Kago Ai

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Kago Ai November, 2009
Kago Ai June, 2009
Kago Ai October, 2008
Kago Ai August, 2008
Kago Ai Febuary, 2007
Kago Ai January, 2006
Kago Ai December, 2005
Kago Ai 2005
in W's Photo Book "50W", 2004
Kago Ai May, 2004
Kago Ai June, 2003
Kago Ai 2002
Kago Ai 2001

Kago Ai (加護亜依) is a J-pop singer, actress, author and Guinness Book of World Records breaking hula hoop player. She's also a former 4th generation member of the pop idol group, Morning Musume under Hello! Project.

She soon become popular within the agency, as part in various sub-group's and even forming the group W with her best friend Tsuji Nozomi. After a series of scandals she was dropped by her agency. Kago is currently still working towards rebuilding her career, but is still followed by scandal.

Contents

Profile

Name: Kago Ai (加護亜依)
Nickname: Aibon (あいぼん), Aipi (her mother called her this first)
Birthday: 1988-02-07
Birthplace: Nara, Japan
Blood type: AB
Hobbies: Karaoke, cooking, studying
Height: 155cm
Favorite color: White
Favorite flowers: Tulips
Favorite word: Happy
Favorite food: Nattou, ponzu
Disliked food: Carrots
Hello! Project Groups:

Subgroups:

Shuffle Groups:

History

2000

at age 12, Kago succeeded in passing the National Audition for Morning Musume held by Up-Front Works Agency in 2000. She joined as a part of the fourth generation alongside Yoshizawa Hitomi, Ishikawa Rika and Tsuji Nozomi. Kago debuted on Morning Musume's ninth single, "Happy Summer Wedding" with her album debut on the group's fourth album, "4th Ikimasshoi!".

Kago and Tsuji met during the auditions and when they both found themselves in Morning Musume the two became fast friends. The two were the youngest members in Morning Musume at the time and as such took it upon themselves to become the hyperactice troublemakers of the group. Although at first both girls were shy about being on camera they soon warmed up to being recorded. Kago and Tsuji were accepted by Morning Musume's fans quickly and they ended up being dubbed "The Twins" due to their similair looks and personalities. The girls each developed a strong fanbase each in time although fans found it difficult to think of one without the other. As well as being known as "The Twins", Kago and Tsuji were also known as "Two Top" as on a television special they were both the least knowledgeable when given surprise pop quizzes on several grade school problems, Tsuji being the least knowledgeable and Kago being the second least knowledgeable.

2001

along with Yaguchi Mari from Morning Musume and Tsuji Nozomi, Kago approached Tsunku with a proposal of the formation of a new sub-group. The idea was that the group could only have members who were 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in height or shorter. It was to show that 'Small people could acieve Big things'. Mika Todd from Coconuts Musume was added before the group's debut and the group recieved their name, Mini Moni. The group's debut single became a #1 hit.

Kago also participated in the 2001 shuffle unit, 3nin Matsuri and competed against the other two units for sales, eventually beating the others and rising to the top.

2002

she participated in a drama alongside her fellow Morning Musume members titled "Angel Hearts". She also released a duo photobook with Tsuji Nozomi. Kago continued her career in Morning Musume during 2002 and into 2003 as well as Mini Moni and Tanpopo. She also participated in the 2002 Happiness Groups as a member of Happy 7.

2003

Kago released her first solo photobook and continued with her duties in Morning Musume and Mini Moni, remaining active in each. In a surprise move by Tsunku, Morning Musume was split into two halfs - Morning Musume Otome Gumi and Morning Musume Sakura Gumi - so that the large group could perform in smaller towns that could not hold the larger numbers the full ensemble needed. Kago was placed into "Sakura Gumi" and released two singles with the group before the groups merged together and formed Morning Musume once more. Kago was included in the 2003 Elemental Shuffle Groups as a member of SALT5.

2004

in August, Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi graduated from Morning Musume together, it announced by Tsunku. This was due to the two girls going on to form a seperate group within Hello! Project, this being the duo W. On August 1, 2004, they officially graduated from Morning Musume but they had been active as W before their official graduation. Ending their duties in both Morning Musume and Mini Moni (which was about to be disbanded due to the departure of Mika Todd), Tsuji and Kago would have been left at a complete loose end and so, Kago and Tsuji formed a new pop duo, W, which released a total of two albums and six singles.

In January 2004, Tsuji and Kago regained the "Hula Hoop World Record" title, Tsuji had lost, again. With a hoop measuring 4.08 m (13.4 ft) in diameter. They set their record during a live New Year's Day television special at Nippon Television Network, Tokyo, Japan.

W released an essay book in 2004 titled "U+U=W". In December 2004, Kago and Tsuji as W joined their fellow Hello! Project members on the 2004 shuffle unit single "ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!", credited to the H.P. All Stars.

2005

as a part of Mini Moni, Kago took part in Mini Moni's "Brementown Musicians", a TV show containing three main story lines (these belonging to Tsuji, Kago Ai and Takahashi Ai with Mika Todd appearing in a few episodes). In 2005 W released their second album, "2nd W". Kago also joined the concert unit "Hello! Project Shirogumi".

2006

Kago Ai smoking

W's activities slowed to a stop due to Kago Ai because, on February 9, it was confirmed that the magazine Friday (フライデー, Friday?) (the same one that provoked Yaguchi Mari's sudden departure from Morning Musume) would publish photos showing Kago smoking. The legal age for smoking in Japan is 20, and Kago had just turned 18 two days prior to the incident. On February 10, Hello! Project issued a press statement saying that the singer had been suspended "indefinitely", for one year. Tsuji appeared on television shows as a variety idol in this time. However Tsuji and Kago were kept apart and not allowed to communicate.

2007

Kago Ai with the 37-year-old man Febuary, 2007

Kago Ai returned after her punishment was over and according to an interview in the March 9, 2007 issue of Friday–the very same magazine responsible for her suspension – Kago revealed she had been serving tea, answering phones and doing assorted secretarial work at the offices of Up-Front Works, the agency behind Hello! Project, while her comeback as a part of W was prepared. Since January 23, 2007, when her employers found it fit for her to return to Tokyo, after she spent most of 2006 secluded at her family's residence in Nara.

In the same interview the young idol claimed to have had undergone several changes in regard to her outlook on life, to have become more responsible. Additionally she met up with the other members for the first time at Yokohama Arena, after a lengthy period of time, though the group couldn't quite recognize her at first, given the fact she had lost some weight.

On March 26, 2007 following a newly publicized scandal involving Kago, caught her once again smoking and was found to be romantically involved with a 37-year-old man, it was announced by the Up Front Agency that her contract had been cancelled. An English translation of the announcement: “To whom it may concern:

Regarding our client Kago Ai and the article in the weekly magazine that went on sale on March 26th, the information in the article has been verified with Kago herself, to our regret.

One year ago, when Kago was 17 and the smoking problem happened, we still considered her future in this company, and as punishment, she was imposed to house arrest in her parents' home. Seeing how she had progressed over that year, it was decided to start from scratch and start preparing for a comeback by bringing her to Tokyo and having her do clerical and other office duties, starting on January 23rd. Although this worked out well for two months, there was another incident and the comeback plan was abandoned. After consulting with the family, as she is a minor, it has been confirmed, and she has been released from her contract.

We're very sorry that it has come to this, and accept full responsibility.

We feel a renewed sense of responsibility for the future, especially when it comes to minors.

2007/3/26 Kawaguchi Yuukichi, Representative Director, Up Front Agency ” This led to W's disbandenment and Tsuji was once again at a loose end. On May 5, 2007, the Tokyo Broadcasting System's newscast reported that Kago's mother was trying to sign her to a new talent agency in her hometown of Nara. On August 25, 2007, an interview with Kago's mother in the magazine Josei Seven revealed that after parting company with Hello! Project, Kago left Japan and started residing in New York City.

2008

April 6, it was reported by "Yahoo! News" that Kago was returning to the entertainment industry. Also, in an interview by "OhmyNews", Kago admitted that she had begun smoking to feel more like an adult without realizing the impact it would have on her peers and young fans. She stated that she had actually not gone to New York, but rather to Los Angeles for three months in 2007 with "her boyfriend". She said she took the trip because she felt like a criminal in Japan. While in LA she met many new people who encouraged her (including Winona Ryder) and was able to reflect on her situation and begin her new life. She also admitted to having considered suicide and having inflicted self-injury upon herself by cutting her wrists. At the end of the interview, Kago states that even though she is now 20 years old and can legally smoke cigarettes, she no longer does or has any desire to do so.

On April 24, 2008, Kago announced on her personal blog website, "Biscuit Club", that she will be appearing in Hong Kong movie "Kung Fu Chef" with Sammo Hung.

On August 25, Ai Kago released a book entitled "Kago Ai LIVE ~ Kago Ai no Miseinen Hakusho".

2009

In January, FRIDAY reported a romance between Ai Kago (20) and actor Hidejiro Mizumoto (33), but the rumor was denied by Kago's agency at the time. Now, the matter has surfaced again, as Mizumoto's ex-wife is seeking damages against both Mizumoto and Kago.

Mizumoto and his wife, Asato (25), had divorced on January 8, before the FRIDAY article had appeared. But Asato claims that the reason for their divorce is that Mizumoto and Kago were having an affair. As a result, she is seeking monetary damages, reportedly on the order of 10 million yen from Kago and 50 million yen from Mizumoto. She is also asking for some of Mizumoto's assets and child support for their three children. The judge has apparently already received Asato's claim, which means that the matter may be taken to court if it is not settled.

Kago met Mizumoto through his mother, the psychic Yoshiko Shimo, whom Kago had often consulted before her comeback to show business. The pair reportedly became intimate after working together on the movie "Benten-dori no Hitobito," which opens in April.

Asato plans to submit Mizumoto's script for "Benten-dori no Hitobito" as evidence. In the back, Kago wrote a message to Mizumoto, which included lines like "I love you" and "If we get married, I want to have a boy," ending jokingly with "This message is a work of fiction."

It is also said that Kago has been living with Mizumoto in his apartment in Kanagawa since the end of last year. Asato has obtained photographic evidence of Kago's underwear, clothes, cosmetics, and other items at the apartment. Kago's agency has declined to comment.

Kago Ai will be a presenter on the "SKYPerfecTV! Awards 2009" that will air on 11/12.

Discography

Albums

#TitleRelease Date1st Week SalesTotal SalesTop Rank
1 Untitled2010.03.31------

Singles

#TitleRelease Date1st Week SalesTotal SalesTop Rank
1 no hesitAtIon2009.06.24 1,7571,757*#52

Photobooks

Solo Photobooks

1st PB2nd PB3rd PB

Group Photobooks

1st PBFile:pocketvol1.jpg3rd PB4th PB

Works

Movies

TV Doramas

Musicals

Radio

Other Information

As an Author

Book cover of "Kago Ai LIVE ~ Kago Ai no Miseinen Hakusho"

On August 25, 2008, Ai Kago released a book entitled "Kago Ai LIVE ~ Kago Ai no Miseinen Hakusho" On a July 13, 2008 post to her personal blog website, "Biscuit Club", Ai Kago describes the book as "a book where I talk to young teens about their various troubles and dreams. Idols-in-waiting, exchange students, high school girls, otaku. The teenage years can be tough, and I had a lot of troubles in those days. But it's important to break through those troubles."

Hula Hoop World Record

Kago — along with Tsuji in a separate individual attempt — regained the record on 1 January 2004, with a hoop measuring 4.08 m (13.4 ft) in diameter. They set their record during a live New Year's Day television special at Nippon Television Network, Tokyo, Japan. Kago and Tsuji shared the record in the 2005 and 2006 editions of the Guinness Book, although Tsuji's name was misspelled in the 2005 edition. It was subsequently corrected in the 2006 edition.

Kago and Tsuji's record was eventually broken again in September 2005 by Ashrita Furman (USA), although it happened too late in the year to displace them from the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book. They are no longer listed as of the 2007 edition, and it is not known if Tsuji ever intends to make another attempt.

Trivia

Links

Retrieved from "http://j-ongaku.org/wiki/Kago_Ai"
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