Author Topic: The Kago Ai Thread (加護亜依) (Read 258645 times)

muppet · « **Reply #400 on:** January 09, 2011, 09:08:02 AM »

My Aibon story:Read the interviews that she gives about how much pressure she was under during the zenith of her career (from age 12 to 16)- she was supporting her family, she felt her education was thrown to the wayside after joining H!P, she was becoming a young woman, but expected to keep to the super kawaii young teen image......unable to keep it all bottled in, she battled serious self-worth doubts, and made some choices that cost her dearly. The saddest thing that she said about it all was that she had learned that she cannot depend on anyone other than herself. Although I think she also meant that she couldn't blame others for her own problems, it was still an incredibly sad outlook for someone who has brought so much joy and happiness to her fans. Her attitude about coming back has been a joy to watch, and she has grown to be a strong, yet sensitive young adult.
Favourite thing(s) about Aibon: Her spirit and determination are very admirable.
Favourite Aibon PB: KAGO ai >GO ON THE JOURNEY! (published in 2003, so she was 15. All pictures completely modest and appropriate.)
Favourite H!P group with Aibon: Tanpopo (Lineup of Ai, Mari, Rika and Kaori was probably the most talent concentrated in any sub group)
A memorable performance: Ai did a show that started with her scolding kids who were smoking, and others who did not follow polite society rules. The show was supposed to be a measure of atonement for her own transgressions. But as the series continues, it takes on a more serious tone. Her meeting with a man who was considering suicide in a lonely forest was extremely moving. Ai, despite her own self doubts, is a complicated and serious human being with great empathy for those on the outside of society.
A picture that I like:Not sure how to post pictures, but any of the pictures from above mentioned PB are great.
A video that I like: Uploader hpraXYZ has put together some interesting film of Ai with her beautiful song "Children of the Night"

Other comments: Looking forward to her continued success, but more importantly wishing her health and happiness.

J-Triumf · « **Reply #401 on:** January 09, 2011, 09:24:56 AM »

An interesting development has...developed recently in regards to Aibon's employment status, at least speculated at another forum. Her Biscuit Club blog hasn't been updated by her since December 6; last actual post was by her staff as a placeholder. Also, her Twitter account no longer links to any website in the basic info section, and the list of people she follows is now at zero. Agency change maybe?

At the same time, however, she's still very active on Twitter, using it to recently assure everyone that she's doing fine and that she may have some good news to provide very soon. Apparently she's also currently somewhere in Southeast Asia, possibly Thailand or Malaysia. I guess there's no other choice but to wait for her return to Japan to see what's up.

In short, look at yourself, now look at Kago. Now back to yourself, now back to Kago...

She's on a horse.

J-Triumf · « **Reply #402 on:** February 01, 2011, 07:48:06 AM »

Looks like this is the good news she was talking about...a brand new blog:
http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai

Apparently she's just going by the name "Aibon" now. Still don't know what this means about her employment/activity status, at least I don't know what to speculate yet.

At least she's still looking as good as ever:

Quote from: Afro_Stud on February 01, 2011, 07:22:42 AM

shainingj · « **Reply #403 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:44:35 AM »

^ ^thanks for the info.
my heart bleed for her...
HIP didn't manage her scandal/problems well.
they should've have guide her accordingly since she's underage then.
I'm glad that she survived and still fighting.
Hope she reunite with her fellow 4th gen family.
More power Aibon.

J-Triumf · « **Reply #404 on:** February 06, 2011, 02:07:30 PM »

Hey, look who was at UFC 126!

http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=181

Quote

That was OMG

daigong · « **Reply #405 on:** February 06, 2011, 11:49:25 PM »

My respect level for AIbon just went way up LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL AWESOME!!! Dana White should get her to be a Ring Girl

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIBON!!

donkey · « **Reply #406 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:17:02 AM »

Wow. Kind of out of left field with her being at a UFC event.

muppet · « **Reply #407 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:59:55 AM »

Aibon clearly made an impression on Gackt...further evidence:

J-Triumf · « **Reply #408 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:30:45 PM »

Damn, she got a big party going on in Vegas...
http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=197

She even got a tattoo?!?!
http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=217

And whose kid is this?

http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=224

In any case...

お誕生日おめでとう加護ちゃん！

(an excuse to post this remix again

)

Whatever secret project she's working on, I hope it's big.

Tuffty · « **Reply #409 on:** February 09, 2011, 08:16:09 AM »

Happy Belated Birthday Kago!!

I'm not sure if the tattoo is a good look...

muppet · « **Reply #410 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:55:39 PM »

And whose kid is this?

[It's a recent picture of Aibon when she met up with Mari Yaguchi. Mari,on the left, shown with her natural hair color]:

J-Triumf · « **Reply #411 on:** February 27, 2011, 12:28:53 PM »

^ IT'S FUNNY CUZ MARI IS REALLY SHORT

Cross-posting: Mini Moni mini reunion!

Quote from: J-Triumf on February 27, 2011, 10:20:06 AM

Mika's been in hiding for a while...but look who found her!

http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=494

Apparently she's on vacation in Japan, and Aibon just happened to run into her. Let's see a jazz collabo!

Quote from: muppet on February 27, 2011, 11:02:33 AM

Mika looking lovely as always. Ai says on her blog (rough translation):
"After 7 years away from each other, I met Mika chan. Now living in Los Angeles, she is in Japan for a vacation.
In the small amount of time we had to meet, we had tea together. Nostalgic chat about old times was blooming like a flower.
Even after all this time we are friends"

I've always wondered when these two were ever gonna meet up again, considering Mika isn't restricted by UFA and Aibon keeps returning to LA. Nevertheless, I'm glad to see that they're still on good terms with each other after all this time.

daigong · « **Reply #412 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:24:19 AM »

who going???

Quote from: Tokyo Hive

Kago Ai to hold a charity live in June!
by Kanki on May 15, 2011 at 1:11 am

Kago Ai announced on her blog that she would be holding a special charity live on Sunday, June 5th, called “Kago Ai Presents Special Charity Live”.

The event will take place at the Jazz House alfie in Roppongi and will open at 18:30 (6:30pm) with the first live being at 19:30 (7:30pm) and the second live being at 21:00 (9:00pm).

Kago explained that last month she visited a shelter in Miharu city in Fukushima prefecture to deliver food. She is planning to go again sometime this month, but she asked herself, “what is something more that I can do?” After that, she came up with the idea of a charity live.

Kago explains in her blog that despite it being at a Jazz House, it won’t only be Jazz, but a variety of things. Working together with her band members and alfie, she plans on donating all the proceeds from the charity live to disaster relief from the Great Tohoku Earthquake.

Kago plans on giving more details later, but if you’re in Japan, check out Kago’s live and help support a great cause!

source:
http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=943
http://www.diamondblog.jp/kago_ai/?p=947
http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/05/kago-ai-to-hold-a-charity-live-in-june/

OMG I quoted JPH!P member Kanki so

Mucca · « **Reply #413 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:16:40 PM »

Kago still likes 'em old, and it's still getting her into trouble, apparently.

Quote from: Tokyograph

Kago Ai addresses rumors of relationship, management troubles
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph

Former Morning Musume member Kago Ai (23) updated her blog with a lengthy entry on Tuesday, addressing an article in this week’s issue of Josei Jishin about her personal life and career. While Kago clarified that some of the reported statements are true, she also said that there are several parts that are untrue.

Josei Jishin’s article said that Kago was placed under suspension by her former management agency, Mainstream, stemming from her newest relationship. The man is said to be a restaurant manager in his 40s, whom she met last August. The two are currently said to be living together.

The man’s identity was further revealed to be an ex-boyfriend of singer Kahala Tomomi. There were reports last year that he committed domestic violence against Kahala, though those accusations have been denied.

Kago apparently had a conflict with Mainstream ever since she began dating the man, as she would cancel work at the last minute. As a result, the agency is said to have suspended her. In January, she reportedly asked for independence but was denied because her contract still had 2 more years remaining. She launched her new blog without approval from her agency, and she has even held performances without going through her management.

In her blog response to the various media reports on the matter, Kago acknowledged that she began having issues with Mainstream around last October, and an agreement could not be reached. In November, her lawyer legally dissolved her contract with the agency. Mainstream still had objections after that, but she says that negotiations are already over.

Kago did not give a clear statement about the man she is rumored to be dating, but she did say that he is one of many people who has been helping her with her ongoing transition to a new management office.

Near the end of her message, she also assured everyone that she would not betray her fans again, referring to the past scandals that have affected her career.

(via Tokyograph)

Slack · « **Reply #414 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:25:45 PM »

I'm pretty sure there's a joke in there about Kago not wanting to be Mainstream.

...oh wait.

J-Triumf · « **Reply #415 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:39:17 PM »

That certainly clears up her current agency situation and the crypticness of that latest blog entry. Again with the middle-aged small business owners...

But as long as she can still keep finding work and doing what she loves, more power to her...I'm only worried about how her termination might affect her ability to sign with a more notable company and/or get more prominent work.

Quote from: Slack on June 07, 2011, 09:25:45 PM

I'm pretty sure there's a joke in there about Kago not wanting to be Mainstream.

...oh wait.

Here you go:

shainingj · « **Reply #416 on:** June 08, 2011, 05:16:58 PM »

uhmm think she likes older men ne.
well, it doesn't matter as long as she doesn't neglect her work.
hope she find an agency and please don't waste your talent.

Slack · « **Reply #417 on:** June 08, 2011, 11:21:05 PM »

Well, it sounds like that's exactly the thing.
It sounds like she DOES neglect her work commitments.

I can imagine a little more of this stuff and pretty soon no management agencies will want her.
Then she'll have to be doing more self-promotion, I guess.
I just hope her career doesn't turn into a slow-motion train wreck.

muppet · « **Reply #418 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:19:28 AM »

“The man’s identity was further revealed to be an ex-boyfriend of singer Kahala Tomomi. There were reports last year that he committed domestic violence against Kahala, though those accusations have been denied.” Spidey senses tingling afer reading that, and not in a good way.....Kahala Tomomi has had many problems in the past few years,and there are certain types who like to take advantage of vulnerable women.....Ai needs her family and close friends right now, her career is secondary....

muppet · « **Reply #419 on:** June 09, 2011, 02:31:19 AM »

With thanks to poster romanobritish