ayu Divorce Article from Cyzo Online

Original article from here.

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“No Splitting of Fortune” Covenant? The Failure of Hamasaki Ayumi’s “Divorce Promotion”
23 January 2012.

Singer Hamasaki Ayumi, who married Austrian-born actor Manuel Schwarz on New Year’s Day last year, has expectedly announced a “lightning divorce”. According to ayu, the reason for divorce was that their initial plans to migrate to the US were disrupted by the Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster in March. Witnessing the destruction, a strong “reluctance to leave Japan” grew within ayu, and she started to drift apart from her husband, who lives in Los Angeles. She explained that “before we knew it, the emotional distance had grown too large”.

In other words, the two were in a “long-distance marriage”, with no semblance of a domestic married life together.

“With a drive-thru wedding ceremony in Las Vegas, she did not even register the marriage in Japan. As such, her marital status is not “divorced” but “single”. It seems that she had always anticipated a divorce, as covenants stating that “the fortune will not be split in case of a divorce” and “no reparation is to be paid” were allegedly signed even before the wedding ceremony.” (Entertainment Authority)

Thinking back to New Year’s Eve last year, one day before the marriage announcement on New Year’s Day, ayu performed on NHK’s “Kouhaku Utagassen” dressed in a pure white wedding gown. This well-preparedness incited rumors within the entertainment circle that this was all just “promotion for the new song”.

As ayu has not had a hit song in years, rumors about the recent divorce being a publicity stunt are also going about. ayu has always been good at self-promotion. In the past, when she was dating TOKIO’s Tomoya Nagase, there was a piece of news about them “returning from a holiday, holding hands”. At that time, the one who tipped off the press about the returning couple was one of ayu’s staff members, another Entertainment Authority claimed.

However, if this divorce is really a publicity stunt, it is truly a failed attempt. Her citing the “disaster” as a reason for divorce invited much accusation. Moreover, with her working in the Middle East now, flames such as “Wasn’t she reluctant to leave Japan?!” and “Is she running away overseas now?!” are many. Even ayu’s “magic” isn’t working this time round……

ayu Divorce Article from modelpress Online

Original article here.

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Hamasaki Ayumi’s First Tweet after Divorce “Never Regret Anything”
23 January 2012. 10:49:02

On the morning of 23/1/2012, singer Hamasaki Ayumi updated her Twitter for the first time since the divorce.

On 16/1/2012, Hamasaki Ayumi announced her decision to divorce from Austrian actor husband Manuel Schwarz. She also tweeted a single message, saying that “TA is updated”, a contrast from her usual enthusiastic tweeting self.

Currently overseas, Hamasaki tweeted a message in English, “Never regret anything coz at one time it was exactly what u wanted…”, along with a photo. The image conveyed a message of progress, with a back view of Hamasaki running towards a translucent blue sea.

Fans’ comments include,

“The view of ayu-chan’s back as she runs towards the sea is so peaceful”
“ayu-chan!! I love you—! （ ; ; ）”
“Welcome back! ayu will always be ayu!”

and other such encouraging messages.

Dancer GO-MI blogs about graduation from A Troupe

Original blog entry here.

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New Year’s Greeting and Announcement
6 January 2012.

Happy New Year for 2012, 24th year of Heisei.

How did everyone spend their New Year’s? I returned to my old home after 18 long years, and spent a heartwarming New Year’s with my family.

First, an announcement I’ve already made via Twitter. Hamasaki Ayumi’s 2011 POWER OF MUSIC TOUR was my last time standing on ayu-chan’s stage. I’ve graduated.

I’ve received many warm messages via Twitter and this blog, and I’m really thankful for them.

I am sorry for not announcing this when the tour concluded on 19 October, that I wouldn’t be performing for Countdown Live. I feel really guilty for not talking about CDL and not replying all the messages encouraging me to “work hard at rehearsals”.

When I was 26, I took part in ayu-chan’s first tour. 12 years have since passed in no time, full of wondeful, memorable scenes. But as a 38-year-old now, this life no longer provides me with the urge to renew myself.

I was a victim of the Hanshin Earthquake Disaster, which struck when I graduated from my 3 years in university. Friends lost their lives, and caused a strong feeling of “I must spend my life doing what I really want to do!” to grow within me. Thus, I pursued a dance career.
When I was 23, I came to Tokyo. My days were filled with part-time jobs and dance lessons, and though it was tough, thinking back now makes me realize that they were the best and most fulfilling days I’ve had. I was still full of youthful energy then.
When I was around 25, I became skilled enough to take on jobs as a dancer. At 26, I went for an audition for ayu-chan’s troupe. The audition then was held by Peco-san, and I really thank her for giving me that chance to enter the troupe.
And, from then until now, I have devoted my entire life to dancing in the troupe.

I know that I should be grateful for this opportunity to be able to pursue what I want, but if I continue here for another 12 years, I’ll be 50. This time, I want to have a new vision for the next 12 years, and so I decided to graduate.

ayu-chan, all the staff, all the dancers past and present, band members; I thank you from my heart.

When the Tohoku Earthquake Disaster struck last year, my heart was terribly shaken, just like when the Hanshin Earthquake Disaster occurred. I had a vague wish to “do something” to help. I can choose to stay where I am, or to create my own place. To do things my own way. To take responsibility. To be useful to others. To do good… The earthquake stirred up all these thoughts in me once again.

Not a full year has passed since the earthquake, and I wish to treasure these feelings which have developed during this period.

I won’t quit dance, but maybe it has gone down on my list of priorities??
I still want to learn ballet, and I’ve fallen in love with teaching dance to others. I also wish to perform at club events.

I also finally got my fortune told! I’ll update more on this next time!

And then, actually, I am in the process of opening a store. It’s still a secret now, but it’ll be open by spring.

Same as everyone else, I’ll be going down to support ayu-chan at her tour this year.

I have so much more to say, but I will update Twitter and this blog again.

“As usual”, please support me this year too.

This was taken when I went to Barcelona end of last year.

I’ll update about that next time.

GO-MI

Otsubo Tsuyoshi