Mika Nakashima facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mika Nakashima
中島 美嘉
Mika Nakashima at a 2024 Hong Kong concert
Born	(1983-02-19) February 19, 1983 (age 42) Hioki, Kagoshima, Japan
Other names	Nana
Occupation	Singer actress
Spouse(s)	Kunihiro Shimizu ​ ​ (m. 2014; div. 2018)​ Isamu Umatani ​ (m. 2023)​
Musical career
Genres	J-pop blues alternative rock pop rock jazz
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2001–2010, 2012–present
Labels	Sony Music Associated (2002–present)

Mika Nakashima (中島 美嘉, Nakashima Mika, born February 19, 1983) is a famous Japanese singer and actress. Many of her albums have reached the top spot in Japan's music charts. She is also well-known for playing Nana Osaki in the live-action movies based on the Nana manga. Mika Nakashima has sold over 10 million records in Japan.

Early Life and Dreams

Mika Nakashima grew up in a small town called Hioki, Kagoshima in Kyūshū, Japan. She was the youngest of three children. Mika loved dressing up and doing make-up. She hoped to work for fashion magazines one day.

When she finished junior high, Mika decided not to go to high school. At age 15, she moved to the city of Fukuoka, Fukuoka. There, she shared a room with two other people.

Mika Nakashima's Music Career

Starting Her Journey: 2001-2004

When Mika was 17, she went to an audition without knowing what it was for. She was chosen from 3,000 girls for a TV drama called Kizudarake no Love Song. Mika played the main character and sang the theme song, "Stars."

In November 2001, "Stars" became her first song released with Sony Music Japan. It became her best-selling single. Her second song, "Crescent Moon," sold out all 100,000 copies on its first day. Mika released more hit songs like "Helpless Rain" and "Will." These songs showed she was becoming a rising star.

Nakashima in 2018

Mika's first album, True, came out in August 2002. It quickly became a number one hit. In just three weeks, True sold a million copies! To celebrate her first year, she released a special album called Resistance. It also hit number one. Mika won several "New Artist of the Year" awards in 2002.

Her second album, Love, was released in November 2003. It sold even more copies than her first album. After another mini-album, Oborozukiyo: Inori, Mika topped the charts again. This happened with her album Music in 2005. Her first greatest hits album, Best, also sold over a million copies.

Movie Star: Nana Films (2005-2006)

In 2005, Mika Nakashima starred in the live-action movie Nana. The movie was based on a popular manga series. She also sang one of the movie's theme songs, "Glamorous Sky." This song became her only number one single on the Oricon charts. It sold over 423,000 copies in 2005.

Because Nana was so popular, a second movie, Nana 2, was released in 2006. Mika sang two new songs for this movie, including "Hitoiro" (One Color). She also released an album called The End. This album featured all the songs she sang as her character Nana.

Mika also visited Memphis, Tennessee in the USA. She worked with American musicians for a charity song called "All Hands Together." Because of her efforts, she was made an honorary citizen of Memphis. She even received a key to the city!

New Sounds: Yes and Voice (2007-2008)

In 2007, Mika released her 21st single, "Mienai Hoshi." It was the theme song for a Japanese drama. Her fifth studio album, Yes, came out in March 2007. After this, Mika went on her first concert tour since 2005.

Her 23rd single, "Life," was released in August 2007. It was the theme song for another drama series. Mika's 26th single, "I Don't Know," was special because it was sung entirely in English.

Her fifth studio album, Voice, was released in November 2008. Voice became Mika's first album to top the Oricon Album Chart since 2005. It sold over 340,000 copies in total.

More Music and Movies (2009-2010)

After releasing a new album called No More Rules in 2009, Mika started her "Trust Our Voice Tour 2009." She released new songs like "Over Load" and "Candy Girl."

In 2010, Mika's song "Always" was the theme song for a South Korean movie. She also acted in the Japanese monster film Death Kappa. Her song "Ichiban Kirei na Watashi wo" was used in the drama series Unubore Deka, where Mika also had a role.

In September 2010, Mika made her US film debut in Resident Evil: Afterlife. She played a small role as a "J Pop Girl." Later that year, she had to take a break from singing due to an ear condition. She returned in 2012 with the song "If the World Ends Tomorrow." This song was the main theme for the Japanese version of the Resident Evil: Retribution film. She also appeared in the movie again.

New Albums and Collaborations (2011-2015)

Nakashima in 2023

Mika's seventh studio album, Real, was released in January 2013. That year, she also tried voice acting! She voiced Lucy Wilde in the Japanese version of the animated movie Despicable Me 2.

In March 2014, Mika released her first album of cover songs, Zutto Suki Datta: All My Covers. It included popular songs like "Amazing Grace." She also worked with rapper Dohzi-T on a song called "Dare yori mo." In June 2014, Mika released "Fighter" with Miliyah Kato. This song was the theme for the Japanese version of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. A special version of "Fighter" was even used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup!

In 2015, Mika went on a concert tour called "Mika Nakashima Concert Tour the Best Dears Tears." She also returned to acting in the TV drama Omotesando High School Chorus Club.

Popular Cover Songs

Mika Nakashima's song "Yuki no Hana" was one of the most popular karaoke songs in Japan in 2004. Many artists from different countries have covered this song. For example, Park Hyo Shin's version was used in the popular Korean drama I'm Sorry, I Love You. Other popular songs like "Stars" and "Sakurairo Mau Koro" have also been covered by other singers.

Personal Life

Mika Nakashima married volleyball player Kunihiro Shimizu on December 25, 2014. They later divorced in 2018. They said their time together was special and that they would remain friends. In 2023, Mika married Isamu Umatani.

Discography

Studio albums

• True (2002)
• Love (2003)
• Music (2005)
• The End (2006)
• Yes (2007)
• Voice (2008)
• Star (2010)
• Real (2013)
• Tough (2017)
• Joker (2020)
• I (2022)

Filmography

Movies

Dramas

See also

In Spanish: Mika Nakashima para niños