Chara (singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chara
|
|
|---|---|
| ちゃら | |
Chara performing live, 2011
|
|
| Born |
Miwa Watabiki
January 13, 1968 Kawaguchi, Japan
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Labels |
|
| Associated acts |
|
Miwa Watabiki (綿引 美和 (Watabiki Miwa)), known by her stage name Chara (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)), is a famous Japanese singer and actress. She was born on January 13, 1968. Chara is also a video jockey, which means she presents music videos on TV.
She started her music career in 1991 with her first song, Heaven. Chara is well-known for her song "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)". This song was the theme for the 1996 movie Swallowtail Butterfly, where she also acted. Other popular songs include "Yasashii Kimochi" from 1997 and "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange", a song she made with Judy and Mary singer Yuki. Later, Chara and Yuki formed a band together called Mean Machine.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Chara grew up in Kawaguchi, a city in Saitama, Japan. She began playing the piano when she was just four years old. By elementary school, she was already writing her own songs. In her first year of elementary school, she even performed a song she wrote, called "Sayonara" (サヨナラ, Goodbye), at a piano show.
Her nickname, Chara, came from a teacher in junior high school. She was so known by this name that some friends didn't even know her real name. She still uses it because she feels it helps her stay connected to her inner child. After high school, Chara went to a special music school in Tokyo. She studied piano there but left after one year.
From 1984, Chara played keyboards in different bands that didn't have record deals. She also worked part-time as a roller-skating waitress. In 1988, she decided to become a singer to perform her own songs. Her first live show was in 1990 at a place called Shinjuku Ruido.
Chara's Music Journey
Starting Her Career: 1991-1995
In 1990, Chara sent a demo tape to Sony Music. They liked it, and she signed a deal with Epic Records Japan. She recorded her first album in Tokyo and London in 1991. Her first song, Heaven, came out in September. In November, her first album, Sweet, was released. It reached number 64 on the music charts.
Chara's career really took off after her first tour in May 1992. She also got her own radio show called Yokohama Chara Machi 8-4-7 (横浜チャラ町8-4-7). Her second album, Soul Kiss, won an award in 1992 for best rock/pop album by a new artist. This album reached number 14 on the charts.
In 1993, Chara's songs were used in many TV commercials for big companies like Shiseido. Her song "Mujintō ni Watashi o Motte Itte..." (無人島に私をもっていって・・・, Take Me to a Deserted Island...) was her first song to enter the top 100. Her album Violet Blue reached number 4. Her 1994 album, Happy Toy, also reached number 4, helped by her song "Atashi Nande Dakishimetain darou?" (あたしなんで抱きしめたいんだろう?, Why Do I Wanna Hug Him?).
In 1994, she filmed a movie called Picnic with director Shunji Iwai. She played a patient in the movie. She acted alongside Tadanobu Asano, whom she later married in 1995. Chara took a short break from music, releasing a best-of album and welcoming her first child, a daughter named Sumire (菫), which means violet.
Becoming a Star: 1996-2001
In February 1996, Chara started filming another movie with Shunji Iwai, called Swallowtail Butterfly. She played a character named Glico (グリコ), who was a singer. Chara recorded the music for the movie, working with music producer Takeshi Kobayashi. The music was released under the name Yen Town Band, which was the name of the band in the film.
The movie's theme song, "Swallowtail Butterfly (Ai no Uta)", became a huge hit. Both the movie's music album, Montage, and the theme song reached number 1 on the music charts. Chara's acting in the film earned her a nomination for a top acting award in Japan. The movie itself won an award for Most Popular Film.
Chara's fame grew even more with her next album, Junior Sweet. The main song from this album, "Yasashii Kimochi", was a massive success, selling over 520,000 copies. The album itself sold over 1,000,000 copies!
Her 1999 album, Strange Fruits, also did well, selling over 300,000 copies. Chara then teamed up with Judy and Mary singer Yuki for a special song called "Ai no Hi Mittsu Orange". This song became Chara's third biggest hit.
In 2000, Chara released her second collection of best songs, Caramel Milk: The Best of Chara. In 2001, she released her eighth album, Madrigal. This album included two songs she wrote with American guitarist James Iha.
Mean Machine and Independent Music: 2001-2005
In late 2001, Chara started playing drums in an all-girl rock band called Mean Machine. Other members included Yuki and Swallowtail actress Ayumi Ito. The idea for the band started in 1998. A rule for the band was that everyone had to try something new, which is why Chara, a pianist, became the drummer.
The band released their first song, "Sūhā" (スーハー), in 2001. Chara wrote this song during her second pregnancy, inspired by breathing sounds. Soon after, the band released their first album, Cream.
In 2003, Chara released her ninth solo album, Yoake Mae. In 2004, she released A Scenery Like Me, which had new versions of her older songs. This marked the end of her contract with Sony. After this, Chara started releasing her music independently, recording and producing songs from her own home. She released a limited album called Something Blue and a digital song Hikari no Niwa (光の庭, Garden of Light). This song was used for the Japanese version of the movie March of the Penguins.
During this time, Chara also formed other music groups, including Cold Sugar with Arai Akino.
Recent Years: 2006-Present
Chara returned to a major record label in 2006 with her song "Sekai". Her song "Fantasy" was also popular, reaching number 13 on the charts. She worked with Seiji Kameda, a producer for other famous artists, on this song. Her album Union also did very well, reaching the top 5 on the album charts. Because of her renewed success, Sony released a collection of her love songs called Sugar Hunter: The Best Love Songs of Chara.
Chara's songs released with Universal Music have been very popular online. "Trophy", a song from her album Honey, was a big digital hit.
After her contract with Universal ended, Chara released a mini-album called Utakata in November 2011. In December 2011, Chara announced she was joining Ki/oon Music, another part of Sony Music Japan. She released her first song with Ki/oon, "Alterna Girlfriend", in June 2012.
In 2014, Chara worked with the music group Basement Jaxx on their song "Wherever You Go" for their album Junto. She continues to release new music and perform for her fans.
Personal Life
In 1994, Chara married actor Tadanobu Asano. They met while filming the movie Picnic in 1994. Chara and Asano had a daughter named Sumire (菫) on July 4, 1995. They also had a son named Himi (緋美) on December 19, 1998. In 2008, the couple attended the 80th Academy Awards in Los Angeles because a movie starring Asano, Mongol, was nominated for an award. On July 25, 2009, Chara and Asano announced they were getting a divorce after 14 years of marriage.
Chara has two tattoos: a blue bird on her back and a sumire flower (菫, Fuji Dawn Viola) on her neck. Her children have even been part of her music. Sumire is on the cover of Chara's album Honey, which also has a song named after her.
Discography
- Sweet (1991)
- Soul Kiss (1992)
- Violet Blue (1993)
- Happy Toy (1994)
- Montage (1996)
- Junior Sweet (1997)
- Strange Fruits (1999)
- Madrigal (2001)
- Yoake Mae (2003)
- A Scenery Like Me (2004)
- Something Blue (2005)
- Union (2007)
- Honey (2008)
- Carol (2009)
- Dark Candy (2011)
- Cocoon (2012)
- Jewel (2013)
- Secret Garden (2015)
- Diverse Journey (2016)
- Sympathy (2017)
- Baby Bump (2018)
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Picnic | Coco (ココ) | Filmed in 1994 Won – Yokohama Film Festival Best New Talent |
| 1996 | Swallowtail Butterfly | Glico (グリコ) | Won – Yokohama Film Festival Best New Talent Nominated — Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role |
Series
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Because We Forget Everything |
TV Music Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Video Jam | Co-presenter | 1991–? |
| 2008 | Ongaku Bāka (音楽ば～か) | Co-presenter | 2008–present |
