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Miki Fujimoto

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Miki Fujimoto
藤本 美貴
Fujimoto in 2010
Fujimoto in 2010
Background information
Born (1985-02-26) February 26, 1985 (age 39)
Takikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
Genres
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Singer
  • Dancer
  • Model
Instruments
  • Vocals
Years active2001–present
Labels
  • Rice Music
  • UP Front Works
  • J.P Room
Websitewww.jp-r.co.jp/fujimotomiki
Hello! Mikitty ハロ！ミキティ
YouTube information
Channel
Presented byMiki Fujimoto
Years active2019–Present
Subscribers732,000[1]
(April 29, 2024)
Total views235,192,956[1]
(April 29, 2024)
Last updated: April 29, 2024

Miki Shōji (庄司 美貴, Shōji Miki)[2][3] (born February 26, 1985), professionally known by her birth name of Miki Fujimoto (藤本 美貴, Fujimoto Miki), and nicknamed Mikitty, is a Japanese actress, singer and YouTuber. After failing the audition to join girl group Morning Musume with the fourth generation members, Fujimoto debuted as a solo artist within Hello! Project in 2002 with the single "Aenai Nagai Nichiyōbi". Fujimoto later joined Morning Musume in 2003 along with the sixth generation and eventually became the leader of the group in 2007.

Early life

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Fujimoto was born and raised in the Takikawa area of Hokkaidō, Japan. She is the youngest of four children:[4] she has an older brother (who won a defamation case alongside Fujimoto in 2009[5]), and two older sisters.[6] Her father passed away on November 10, 2010.[7]

Career

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Early work: 2002–2003

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Fujimoto originally started out as a solo singer in 2002 under the idol family Hello! Project, becoming the first of six members to debut under Hello! Project after losing a Morning Musume audition. She is often called by fans as Aya Matsuura's rival, but in fact, they are the best of friends. After a successful performance on the music program on New Year's Eve, "Kōhaku Uta Gassen", producer Tsunku added her to Morning Musume as a sixth generation member in 2003.

Although unintended, Fujimoto began a very brass and frigid image (which Fujimoto herself attributed to her unhappiness for being added to the group long after having been built up as a solo act).[6] At this point in her career, she was given the nickname "Miki-sama" (美貴様、Miki the Great) by fans and the media alike due to her new image as someone who spoke her mind with a sharp tongue, even in the face of her seniors and instructors.[8]

She sang many of the lead lines in Morning Musume songs, especially after Natsumi Abe's graduation. She and fellow Morning Musume member Asami Konno were also lent to Country Musume, a group that features "Country Girls from Hokkaidō", such as Miki and Asami (the group has been known, however, to include members not from the rural island—such as former featured singers Rika Ishikawa and Miuna Saito).

In October 2002, she was placed in the one-shot unit, Gomattou with two other prominent pop soloists under Hello! Project, Maki Goto (a former Morning Musume member), and Aya Matsuura. She was also in Hello! Project Shuffle groups Odoru 11, 11Water, H.P. All Stars and Sexy Otonajan.

In 2003, when Morning Musume was split into two groups, she was placed in Morning Musume Otomegumi.

On June 15, 2006, it was announced that Fujimoto and Aya Matsuura would join in a new Hello! Project duo called GAM. Their debut single was released on September 13, 2006,[9] and after two other singles, their debut LP was released on May 23, 2007.

On May 6, 2007, after the graduation of then-leader Hitomi Yoshizawa, Fujimoto took her place as the fifth leader of Morning Musume.

Controversy

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On May 24, 2007, Fujimoto was featured in the Japanese gossip magazine Friday pictured walking with Tomoharu Shōji, a member of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shōji. Friday explained that they had a two-hour dinner together, drove to Fujimoto's apartment, then went to the sauna, returning to Shōji's apartment just after midnight.[10] It soon became apparent that she was to be involved in a scandal that would jeopardize her position in Morning Musume. Up-Front Agency's initial response to the article was that they had no intention to deal with the situation since there was no proof of them dating.[11]

On the May 26, 2007 edition of Young Town Doyōbi (a radio show with Ai Takahashi, Fujimoto and Sanma Akashiya), she confirmed that the pictures were of her, and confirmed her relationship with Shōji. Fujimoto was later called by the head of Up-Front Agency, Naoki Yamazaki, about the situation. Instead of ordering her to end the relationship, the agency left the decision to Fujimoto. Since she had no desire of ending the relationship, and she did not want to further betray the staff, fellow members, and her fans,[12] she decided the best course of action would be to immediately resign from the group.[13]

On June 1, 2007, Fujimoto announced her immediate resignation from Morning Musume.[14][15] However, she remained with GAM (finishing their tour in progress at the time) and remained contracted with Hello! Project and Up-Front Agency.[16]

Fujimoto's tenure as leader of Morning Musume of just 25 days remains a record within Hello! Project, and has become a source of notoriety within Japanese media.[17][18]

Marriage and personal life

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In March 2009, Fujimoto announced her engagement to Shōji and graduated from Hello! Project. They married on July 3, 2009, at a ceremony held in Hawaii. The couple have three children: a son born in 2012,[19] and two daughters born in 2015 and 2020.[20]

Later career

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On April 23, 2008, Fujimoto released a collaboration kayōkyoku single, "Okitegami" (置き手紙, lit. Leftover Letter), featuring Takao Horiuchi.[21] Later that year, Fujimoto played the part of Rizzo in the fall musical, Grease.[22]

In 2011, Fujimoto took part of the special revival unit Dream Morning Musume, though her concert and television appearances were limited, due to her concurrent pregnancy (with her first child).[23][24]

Fujimoto had a brief stint as an owner of a chain of yakiniku restaurants in Japan: Yakiniku Mikitei (焼肉美貴亭). The first location opened on her 26th birthday, February 26, 2011, to much success. Three more restaurants were opened. The restaurant chain, however, was short-lived, and closed on June 29, 2012, following various incidents.[25]

In 2017, Fujimoto appeared in the film Kamen Rider Ex-Aid the Movie: True Ending.[26][27]

In October 2019, Fujimoto opened her YouTube channel: Hello! Mikitty[28]. Her husband often appears in her videos, with frequent appearances by former Hello! Project members, and her three children.

On March 12, 2023, in celebration of her 21st Debut Anniversary, Fujimoto held a 20 Complete Years[29] Anniversary Live Concert at Huric Hall Tokyo, featuring Asami Konno and Reina Tanaka as special guests, with surprise appearances by Maki Goto and Ichiro Ito (of Every Little Thing).[30][31]

Discography and releases

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For releases as a member of Morning Musume, see Morning Musume discography. For releases as a member of GAM, see GAM (group) § Discography.

Albums

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Title Release date First week sales Total sales
Miki 1 2003-02-26 93,475 128,502

Singles

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Title Release date First week sales Total sales
"Aenai Nagai Nichiyōbi" (会えない長い日曜日) 2002-03-13 25,610 43,670
"Sotto Kuchizukete Gyutto Dakishimete" (そっと口づけてギュッと抱きしめて) 2002-06-12 24,730 40,450
"Romantic Ukare Mode" (ロマンティック浮かれモード) 2002-09-04 38,490 62,000
"Boyfriend" (ボーイフレンド) a 2002-11-07 36,290 48,555
"Boogie Train '03" (ブギートレイン'03) 2003-02-05 37,410 50,737
"Okitegami" (置き手紙, lit. Leftover Letter) 2008-04-23 5,771 22,889

DVDs

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Title Release date
Fujimoto Single M Clips 1 (藤本シングルMクリップス①) 2002-10-02
Alo! Hello Fujimoto Miki (アロハロ！藤本美貴) 2003-04-25
Fujimoto Miki First Live Tour 2003 Spring: Miki 1 (藤本美貴 First Live Tour 2003 Spring ～Miki①～) 2003-06-18

Photobooks

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Title Release date Publisher ISBN Photobook information
Ayaya to Mikitty (アヤヤとミキティ, Ayaya and Mikitty) 2003-04-11 Wani Books ISBN 4-8470-2761-2 Photobook with Aya Matsuura.
Alo Hello! Fujimoto Miki (アロハロ!藤本美貴写真集) 2003-04-22 Kadokawa Shoten ISBN 4-04-853590-0 First solo photobook.
Mikitty (藤本美貴写真集 「Mikitty」) 2004-01-24 Wani Books ISBN 4-8470-2793-0 Second solo photobook.
Real 226 (藤本美貴写真集「リアル226」) 2005-02-25 Wani Books ISBN 4-8470-2846-5 Third solo photobook.
Cheri (藤本美貴写真集「cheri（シェリー）」) 2005-12-17 Wani Books ISBN 4-8470-2905-4 Fourth solo photobook.
Coeur (藤本美貴写真集「COEUR」) 2006-11-25 Wani Books ISBN 4-8470-2972-0 Fifth solo photobook.

Acting

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Movies

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Dramas

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  • 2002 – Tenshi no Utagoe: Shōnibyōtō no Kiseki (天使の歌声～小児病棟の奇跡～)
  • 2004 – Shinshun Wide Jidaigeki: Ryuuma ga Yuku (新春ワイド時代劇　竜馬がゆく)
  • 2009 – Daremo Mamorenai (誰も守れない)
  • 2009 – Reset Dai 6wa "Kazoku no Futatsu no Wakaremichi" (RESET第６話『家族の二つの分かれ道』)

Theater

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  • 2008 – Hakana "Itoshi no Hakana" yori (HAKANA「いとしの儚」より）～)

Musicals

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Radio

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  • 2002–2003 – Fujimoto Miki Heart Days Radio (藤本美貴 ハート・デイズ・レディオ)
  • 2002–2007 – Fujimoto Miki no Dokimiki Night (藤本美貴のドキ♥みきNight)
  • 2004–2007 – Young Town Doyōbi (ヤングタウン土曜日)

References

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  1. ^ a b "About YouTube channel". YouTube.
  2. ^ ラブラブ庄司＆ミキティ ノロケ全開. Kibo Shimbun (in Japanese). Daily Sports Online. 2009-07-13. Archived from the original on 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  3. ^ 庄司＆ミキティ「朝、彼が横に寝ているだけで幸せ」. Natasha Inc (in Japanese). Natalie. 2009-11-27. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  4. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  5. ^ "Miki Fujimoto wins defamation case". Tokyograph. August 30, 2009.
  6. ^ a b 赤裸々すぎて削除されるかもしれません【ミキティ人生ゲーム】. Retrieved 2024-04-30 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. ^ "「まだ信じられません…」藤本美貴、亡き父への思いをブログで綴る". ORICON NEWS. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  8. ^ スポニチアネックス. "藤本美貴 反抗期の"痕跡"は「思い出にもなってる」主張の辻希美に痛烈ツッコミ「どこで浸ってるのよ」（スポニチアネックス）｜ｄメニューニュース". topics.smt.docomo.ne.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  9. ^ "New Unit GAM Formed" (in Japanese). helloproject.com. 2006-06-20. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10.
  10. ^ "TV Guide Japan" (in Japanese). tvguide.or.jp. 2007-05-24. Archived from the original on 2007-05-22. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  11. ^ "Hello!Online - Fujimoto Miki 'Friday'd'". hello-online.org. 2007-05-24.
  12. ^ モー娘。脱退の真相 ミキティの決意！事務所と庄司の苦悩【中田敦彦 切り抜き】 #shorts. Retrieved 2024-07-23 – via www.youtube.com.
  13. ^ "Hello!Online episode summary". hello-online.org. 2007-05-26.
  14. ^ "Nikkan Sports News" (in Japanese). nikkansports.com. 2007-06-01. Archived from the original on 2007-06-03.
  15. ^ "Yahoo! Japan News" (in Japanese). headlines.yahoo.co.jp. 2007-06-01.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Hello!Online - Fujimoto Miki leaves Morning Musume". hello-online.net. 2007-06-01.
  17. ^ "藤本美貴 リーダー就任後わずか25日！ "モー娘。脱退"の真相告白". クランクイン！- エンタメの「今」がわかる　映画＆エンタメニュースサイト (in Japanese). 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  18. ^ 遠藤尚子. "藤本美貴、夫・庄司智春との交際撮られ「25日間」でモー娘。リーダー卒業「史上最短」と苦笑い - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  19. ^ "幸せ♥♡ ("Happy")". Miki Fujimoto's Blog. March 27, 2012. Ameba. (in Japanese)
  20. ^ "Miki Fujimoto Announces Birth of Second Child". Nihongogo. August 2015.
  21. ^ "Fujimoto Miki to release new single". hello-online.org. 2008-02-13.
  22. ^ "Fujimoto Miki to play Rizzo in the musical, "Grease"". Hello!Online. 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  23. ^ "モーニング娘。後藤＆辻との共演に涙"仲間の証明" | Special". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  24. ^ "藤本美貴に関するお知らせ｜エムラインクラブオフィシャルファンクラブWebサイト". エムラインクラブオフィシャルファンクラブWebサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  25. ^ "藤本美貴さんの「焼肉美貴亭」がいつの間にか閉店していたッ！ | ロケットニュース24". Rocketnews24.com. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  26. ^ Inc, Natasha. "映画「エグゼイド」「キュウレンジャー」に堂珍嘉邦、藤本美貴、ロンブー亮ら出演". 映画ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ "「劇場版 仮面ライダーエグゼイド トゥルー・エンディング」にゲスト出演決定！ | アップフロントクリエイト". www.up-front-create.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  28. ^ "ハロー!ミキティ / 藤本美貴 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  29. ^ ２０周年 (nijūshūnen, lit. 20 complete years) in Japanese
  30. ^ "「藤本美貴20周年記念！大感謝ライブ！～ミキティアイドルやります！春の大集会！〜あしたから21周年～】」FC先行受付のお知らせ｜エムラインクラブオフィシャルファンクラブWebサイト". エムラインクラブオフィシャルファンクラブWebサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-30.
  31. ^ ミキティ・ゴマキの二人で「SHALL WE LOVE?」“まっ”が不在ですけど！ごまっとう当時のエピソードを語る！ 『藤本美貴20周年記念！大感謝祭ライブ！』. Retrieved 2024-04-30 – via www.youtube.com.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miki Fujimoto.
Honorary titles
Preceded by Leader of Morning Musume
2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Sub-leader of Morning Musume
2005–2007 		Succeeded by
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