Richard Magarey is an Australian stuntman, professional wrestler, singer and online streamer, known for his bearded crossdressing persona named Ladybeard (Japanese: レディビアード). He is currently vocalist of the band Babybeard, formerly with the band Ladybaby and Deadlift Lolita.
Key Information
Early career
[edit]According to GirlsWalker, Magarey first started crossdressing when he was 14 years old using his sister's school uniform. Ever since then, cute outfits have been part of his eventual wrestling gimmick.[2] Margarey worked in Supré when he was 18.
Magarey graduated from the Flinders University of South Australia Drama Centre in 2004 with a Bachelor of Creative Arts[3] before moving to Melbourne to train in Hong Kong-style martial arts and cinematic stunt work with Paul Andreovski of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.[4]
Wrestling and acting career
[edit]Originally from Adelaide, Magarey moved to Hong Kong in 2006 to kickstart his martial arts stunt career in films, later becoming a hit in Hong Kong as a cross-dressing pro wrestler. He held roles in two Michael Gleissner movies: Irreversi, shot in 2010 in Hong Kong (where Magarey was also the stand-in for lead actor Ian Bohen), and Deep Gold, shot in 2011 in the Philippines. He also starred as the main foreign villain in The Fortune Buddies. In October 2013 he moved to Tokyo, Japan to attempt a similar career there. On January 1, 2015, Ladybeard released the DVD+CD "Ladybeard Justice Fight Ai To Yuki To Bikini To Hige To (ジャスティス・ファイト ~愛と勇気とビキニと髭と)".[5] In 2017 Ladybeard was part of the Australian documentary "Big in Japan".[6]
In addition to his native English, Ladybeard has conversational levels of Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese and can understand some German.[7]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]Music career
[edit]
Ladybeard's musical style is described as Kawaiicore, a portmanteau of kawaii (Japanese for "cute") and the -core suffix associated with hardcore metal genres.[10] His motto is "Sing, dance, destroy!".
Ladybaby
[edit]In 2015, he formed the band with singers Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya called Ladybaby.[11][12] On 4 July, the group released their first track and music video titled 'Nippon Manju' ('Japanese Bun', in English) which is a song that covers all the things they love about Japan.[citation needed] Released in July 2015, the music video went viral on YouTube, at one point gathering 1 million views in 2 days.[13] Their second single, released in Japan on 13 January 2016, debuted at number 15 in the daily Oricon charts.[14] Ladybeard has since withdrawn from the group. The group re-branded itself, going by "The Idol Formerly Known as Ladybaby".[15] In 2018, the group returned to the original name after Rei left the group and three other girls joined. Ladybeard did however make a guest appearance on the EP "ホシノナイソラ -Starless_Sky-", providing additional growling vocals on the song "ビリビリマネー -Biri Biri Money-".
Deadlift Lolita
[edit]
On 28 February 2017, Ladybeard announced the formation of a new group, "Deadlift Lolita", with bodybuilding model and wrestler Reika Saiki.[16][17][18][19] They are joined by guitarist Isao Fujita, who also accompanied Babymetal. Their first single "Six Pack Twins" was released on 31 March 2017.[10]
Solo and collaborations
[edit]On 1 January 2015 Ladybeard released the single CD bonus of the DVD "LadyBeard Justice Fight – Ai to Yuki to Bikini to Hige to -", with the single and four remixes of the song "Ladybeard Justice Fight".[20] On 20 January 2016 Ladybeard was featured in Shiori Tomita single "Valentine Kiss Cover", version of "Valentine Kiss", from Sayuri Kokushō. On 19 October 2016 Ladybeard released a collaboration single with PEE and Yuuka Furukawa, "Wanchan Aruchan".[21] On 28 October 2016 he released a collaboration single with the Chinese idol group ATF, "Ghost Script".[22] On 23 May 2018 he released a collaboration single with the drummer MURATA TAMU, "Super D & D ~Kanzen ni Lead Shite I My Me~", with "D zettai! Samurai in the rain" as b-side.[23] On 7 July 2020 he made screams in the single from Zakk Cash "Limit Break X Survivor (Dragon Ball Super Collaborative Cover) (feat. Amalee, Ladybeard, Samuel Cristea, Eric Emery, Julian Comeau, Mark Barela, Callgirl & Christian Grey"). All the proceeds from streams are going to Action Against Hunger, supporting victims of the Aussie bushfires, and those most affected by COVID.
Babybeard
[edit]On April 12, 2021, Ladybeard announced the formation of a new group called Babybeard with singers Suzu and Kotomi. Their debut releases "Nippon Kara Konnichiwa" and "PIENIZER" began streaming on April 28, 2021.[24] "Nippon Kara Konnichiwa" reached the iTunes Store J-Pop Top Songs Top 2 in Australia on April 28, 2021, and Top 4 in the U.S. on April 29, 2021.[25] Songs for the group were written by Takashi Asano and Natsumi Tadano, the writers of Ladybaby's "Nippon Manju".[26]
Podcast
[edit]In 2022, he launched the podcast "Cat with Beard from JAPAN".[27]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Ladybeard". Cagematch. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
- ^ "話題沸騰中☆ヒゲ女装レディビアードに迫る!". Girlswalker.com. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Cross-dressing wrestler no closet champion". 3 January 2018.
- ^ "Sitting Down with a Pro Cross-Dressing Idol Wrestler (ft. Ladybeard)". YouTube.
- ^ "Ladybeard is in a movie called Justice Fight check out the trailer". UnitAsia.org. 12 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Big in Japan Documentary: An Outrageous Diy Fame Journey". pozible.com. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Sitting Down with a Pro Cross-Dressing Idol Wrestler (ft. Ladybeard)". Trash Taste. Retrieved 17 April 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ LiLiCoが初代KO―D10人タッグ王座奪取 股間握らせ投げ技発射. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 20 August 2017. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Union Pro Fly To Everywhere World Championship " Titles Database". cagematch.net.
- ^ a b Orsini, Lauren. "Japan's Only Crossdressing Death-Metal Vocalist Forms Bodybuilding Idol Group 'Deadlift Lolita'". Forbes.
- ^ "Japan's Biggest Metal Band Features Two Underaged Girls and a Bearded, Cross-Dressing Singer". Vice. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ Iannella, Antimo (15 July 2015). "J-pop sensation LadyBeard, aka Adelaide's Richard Magarey, goes viral". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
- ^ "Интернет взорвал клип группы Ladybaby с бородатым солистом в платье: Буквально за два дня количество просмотров этого клипа увеличилось на миллион" (in Russian). Metro International. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "オリコンデイリー CDシングルランキング 2016年01月12日付 11~20位". Oricon. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Ladybaby からレディビアード脱退、れい&理江は改名して再始動". natalie. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ^ "A Japanese Model for a Pro Wrestling League is Probably Buffer Than You Are". nextshark.com. 27 January 2016.
- ^ "Japan can't stop looking at modeling idol's big, beautiful...muscles! 【Photos】". 26 January 2016.
- ^ "Deadlift Lolita Official".
- ^ "Ladybeard starts new group: Deadlift Lolita with Reika Saiki – Dokipress". 28 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "鼓膜シュレッダー – Ladybeard Justice Fight 特典音楽CD". discogs. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "わんちゃんズ(Ladybeard+ぺえ+古川優香)". iTunes.com. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Ghost Script – Single ATF & Ladybeard". iTunes.com. 28 October 2016. Archived from the original on 27 November 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "Super D&D – Kanzen ni Lead Shite I My Me – / D Zettai! SAMURAI in the Rain [CD+DVD]". cdjapan. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ afaenia (15 April 2021). "Ladybeard returns with brand new unit "Babybeard"". JRock News. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Babybeard". TuneCore Japan. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "Babybeard - Interview (2021)". UniJolt. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "cat with beard from japan podcast". YouTube.
External links
[edit]Ladybeard
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and education
Richard Magarey, known professionally as Ladybeard, was born on August 3, 1983, in Adelaide, South Australia.[8] He grew up in an academic family environment, with relatives including doctors and lawyers, which provided a supportive backdrop for his creative pursuits despite his experiences with bullying at an all-boys school due to his outgoing personality.[1] His family encouraged his interests in performance, offering positive reinforcement throughout his formative years.[1] From a young age, Magarey developed an interest in martial arts, training regularly to build physical discipline and skills that would later inform his stunt work.[2] At age 14, in the late 1990s, he first explored cross-dressing by wearing his older sister's school uniform to a friend's birthday party, an experience prompted partly by practical clothing fit issues with his build but which received an unexpectedly positive reception.[9] This event marked his initial public appearance in drag and reduced the bullying he faced at school, as the skirt-wearing persona created a barrier that shifted social dynamics in his favor; he continued the practice sporadically, finding it empowering and aligned with his emerging interest in performance.[2][1] Magarey attended local schools in Adelaide, where he excelled in drama classes, fostering his passion for theater and acting.[1] He enrolled at Flinders University around 2000, pursuing formal education in the creative arts with a focus on drama and performance.[10] In 2004, he graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama major) from the Flinders University Drama Centre, equipping him with foundational skills in acting and stagecraft.[10] The following year, he completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours), further honing his abilities in performance.[10]Initial pursuits in Australia
Following his graduation from Flinders University's Drama Centre in 2004 with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting), Richard Magarey, known professionally as Ladybeard, began building his career in performance and action-oriented fields within Australia.[10] Around 2005, Magarey relocated to Melbourne to focus on stunt training, immersing himself in martial arts and specialized stunt coordination under the mentorship of an Australian stunt professional who had worked with Jackie Chan's team.[2] This included intensive courses in wire work, fight choreography, and Hong Kong-style cinematic action techniques, which enhanced his physical performance capabilities.[2] Magarey's interest in cross-dressing, which began at age 14 when he first tried on his sister's school uniform for a friend's birthday party due to practical fit issues that also enhanced his martial arts mobility, continued to shape his emerging performance style during this period.[2][9] These experiences in Melbourne solidified Magarey's skills in acting, stunts, and persona experimentation, positioning him for international opportunities in film and performance by 2006.[2]Acting and stunt career
Move to Hong Kong
In 2006, at the age of 23, Richard Magarey relocated from Adelaide, Australia, to Hong Kong, motivated by the thriving demand for English-speaking stunt performers in the region's action film industry. Having completed stunt training and a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Australia, he aimed to break into martial arts cinema, where foreign performers were often sought for international appeal in fight sequences. Initially planning a three-month stay to test the waters, Magarey extended his time in the city, ultimately residing there for six years as he built his professional foundation.[11][12][13] Upon arrival, Magarey encountered significant challenges in securing steady freelance stunt work amid the competitive Hong Kong film scene, where opportunities were limited for newcomers without established connections. The 2008 global financial crisis exacerbated these difficulties, wiping out much of the production budget for action projects and leaving him temporarily without gigs. To navigate on-set dynamics, he dedicated time to learning conversational Cantonese and basic Mandarin, essential for coordinating with local crews and directors during shoots. These language skills proved crucial for basic communication in the fast-paced environment of Hong Kong cinema.[4][14] Magarey's early professional engagements included background roles as a stunt double in low-budget Hong Kong action movies, where he performed physically demanding tasks such as martial arts choreography and wire-fu sequences—hallmarks of the genre's aerial combat style. These uncredited appearances honed his skills in high-risk maneuvers, often involving harnesses and rigging for simulated flight and impacts. Despite the sporadic nature of the work, these experiences allowed him to gain practical expertise in the local stunt techniques.[15] Adapting to life in Hong Kong, Magarey immersed himself in the expatriate performer community to forge networks with other foreign stunt artists and martial arts practitioners. He continued rigorous local training in disciplines like taekwondo and Jeet Kune Do, frequenting dojos to maintain his physical conditioning amid the city's humid climate and demanding schedule. This period of adaptation not only sustained his stunt career but laid the groundwork for his later ventures into on-camera acting roles.[16][14]Film and television roles
One of Richard Magarey's early film roles was as a stunt performer, minor actor, and stand-in for lead actor Ian Bohen in the 2010 Hong Kong thriller Irreversi, directed by Michael Gleissner.[6] He continued his stunt work in the 2011 action-adventure Deep Gold, again under Gleissner's direction, contributing to underwater and fight sequences in this Philippines-shot production.[6] In the same year, Magarey appeared as the main foreign villain in the Hong Kong comedy The Fortune Buddies (also known as Jing Chou Fu Lu Show), a film featuring local stars Wong Cho-lam, Louis Yuen, and Johnson Lee, where his martial arts background informed the character's antagonistic role.[17] Magarey's voice acting career in Hong Kong included English dubs for animated projects, such as voicing the dog farmer in the 2010 animated film Little Gobie and Duen Long in the 2008 animated feature Storm Rider: Clash of the Evils.[18] He also provided English voices for anime series like Baccano! (Animax dub, voicing characters including Firo Prochainezo and Szilard Quates) and Inazuma Eleven Go 2: Chrono Stone (2012).[6] Additionally, he dubbed Japanese and Mandarin cartoons into English for Omni Productions, a Hong Kong-based studio.[14] The Ladybeard persona, developed during his Hong Kong residency, first gained public visibility through wrestling performances starting in 2009, blending cross-dressing with stunt elements in live events.[19][14] This evolution from traditional stunt roles to character-driven media appearances highlighted his versatility during his time based in Hong Kong from 2006 to 2012.[19] Magarey featured prominently in the 2018 Australian documentary Big in Japan, directed by Lachlan McLeod, where he appeared as himself to discuss his transition from Hong Kong film work to fame in Japan's entertainment scene, including wrestling and music.[20] His multilingual abilities, including native English alongside conversational Cantonese and Mandarin, facilitated dubbing work for Hong Kong television series and films, allowing him to contribute to localized versions of international content.[3] Since moving to Japan, Magarey has continued voice acting, including additional voices in the 2024 Netflix anime series Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance.[21]Professional wrestling career
Debut in Hong Kong
Richard Magarey, performing under the ring name Ladybeard, commenced informal wrestling training in Hong Kong gyms between 2007 and 2008, where he merged his established stunt work expertise with foundational professional wrestling techniques. Having relocated to Hong Kong in 2006 to pursue opportunities in martial arts films, Magarey discovered a local wrestling club shortly after arrival, allowing him to train under experienced instructors while maintaining his stunt career. This period laid the groundwork for his transition into the ring, emphasizing physical conditioning and basic maneuvers adapted from his cinematic action background.[1][11] Ladybeard's professional debut took place in June 2009 at the Hong Kong Wrestling Federation's inaugural public event, titled "King of Wrestling," where he competed as a cross-dressing character complete with a lacy negligee and pigtails. Initially adopting the Cantonese stage name Wu So Lui—translating to "bearded girl"—he quickly established his persona as a blend of drag aesthetics and athletic prowess, drawing immediate attention in the local scene. His stunt background enhanced these early performances, enabling dynamic, high-impact spots that captivated audiences.[2][14] In his initial feuds within Hong Kong's independent wrestling circuits, Ladybeard faced off against local talents, incorporating comedic, high-energy elements tied to his bearded drag gimmick, such as interrupting matches with heavy metal renditions of Cantopop songs—a style dubbed "Cantocore." Notable rivalries included a prolonged storyline with wrestler H5Y1, featuring cycles of attacks, temporary alliances, betrayals, and revenge arcs that highlighted his versatility as both heel and face. Billed at 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) and approximately 194 lbs (88 kg), his ring style prioritized theatrical flair over pure technicality, using his physique to execute crowd-pleasing aerial and power-based maneuvers.[14] Ladybeard's consistent presence in Hong Kong Wrestling Federation events from 2009 onward fueled the promotion's growth, transforming him into a fan favorite and key draw through his unique character integration of wrestling, performance art, and music. By 2013, his regular bouts had solidified the indie scene's appeal, blending local talent with international flair before his eventual departure from the territory.[11][2]Career in Japan
In late 2013, Richard Magarey, performing as Ladybeard, relocated from Hong Kong to Tokyo to pursue opportunities in Japan's professional wrestling scene.[19] This move allowed him to join Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) Pro-Wrestling, a prominent promotion known for its blend of athleticism and entertainment, where he quickly adapted by learning conversational Japanese to better connect with fans and colleagues.[22][19] His integration into DDT marked a significant shift, enabling regular appearances and the refinement of his unique in-ring style. Within DDT, Ladybeard participated in high-profile tag team and solo bouts starting in 2014, such as his team-up with Saki Akai and Makoto Oishi against Aja Kong, Antonio Honda, and Hiroshi Fukuda at the Ryogoku Peter Pan event on August 17, 2014.[23] These matches showcased his evolution into a "kawaii wrestler," characterized by cross-dressing attire, high-energy metal music entrances, and a fusion of cute aesthetics with hardcore wrestling moves.[4] His performances, often featuring viral videos of death metal renditions of J-pop songs during entrances, helped build a dedicated fanbase in Japan and beyond.[1] From 2015 to 2018, Ladybeard expanded internationally through tours in Taiwan and Australia, where he combined wrestling matches with music performances, including DDT-sanctioned events in Taiwan in 2016. These outings highlighted his cross-promotional appeal, blending his DDT-honed wrestling persona with musical acts.[24] Following the end of his full-time DDT contract in September 2020, Ladybeard transitioned to freelance wrestling in Japan, continuing indie matches and guest appearances as of 2025.[25] Notable recent activities include wrestling showcases at international events like Otakon in August 2025, where he integrated matches into concert performances.[26]Championships and accomplishments
Ladybeard has achieved several championships in his professional wrestling career, primarily within Japanese promotions known for their comedic and unconventional elements. His title wins often highlight his unique persona and involvement in multi-person and mixed-gender matches.Championships
| Promotion | Championship | Reign(s) | Date(s) Won | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDT Pro-Wrestling | Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship | 3 | November 8, 2015 (all reigns) | Short reigns lasting less than one day each, won in Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan; exemplifies the title's "24/7" rule allowing impromptu changes in comedic scenarios.[27] |
| DDT Pro-Wrestling | KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Championship | 1 | August 20, 2017 | Teamed with Makoto Oishi, LiLiCo, Ken Ohka, and Super Sasadango Machine; held for 770 days until vacated on September 29, 2019.[28] |
| Union Pro-Wrestling | Fly to Everywhere World Championship | 1 | June 19, 2014 | Defeated Cherry in Shinjuku, Tokyo; held for 73 days until losing to Mio Shirai on August 31, 2014.[29] |