TOKYO: Kae Asakura, a former actress in the adult film industry from Japan, announced her acceptance of Islam after a visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2024.
Asakura, known more widely as Rae Lil Black, detailed her journey of faith via TikTok and in an interview with Singaporean podcaster Dzar Ismail.
While in Kuala Lumpur, she visited mosques while wearing a hijab to meet Muslim locals, which moved her because of the warm and generous welcome she received.
She was drawn to Islam after receiving the warmest reception from the Muslim community in Kuala Lumpur. “They were so nice to me. They welcomed me with open arms. So, I was like, ‘Okay, these people are so nice. Why don’t I try to understand their culture?’, Rae Lil Black stated during her visit.
Asakura shared her first fasting experience during Ramadan with her followers online. Some users, however, accused her of not fasting and merely creating content for attention-seeking purposes; an accusation she staunchly denied.
In response to allegations of her still being in the adult film business, Asakura said those videos most people saw of her were recorded a long time ago and she has no rights to them.
Nevertheless, Asakura received tremendous support from fellow Muslims, who gave her gifts ranging from dates and books to a prayer rug from Mecca. Beyond the words, she cried by the generosity of everybody, saying, “I wept a little because people are so supportive and they don’t judge.”
Asakura’s conversion to Islam, however, sparked renewed curiosity about her previous dealings. Earlier, she had paid Lahore, Pakistan, a visit, where she ignited a huge online argument after visiting the historic Badshahi Mosque.
Her presence in the mosque, while she wore a hijab, surprised many, prompting speculation that maybe she was somehow interested in Islam.
