Ayumi Hamasaki 

Ayumi Hamasaki was born on October 2, 1978, at Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. She started modeling when seven. Her first drama was Twins Kyuushi. She turned her interest into acting; she moved to Tokuo by herself after graduated junior high school. She joined Sun Music Agency, which produced many popular female idols, like Seiko Matsuda, Noriko Sakai, and Yumi Adachi. She played in seven dramas and several varieties. Hamasaki acted in four movies, her first movie was "Sumomomomo". Beside acting, Hamasaki also took "swimming suit" photographs for some comic magazines and male magazines, but Hamasaki didn't like it. Then Hamasaki changed her image and name to AYUMI, she released a single "NOTHING FROM NOTHING" as a hip hop singer. But those actions didn't bring popularity to Hamasaki

Until April, 1998, Hamasaki came back to the JPOP world, she seemed found her route. She released her debut single, "poker face". From "poker face", she began to write lyrics for her songs. Her 1st and 2nd single were No. 20 in Oricon Chart. Her 3rd single "Trust" and 4th single "For My Dear" also stayed in No.9t. When her 7th single "LOVE ~Destiny~" released, with the help of famous musician, Tsunku, it made a big hit and went to No.1. It really prepared a successful road for Hamasaki's career.

Hamasaki's most singles and albums went to No.1 on the chart and sold million copies. She won many awards and broke different records in Japan pop music history. Hamasaki is also a very versatile artist. She has talent on fashion, image, writing songs. She brought trend of nail design in Japan, even Taiwan and Hong Kong. She won some fashion awards in Japan. She has opened her own fashion store. Now, Hamasaki is one of the most popular and influential female artist in Asia.

Link: Interview with Time Magazines.