Who is Ayumi Hamasaki?

Ayumi Hamasaki is a Japanese singer, songwriter, model, and actress. Born on October 2, 1978 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, she is one of the most successful artists in the J-Pop genre. She is commonly referred to as “Ayu” by her fans. With over 50 million records sold as of 2019, she is one of Japan's best-selling artists of all time.

Ayumi Hamasaki's Career

Ayumi Hamasaki began her career as a model in 1994 and later entered the music industry in 1998 with the release of her debut album, A Song for XX. Since then, she has released several successful studio albums and singles, including her most recent work, Five (2018). She has also ventured into acting with appearances on television shows such as Naoki Hanzawa (2013) and Unnatural (2018).

Awards and Accomplishments

Hamasaki has won numerous awards throughout her career. In 2000, she received the Japan Gold Disc Award for New Artist of the Year. In 2002, she won the Tokyo Sports Grand Prix Artist Award. She was also nominated for Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2009. In addition to her awards and accolades, she was appointed as a Special Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2006.

Personal Life

In 2011, Hamasaki married Austrian actor Manuel Schwarz. Their marriage lasted for four years before they divorced in 2015. She currently resides in Tokyo with her pet dogs.