Here we go again! The latest showbiz couple to announce a shotgun wedding are popular pin-up girl Yoshioka Miho (26) and singer Izam (34). It seems that Yoshioka is three months pregnant, which may at least put to rest any doubts people have about Izam’s sexual orientation. The once cross-dressing singer of visual-kei rock group Shazna failed to convince many people with his brief marriage to talento Yoshikawa Hinano (26). They got hitched in September 1999, but it lasted only seven months. With their relationship regarded as no more than a publicity stunt, the couple were ridiculed as “playing house”. And though Izam and Yoshioka are said to have been dating for a year, the engagement comes at a time when Shazna are reforming. So this marriage is likely to be viewed as suspiciously as the first. Izam (real name Hine Yoshikazu) has shed the girly image (as in the photo above) and made his debut as a movie director this summer. Yoshioka started as a race queen at the age of 20 and made a breakthrough with the catchphrase “kakete miho” in a TV commercial for hair restoration maker Aderans. She is considered the original “iyashi-kei” idol. She and Izam are still living separately and are said to be looking for a new home in Tokyo. They plan to have a wedding ceremony next year.
• This year’s Best Smile awards go to actress Kuroki Hitomi (46) and Olympic champion hammer thrower Murofushi Koji (32). Sponsored by the Japan Dental Association, the award ceremony was held yesterday, November 8, which when written 11-8 can be read “ii ha” or “good teeth” in Japanese. Naruhodo…
• Actress Konishi Manami (28) has landed her first leading role in a TV drama. She will play a young medical resident in January’s TBS series “Kirakira Kenshui” (Sparkling Resident), a comedy based on a popular blog that receives over 30,000 views per day. Konishi’s romantic interest will be played by singer Wentz Eiji (21) in his first major role. Wentz, whose father is American but who speaks hardly any English, is one half of the popular pop duo WaT.