Singer Akko (35) was joined on stage by her ex-husband at an anniversary concert yesterday. She and Kobayashi Takeshi (48), along with guitarist Fujii Kenji (39), debuted as My Little Lover on May 1, 1995 and went on to release 21 singles and 11 albums with combined sales of almost 12 million. The pair were married for twelve years and have two children but divorced on New Year’s Day. “MaiRaba”, as the band became popularly known, has been Akko’s solo project for some time, though she remains with the management agency run by Kobayashi and they are clearly still on friendly terms. Yesterday’s concert was the first time for them to share a stage in almost 4 years. Since before their divorce, Kobayashi has been romantically linked with singer Hitoto You (31).
• Popular singer Anri (46) announced this week on her blog that she and American guitarist Lee Ritenour (56) have broken off their engagement. She says, “I still intend to continue my music activities at my own pace.” The two, both divorcees, announced their engagement in May 2005, and Anri has a house in Los Angeles. An insider said the break-up came because Ritenour, known as “Captain Fingers,” wouldn’t make the commitment on getting married.
• It’s the end for Coconut Musume. The group of five Hawaiian-born idols was formed in 1999 as part of the Hello! Project that grew from the success of Morning Musume. But after many member changes, the only one left since 2004 has been Ayaka (26). She announced on her website yesterday that she is leaving the Project to become an actress.
• A group of 23 celebrities performed a concert at the Four Seasons hotel in Tokyo yesterday to raise awareness of the fight against cancer. Led by talento Yamada Kuniko (47), one of several members who have spoken about their battle with cancer, the group call themselves the “Star Mixed Chorus.” Other members include singer Kobayashi Sachiko (54), actress Baisho Chieko (66), commentator Torigoe Shuntaro (68) and fashion designer Koshino Junko (68). The group plan to perform about once a month.
• Singer-songwriter Aiko (32) is to provide one of the theme songs for the upcoming movie finale to the popular TBS drama series “Hana Yori Dango.” Her bittersweet ballad has been provisionally named “Tsukushi’s Theme”, named after the heroine again played by Inoue Mao (21). The movie’s main theme is “One Love” by Arashi, whose Matsumoto Jun (24) again plays her love interest Domyoji Tsukasa. The movie opens on June 28.