I probably would've pictured her as some cutesy Japanese model or actress

If I knew nothing about her or her music, I honestly wouldn't think anything of her at all. She wouldn't exist to me because since I know nothing about her she wouldn't really matter, you know? She'd just exist in as a nonentity - like a lot of other Japanese pop acts to me, lol.

I guess this thread can apply to what our first impression upon seeing Ayu. Well considering that I had very limited exposure to her music before I actually saw her image it didn't factor into my first impression. I first saw her in ViVi magazine (March 2002!!) I'm not sure if I had already bought I am... by then but if I did I couldn't really use the pics as a valid first impression as it was too surreal. What can you really think about a girl covered in ivy in the desert? But I digress... I immediately recognized that she was a highly stylish gal. Almost over the top, really. She's been mentioned in a old issue of Harper's Bazaar but that wouldn't have given me the best impression cause they discribed her as a polished product spokesperson and not much else. If I came upon one of her PVs my perception would be based on whichever PV I happened to see so that could go a million different direction.

I guess this thread can apply to what our first impression upon seeing Ayu. Well considering that I had very limited exposure to her music before I actually saw her image it didn't factor into my first impression. I first saw her in ViVi magazine (March 2002!!) I'm not sure if I had already bought I am... by then but if I did I couldn't really use the pics as a valid first impression as it was too surreal. What can you really think about a girl covered in ivy in the desert? But I digress... I immediately recognized that she was a highly stylish gal. Almost over the top, really. She's been mentioned in a old issue of Harper's Bazaar but that wouldn't have given me the best impression cause they discribed her as a polished product spokesperson and not much else. If I came upon one of her PVs my perception would be based on whichever PV I happened to see so that could go a million different direction.