Profile
In 1997, Aya Ueto participated in the 7th All-Japan National Young Beauty contest, where she received a special award from the judges. Her discovery led to many TV commercial deals, which eventually started her acting career.
In 1999, she formed the J-pop band Z-1 with Mami Nejiki, Mai Fujiya, and Manami Nishiwaki. They released five singles before breaking up, but Aya went on to start a solo career when she signed with Pony Canyon two years later. She released her first single, "Pureness," in 2002. It peaked at #4 on the Oricon charts and became the first female artist debut single in 3 years and 3 months to enter the Top 5 since Kyoko Fukada. Since then, she has released thirteen singles and six albums. Throughout her soon to be five year old solo musical career she has collaborated with the likes of Tetsuro Oda, RYOJI (from Ketsumeishi), Toshihiko Takamizawa (from The Alfee), Toko Furuuchi and Suguru Shimabukuro (from Begin).
Aya began her acting career in May 1999 in the movie "Killer of Paraiso". In 2000 she received her first role in a drama, Namida wo Fuite. In 2001, she played a part in Kinpachi-sensei, and her performance greatly boosted her popularity. She starred in several later dramas, including Koukou Kyoushi 2003, Hitonatsu no Papa e, and Ace o Nerae!. She also ventured into the big screen in famed film director Ryuhei Kitamura's 2003 blockbuster Azumi and in its sequel, Azumi 2: Death or Love in 2005.
She is often said to physically resemble Japanese star Momoe Yamaguchi and is widely regarded to be one of the biggest idols in Japan today. She is often mentioned as a "super idol". As of 2007, Aya Ueto remains ubiquitous in Japan, appearing constantly on magazines and in commercials.
Trivia
- Her father is from Hokkaido and her mother is from Ishigakijima (Ishigaki Island), Okinawa.
- Has two older brothers, one 16 years older and the other 2 years older than her
- Her brother Makoto wrote the song "fermata" which was included in her 4th studio album.
- She loves children and would have become a preschool teacher if she had not become an actress.
- 2004 Income: 59,080,000 Yen (approx)
Movies
Movie
Year - Film - Role
1999 - Satsujinsha Killer of Paraiso - Hikari
2002 - Return to Never Land - Jane (Japanese voice)
2003 - Azumi - Azumi
2004 - Install - Asako Nozawa
2005 - Azumi 2: Death or Love - Azumi
2005 - Ashita Genki ni na~re! - Kayoko (voice)
2007 - Piano no Mori - Kai Ichinose (voice)
Kaze/Okuru kotoba is Ueto Aya's eight double A-side single+DVD. It was released June 16, 2004 by the Pony Canyon label. "Kaze" was the theme song of the NHK Anime "Nintama Rantarou" and "Okuru kotoba", a cover of Tetsuya Takeda, was used as the theme song for PS2 Game "3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei densetsu no kyoudan ni tate".More/Less
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"Pureness" is Aya Ueto's solo debut single. "Pureness" peaked at #4 selling 46,140 copies its first week but on August 31, 2002, it managed to climb to #1 beating Ken Hirai's "Ookina Furudokei" and BoA's "VALENTI" for that day. "Pureness" was the first debut single with no tie-up in 3 years to enter the Top 5. It is also her second best selling single.More/Less
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"Namida no Niji/SAVE ME" is Aya Ueto's fifteenth solo single and second in 2007. It was released on May 30, 2007. "Namida no Niji" will be used as the theme song for the drama "Hotelier" starring Aya herself. "Namida no Niji" is also the first song that Aya co-wrote. The second A-side, "SAVE ME", will be used as theme song for the TBS sports program "J Spo".More/Less
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"Ai no Tameni." is Aya Ueto's seventh solo single. "Ai no Tameni." peaked at #6 selling 31,006 copies its first week and became a long seller.31,006 copies its first week and became a long seller. "Ai no Tameni." served as ending theme for the live action drama adaption of the hit manga/anime, "Ace wo Nerae!" (starring Aya herself). It was produced by Tetsuro Oda (who composed countless hits for Nanase Aikawa, ZARD, etc.). "Ai no Tameni." remains her best selling single to date.More/Less
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Yume no chikara is Ueto Aya's eleventh single. It was released June 8, 2005 by the Pony Canyon label. It was used as the ending song of TV Asahi Drama "Attack No.1". The single was produced by Takamizawa Toshishiko of THE ALFEE.
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Yume no chikara is Ueto Aya's eleventh single. It was released June 8, 2005 by the Pony Canyon label. It was used as the ending song of TV Asahi Drama "Attack No.1". The single was produced by Takamizawa Toshishiko of THE ALFEE.
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See more Aya Ueto picture and media Blog at www.ayasuki.com
