Ai Takahashi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ai Takahashi
Takahashi in February 2023
Background information
Native name	高橋 愛
Also known as	Ai-chan (愛ちゃん)
Born	(1986-09-14) September 14, 1986 (age 38) Sakai, Fukui, Japan
Occupation(s)	Singer actress
Musical career
Genres	J-pop
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Zetima
Signature

Ai Takahashi (高橋 愛, born September 14, 1986) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was part of a group called Hello! Project and is best known as the leader of Morning Musume. She was also a member of the popular group Mini Moni.

Ai Takahashi's Music Journey

Joining Morning Musume (2001–2011)

In 2001, Ai Takahashi joined the Japanese idol group Morning Musume. She was part of the group's fifth generation of performers. Other new members included Makoto Ogawa, Asami Konno, and Risa Niigaki.

Her audition was a three-day training camp. There, she learned a new song, a dance, and a script. Ai was one of nine people chosen from 25,000 applicants.

Her first song with the group was "Mr. Moonlight: Ai no Big Band". She also appeared on their fourth album, 4th Ikimasshoi!. In 2002, she joined a special group called Happy 7. They released the song "Shiawase Beam! Suki Suki Beam!".

In 2003, Ai joined the Morning Musume spin-off group Mini Moni. She appeared in their movie Mini Moni ja Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!. Later that year, she was part of Morning Musume Sakuragumi. This group sang slower songs on two EPs, "Hare Ame Nochi Suki" and "Sakura Mankai". She also joined 7Air, an R&B-inspired group.

Ai's singing became more important on the second Mini Moni album, Mini Moni Songs 2 (2004). She also had a bigger role in Morning Musume's songs like "Roman: My Dear Boy". She even sang a duet with the famous producer Tsunku.

In 2005, Ai had a main singing role in Morning Musume's song "The Manpower!!!". She continued to have important singing parts in later songs. That summer, she joined another special group called Elegies.

In 2006, Ai played the main character, Sapphire, in Ribon no Kishi The Musical. This musical was a team-up between Hello! Project and the Takarazuka Revue. On July 2, Ai released her first solo song, "Yume Kara Samete".

After the group's leader, Hitomi Yoshizawa, left in May 2007, Ai became the new sub-leader. Then, on June 1, 2007, she became the leader of Morning Musume.

Ai was also the captain of the Hello! Project kickball team, Metro Rabbits H.P..

In 2008, Ai joined a new group called High-King. This group helped promote Morning Musume's Cinderella the Musical. Ai played Cinderella in the musical.

In July 2008, it was announced that Ai and fellow Morning Musume member Risa Niigaki would play the 80s pop duo Pink Lady. They acted in a TV drama called Hitmaker Aku Yuu Monogatari.

Ai Takahashi performing at Morning Musume's Platinum 9 Disc concert tour in May 2009.

By January 2009, Ai and Risa Niigaki had been in the group the longest. They were among the few members who stayed for seven years or more. On February 1, 2009, Ai also became the leader of all of Hello! Project.

In December 2009, Ai helped promote the video game Final Fantasy XIII in Japan.

On January 9, 2011, it was announced that Ai would leave Morning Musume later that year.

Ai's last song with Morning Musume was "Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun dayo!/ Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai". It included a solo song by Ai called "Jishin Motte Yume o Motte Tobitatsu Kara". This song was released on her birthday, September 14.

On September 30, 2011, Ai graduated from Morning Musume and Hello! Project. This happened at the Nippon Budokan during the "Ai Believe" tour. She passed her leadership role to Risa Niigaki.

After Morning Musume (2011–Present)

2011 Her first role after leaving the group was playing Sarah in the musical Dance of the Vampires. She was also cast in a stage play called La Patisserie.

2012 On May 6, Ai announced she would be in the TV drama Taira no Kiyomori. She played Tsuneko, the wife of Kiyomori's oldest son. She also starred in a stage play called High School Uta Gekidan☆Otoko-gumi. Ai also voiced a character in the popular anime series Detective Conan.

2013 Ai starred in a stage play called Moshimo Kokumin ga Shusho o Erandara. She appeared in a commercial for insect repellent, "Ai to Kumao," which was her first solo commercial. She also modeled for Vanquish Venus fashion magazine. Ai went to Thailand for Japan Festa 2013, where she performed and met fans. She held two birthday concerts, but one was canceled due to a typhoon. Ai released her first style book, "AI am I," which shared her fashion and makeup tips. She became a regular on the TV drama Jikken Keiji Totori 2. Ai also acted in the musicals Merrily We Roll Along and The Wedding Singer. She filmed the main role in the movie Kara-age☆USA.

2014 Ai appeared in another commercial for the insect repellent Mushuda. Her movie Kara-age☆USA was released in theaters. She also released her second style book, I have AI.

2015 Ai was a judge at a Hello! Project event. She joined a girl group called "Datsumo Musume" with other Morning Musume graduates. This group promoted hair removal services. She also worked with the clothing brand PEACH JOHN for a collection called "LOVE & PEACH". Ai collaborated with the fashion brand Haco for the LOVE&PEACE Project 2015. This project raises money for children around the world. She also modeled for a new boot collection by ASBee.

2016 In spring 2016, Ai starred in Hoshi Boshi no Yakusoku. This was Japan's first live-action film made for a Fulldome Cinema. It was shown in her hometown's museum.

Ai Takahashi's Personal Life

On December 20, 2013, Ai Takahashi and her boyfriend, Koji Abe, announced their engagement. They got married on February 14, 2014. On June 2, 2014, they had a wedding ceremony in Hawaii with close friends and family. They held a reception on January 22, 2015. Many Morning Musume members attended, including Kei Yasuda, Rika Ishikawa, and Mizuki Fukumura.

Ai Takahashi's cousin, Riku Maeda, is a Japanese rapper and dancer. He is a member of the South Korean boy group NCT and its Japanese sub-unit NCT Wish.

Ai Takahashi's Music and Books

Studio Albums

Singles

Photo and Fashion Books

DVDs

Ai Takahashi's Acting Roles

Movies

TV Dramas

TV Shows

Radio Shows

See also

In Spanish: Ai Takahashi para niños