Name : Ayumi Hamasaki
Nickname : Ayu
Birthplace: Fukuoka
BD: 1978 October 2
Blood type: A
Height: 155cm
In 1991, at the age of 13, she used the name "Hamasaki Kurumi" to act "Twins Teacher". Satou Aiko, Suzuki Kyoka, etc. also appeared in that drama. Afterwards, she was interested in acting drama. Ayu was belonged to "SOS model agency" at this period. After her graduation, she went to Tokyo alone and began her career as an actress. However, her acting career wasn't a smooth one. In 1994, Ayu signed up with "Sun Music Production" - Adachi Yumi, Matsuda Seiko and Sakai Noriko once belonged to this company. Ayu was full of hopes that she would be as famous as her idol Miyazawa Rie in the entertainment industry.
In this period, Ayu had acted about 7 dramas, and the most impressive one was "Miseinen" - she acted as a rich politician's daughter named Hitomi. She also appeared in TV Asahi "H.I.P. - Hot Information Press" which is a TV guide programme on popular places and restaurants in Japan. At times, she also performed in NHK "Idol On Stage". By then, she choosed to use her own name instead of her artist name.
She also acted in 4 movies. Her debut movie is "SU MO MO MO MO" which is now available in VHS tape and VCD. Though she had acted about 4 movies, and tried to raise from supporting role to a leading role, her acting was not impressed by the general public. Like any other Japanese female artists, she did several swimsuit shots for magazines in order to gain her popularities in 1994. Her debut swinsuit photo album is "Terima Kashi" - released in April 1995. Indeed, Ayu gained her popularties after the debut photo album. However, she was sick of such assignment, like put on bikini and making a sexy seductive pose. Finally, Ayu made her decision which is different from the path for mainstream idol singer.
On 21 Sep 1995, she had changed her image and released a Hip Hop single "NOTHING FROM NOTHING" under the artist name "AYUMI". She claimed to be the youngest Hip Hop rapper ever. During this period, EAST END X YURI was very popular and had brought in the J - Rap culture to the Jpop musical industry, Ayu made her first move to be rapper - a path very different.
from the early stage of her singing career. And on 1 Dec 1995, she released her debut EP "NOTHING FROM NOTHING". Since then, she returned a B-class idol and disappeared in Jpop until 1996. She took up another role in a drama "Yamino Papuruai". In 1997, the name "AYUMI" seemed to be disappeared in the entertainment industry. Rumours said that she had some arguements with her management company which failed to rise up her popularity despite several attempts.
