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Jul 26 2004 4 Comments

A for Ayu

Or Ayumi Hamasaki to use her full name.

ayu02.jpg

This female singer is arguably the biggest name and most recognizable face in Japanese pop music at the moment. But despite her detractors, Ms Hamasaki (or whoever looks after the singer) isn’t stupid. Her time at the top could well be over before she knows it, especially as Japanese consumers are perhaps even more fickle than their western counterparts, so understandably she is making hay whilst the sun shines. Not only does Ayu regularly release new music, but she also lends her face to countless products, and even has her own fashion label. But who can blame her?

ayu_panasonic.jpg

From all accounts, Hamasaki’s childhood wasn’t the happiest, and at the tender age of 14 she moved to Tokyo in search of fame and fortune. But after bit parts in low-budget movies and relatively unsuccessful dramas, the young Ayu was left to wile away her time hanging around in the city’s fashionable Shibuya district. Until that is a chance encounter with a record producer from one of Japan’s biggest labels.

Some accounts say he spotted her on the streets, whilst others claim they were introduced in a karaoke parlour. A few even suggest she used her womanly charms. Yet either way, the rest as they say is history.

Just as Ayu could soon be…

Categorized: Fashion, General, Music

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dr Dave says

    7/26/2004 at 3:22 pm

    One cannot fully grasp the Ayumi concept, without a look at her *fans* (or more exactly, her fans’ means of transportation):
    http://masamania.com/masha/101-150/110/index.htm

    Masa also offers a perfect sum-up:
    “Her face is very beautiful but small boob.”

    Reply
  2. thesuperstar says

    10/22/2005 at 12:43 pm

    yes, she is beautiful.

    Reply
  3. drksin says

    5/22/2007 at 10:01 pm

    she is lovely and is the most heavenly thing ive seen. if i ever saw her even just once and she was looking at me i would happily die after that. she sings beautiful songs and looks just as young as an 18 year old

    Reply
  4. Vinnce says

    5/25/2007 at 9:52 pm

    i total agree with the ‘strategies’ she has been using, call it what ever u like or see it which ever way u want…she is totally playing her cards right. And hey, opportunity only knocks once. she answered the door, got on the train-1way ticket to stardom, fame and a better life, now who wouldn’t jump on 1 like this? it’s only human and it’s a cruel world out there. So all the best to Ayumi, all the best to those who answered the door…It’s show time!

    Reply

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