A theory began circulating among netizens that Fumiya Sankai, a former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and content creator, is a member of the LGBTQ community.
This was fueled by a recent TikTok dance video Sankai uploaded showing him with someone assumed by his followers to be his “non-celebrity boyfriend.”
@fumiyanotiktok Kumusta kayo? #fumiyalangsapatna #fumiya #japanese
Most of the comments were questions about whether the other man in the video was Sankai’s new partner. He hasn’t replied to any comments but has liked a few of them.
A post about him being gay also became viral on Facebook.
Sankai then clarified that he remained a heterosexual male. He quipped, “Akala ko my dance is very nice that’s why trending.” He added, “I respect LGBT. Very respect. Pero I’m very straight. We are really straight.”
@fumiyanotiktok Kami ba talaga???? #fumiya #fumiyalangsapatna #japanese @Kenji
Sankai thanked netizens for making his video go viral. It was also revealed that the other man in the video was his best friend named “Kenji.”
Sankai has been active on his YouTube channel, FumiShun Base, since 2015. He gained popularity when he became the first pure-Japanese official housemate on ‘Pinoy Big Brother: Otso’, a reality TV show for Filipinos. Known as the “Konnichi-Wonder Vlogger of Japan”, Fumiya finished the 9-month-long show as the 5th place winner.
Fumiya Sankai has also made appearances on several TV and digital programs on ABS-CBN, including Umagang Kay Ganda, It’s Showtime, Matanglawin FB Live, Tawa Tawa Together on iWant, iWant ASAP, and Caldero Files on Online Kapamilya Show. He has also been a guest on multiple episodes of shows such as ASAP, Magandang Buhay, Rated K, Minute to Win It, Gandang Gabi Vice, and Tonight with Boy Abunda.
Fumiya Sankai served as the Myx Celebrity VJ for December 2019.