That's pretty good question... and that's exactly what happened to me.

Before hearing her music, I first saw a pic of her. I thought she was short.... very short... (I always look at people's height considering I am 5'11 myself!)
I also thought she got her fame from her looks.

.....after I heard her music I realized how wrong I was.

When I first heard Ayu's music on my friend's computer, I thought her voice was really cutesy, but a bit nasally (ASFXX period), then I watched some videos he had and I instantly fell in love with her. To me, she has everything going for her, a great voice, beauty, ability to write awesome lyrics and her persona is outstanding! From that first time I saw "poker face" and "POWDER SNOW" CM, it's been all about Ayu for me. ^^

i wouldn't believe that she was a singer. i'd be like "what companies does she model for" XD

I would think she was a model if I didn't know who she was....
If I didn't know anything about her music, then I would assume she made mainly heart-warming ballads with a very reserved and light voice lol.

Actually, my mom introduced Ayu to me as a Magazine Cover artist. LOL... i was just a 6th grade schooler (around 2000-20001). I thought she's just a cover artist until my dad gave me "DUTY". since then, i fell inlove with her style and music. Thats how it all stated. LOL!

Well I heard Ayu haterz opinions of her before I ever saw her. I kept hearing she had this horrible voice, then they would put up pictures mocking her eyes, etc. So I was wary of her at first....I thought she was a cliche singer who didn't deserve her fame, but then I heard her voice and fell in love. :D

Btw, when people say Ayumi is the Madonna of Japan, I think they're referring to how popular she is (or was). I'm old enough to remember Madonna in the late 80's, early 90's. Not that I care for her stuff much...

Again, it depends on what era I'm introduced in.

If it's Asfxx, I'm more like, nice try, but not cutting it. If I see a cover like Endless sorrow cover or something, I'm more inclined to see her as a rock artist. If I see Talkin'2myself cover, I probably think she's avril lavigne type of rock. If I see Carols, I might think she's bubble-gummy pop.

I would have saw her as just some model and then I'll curiously search for more pics of her only to notice I will barely see her in a bikini or lingerie. Eventually I'll go, "oh, she sings too."

I'll forever just look at the A BALLADS cover and say, "Lesbian."

^ LOL

I would definitely think that Ayu was a actress, but it more depends on the picture I see.

^ Picture wise, she would be a cute model. :3

I would think she is overrated and I would go "oh my, all in Japanese, how should I understand?!"

But now, those are what my parents said and I'll say, "there are such things as translations"

In 2000, my brother bought an Anime magazine and one of the articles there features Ayu's "ASfXX" and I said to myself "who is this girl? She looks pretty".

When I saw her on MTV Asia awards 2002 for her performance, I wasn't really impressed.
That time, I was a huge fan of Britney.

And when our PC was connected with internet, I started to Google her bio and her music. But finding her music there was so very tiring.
And I install the infamous LimeWire and downloaded her songs from the RAINBOW album.
I getting very curious about her lyrics, I found Ayumi.primenova.com's lyrics page, and I started to like her more because of her honest words were she put it on music.


Afterwards, I become a loyal fan of her for 4 years. :)

i would think of her as super-markerted idol with no talent.

Before I became a fan, I hated her, LOL!! I thought she was an idol with an incredibly annoying nasal voice.

I think that now, if I weren't a fan, I'd see her a Japan's biggest Diva!!

Honestly, I was instantly pulled in by her releases and biography. I'd never listened to any songs in Japanese before, and then I come across this Ayu woman on Wikipedia (yes, that's how I found out about Ayu) and felt a really, really strong urge to listen to her music, and I did. And look where it's got me know! ^_____^

If I wouldn't know her music and that she is a singer she would be another "ooo she's fu***ing hot girl!" most likely.

But when I discovered her through a friend I already knew she is a singer.

Depend on you was the song with the most repeat effect in the world for me lol 3 months only that and remixes of it XDD.

Actually i discovered AYu myself...sooo
IF IF IF
it was my friend or I just discovered her, surely I wouldnt know she is some QUEEN OF JPOP...
but i think her fashion is ok...but actually, her CD covers arnt exactly very interesting..hahaha...

This is so funny... The first time i saw ayu, there were screencaps from Dome Tour 2001... And she looked like a young J-Madonna, so i started downloading her music from that moment.