Ai Takahashi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ai Takahashi
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Takahashi in February 2023
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
高橋 愛
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| Also known as | Ai-chan (愛ちゃん) |
| Born | September 14, 1986 Sakai, Fukui, Japan |
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| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2001–present |
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Ai Takahashi (高橋 愛, Takahashi Ai) (born September 14, 1986) is a Japanese singer and actress. She was a very important member of Hello! Project, a big group of Japanese idol singers. Ai Takahashi is best known for being the leader of the popular idol group Morning Musume and also of Hello! Project until 2011. She was also part of a popular smaller group called Mini Moni.
Contents
Biography
Morning Musume Career (2001–2011)
In 2001, Ai Takahashi joined Morning Musume. This was a famous Japanese idol group. She joined with three other new members. To join, she went through a tough audition. It included a three-day training camp. She had to learn a new song, a dance, and a script. Out of 25,000 people, only nine were chosen for the camp, and she was one of them!
Her first song with Morning Musume 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 Takahashi joined another Morning Musume group called Mini Moni. She took the place of another member. She appeared in Mini Moni's movie, Mini Moni ja Movie: Okashi na Daibōken!. Later that year, she was part of Morning Musume Sakuragumi. This group sang slower songs. She also joined 7Air, which was a group inspired by R&B music.
Ai Takahashi's singing became more important in Mini Moni's second album, Mini Moni Songs 2. She also had a bigger role in Morning Musume's songs from 2004, like "Roman: My Dear Boy". She even sang a duet with a famous producer named Tsunku.
In 2005, she had a main singing role in Morning Musume's song "The Manpower!!!". She continued to have important singing parts in their later songs. That summer, she joined another special group called Elegies.
In 2006, Ai Takahashi played the main character, Sapphire, in a musical. It was called Ribon no Kishi The Musical. This musical was a team-up between Hello! Project and a famous Japanese theater company. On July 2, she released her first and only solo song, "Yume Kara Samete".
After the leader of Morning Musume left in 2007, Ai Takahashi became the new sub-leader. Soon after, on June 1, 2007, she became the leader of Morning Musume. She was also the captain of the Hello! Project kickball team, Metro Rabbits H.P..
In 2008, Ai Takahashi joined a new Hello! Project group called High-King. This group helped promote Morning Musume's Cinderella the Musical. Ai Takahashi played Cinderella in that musical. She and another Morning Musume member, Risa Niigaki, also played the 80s pop duo Pink Lady in a TV show.
By 2009, Ai Takahashi and Risa Niigaki had been in Morning Musume for a very long time. They were among the few members who stayed in the group for seven years or more. On February 1, 2009, Ai Takahashi also became the leader of all of Hello! Project.
In December 2009, she helped promote the video game Final Fantasy XIII in Japan. In September 2010, she became the first Morning Musume member to turn 24 while still in the group.
On January 9, 2011, it was announced that Ai Takahashi would leave Morning Musume later that year. Her last song with Morning Musume was released on her birthday, September 14. It included a solo song by her.
On September 30, 2011, Ai Takahashi officially left Morning Musume and Hello! Project. This happened at a big concert. She passed her leader role to Risa Niigaki.
Post Morning Musume (2011–present)
After leaving Morning Musume, Ai Takahashi continued her career.
2011
Her first role after graduation was the main character, Sarah, in the musical Dance of the Vampires. She was also cast in a stage play called La Patisserie.
2012
In May, Ai Takahashi announced she would be in a TV drama called Taira no Kiyomori. She played a character named Tsuneko. She also starred in a stage play called High School Uta Gekidan☆Otoko-gumi. It was announced that she would voice a character in the popular anime series Detective Conan.
2013
In February, it was announced that Ai Takahashi would star in a stage play called Moshimo Kokumin ga Shusho o Erandara. In March, she appeared in her first solo TV commercial for insect repellent. In May, she modeled for a fashion magazine.
In July, she went to Thailand for an event called Japan Festa 2013. She held a free mini-concert there. She also had two birthday concerts planned for September. In October, she released her first style book, "AI am I". This book talked about her time in Morning Musume and her ideas about fashion and makeup. Ai Takahashi also became a regular on the TV drama Jikken Keiji Totori 2. She was cast in two musicals, Merrily We Roll Along and The Wedding Singer. She also started filming for a movie called Kara-age☆USA.
2014
In March, she appeared in another commercial for the insect repellent Mushuda. Her movie Kara-age☆USA was released in theaters in September. She also released her second style book, I have AI.
2015
Ai Takahashi was a judge at a Hello! Project event. In April, she joined a girl group called "Datsumo Musume" with other Morning Musume graduates. This group helped promote hair removal services. In July, she worked with the clothing brand PEACH JOHN for a collection. In September, she worked with the fashion brand Haco for a project that raises money for children around the world. In October, she modeled for a new boot collection.
2016
In spring 2016, Ai Takahashi starred in Hoshi Boshi no Yakusoku. This was Japan's first live-action film made for a special dome cinema. It was shown in her hometown.
Personal Life
On December 20, 2013, Ai Takahashi announced she was engaged to her boyfriend, Koji Abe. 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 wedding party on January 22, 2015. Many members of Morning Musume attended this party.
Discography and Books
Ai Takahashi has released music both as a solo artist and with groups. She has also released many photo books and style books. These books often feature her fashion, makeup tips, and personal stories. She has also released DVDs.
Acts
Ai Takahashi has acted in films, TV dramas, and stage plays. She has also appeared on various TV shows and radio programs throughout her career.
See also
In Spanish: Ai Takahashi para niños
