Do you think ayu looks 'different' now?
 

Starting from this year, her 10th anniversarry, do u guys think she looks different now?(as in her face and appearence/image) When I look at her pics in HK just now, which is actually when we see the 'real' her, in make-up, do u think her face is just somehow different? I know she's turning 30 but there's something about her face which make her look different IMO. Somethimes she looks like a normal (rich) woman who just happen to walk around. But she's ayu ^^

she looks fat to be honest. but well, i really dont bother like some other pple do.

So i am cool with it :)

yeah, ayu looks like she gained a little weight recently, but she still looks great for her age.

haha...yea...i guess she becomes a little bit plumper...noticed that when i saw her in (d)Lma pv with her chubby arms :D

I just think she looks tanner.

maybe she's stressed? idk, she looks tired sometimes

I think she is just tired. I agree that she looks a little bit plumper but it's natural since she's getting older.

Her makeup is done a lot differently than it was in the first half of this decade.. [2000-2005]~

Now it seems to be a lot heavier with more eyelashes and such. Also, she should really try to avoid the extensions.. aren't they really bad for your hair anyway?

^Isn't that why she cut her hair in the first place last year? :P
But I liked her short hair :)
The way her hair is done know could have been anyone else in this world. At least the short hair stood out :P

Yeah. I liked her look for the Mirrorcle World single/PV, but I think it's time for a fresher, more flattering color and cut.

I'm not liking the recent tan either. Maybe it's that it looks bad against the current hair color, but it ages her IMO. :no

I won't complain about the weight gain. She isn't by any means, "fat". And furthermore she has a right to put on a couple pounds. She's healthy and active, which is what matters.

^^Eiiik.... you took the words outta my mouth!! :)

But I don't like her short hair very much. It makes Ayu looks shorter too.

she looks mega skinny in the black dress that she use at HK...
i think its just her upper body that got a lot of weight

Fat... Are you serious? As a personal trainer i know for a fact she is not fat. When you put on fatty weight the first areas it will show is your thighs, and stomach, and i can tell you now that simply just isnt the case with ayu. What has happened to her is she has been hitting the gym much more frequently then she ever has. Her upper body looks larger because she is building muscle there NOT fat...

Ayu looks much healthier then i think she has ever looked. It's good to see she has taken on a fitness lifestyle. It will help her keep a youthful look as she ages.

^yup..yup...i think she gain muscle...that's what my friend said when see her latest looks too

she's not fat to begin with

in a way it's good that she put on a couple of muscles to show that she's not stick thin & etc

she's more curvy ;) she looks much more mature now too b/c of that.
also, as in face-wise, she doesn't look as dead looking as in her Rainbow era. her eyes don't look as droopy. she looks much more lively thanks to her make-up artist or... whatever. she looks easier on the eyes... not as sharp looking as before. it seems she had a face lift...........

I agree with you. And I prefer that Ayu looks a little fat than she looks scrawny

she looks fatter for sure..and that's not a really big problem from me..
because just in no time, she will be become skinny again~
but whatever.. she has always looked so gorgeous in every way she will ever be~~
just love her for who she is.. even she will gain more weight skinny or what..

and yes, she looks different now.. i mean like she's happier for what i could see from the pics...

her weight issues dont really bother me but from what i see, it's just her face tht has put on some weight.. her face looks rounder~~ oh~~ and her arms too.. it looks flabbier.. other than that, she looks great!!

I don't mind the weight gain. I always thought she had looked a tad too skinny before.

Her hair looks thinner, but I think after a decade of dye and extensions, it's bound to damage her hair somewhat.

-.- isn't it kind of rude to just say "oh shes fat" right out...?
i can imagine that with a year as 2007 was, any girl would be sitting in the couch, with the ice cream package... crying crying T T
So we have to compassion for her, because she had such a stressful year~~!!

I think something changed in her face... even from 2007 until now..
Like Asia tour Ayu looks really different than 10 anniversary.
I can't explain it well... but the first images with purple and orange backgrounds... I felt.. "...what's changed?"

I think it's the hair extensions, that her hair isn't her real one, and looks different.. and she started to change her makeup patterns.
She has started to use less makeup around her eyes, it looks like it.
I think because she turns 30 this year... she wanna to grow up a little~?
Anyways, I think she still looks soo pretty~
So I hope we can see some shots of calendar soon~~!!
And maybe a single or album news!!~

I think it's really possible for some type of album to come this year.. since it's a really giant year.
Maybe they should have left A Best 2 until this year?~ Ahaha.
Whatever happens~~

like many ppl said, her face has gone curvier beause she gained a little weight.

i think she likes it that way, because when u gain more weight u get bigger more boobs lol

that's probably why she's always showing it off and its a nice and easy promotion for Wacoal :P

hmm not tht i'm being negative or anythg.. but because she seems to be gaining weight only on her face, do u think she might have Hypothyroidism?

"Hypothyroidism
What is it? A condition affecting mostly women (especially in middle age) in which the thyroid gland, found at the bottom of the neck, isn't making enough thyroid hormone, which is key in balancing our body's metabolism. As well as gaining weight, those with it feel cold constantly and suffer from fatigue, constipation, irregular menstrual cycles, reduced sex drive and other symptoms. "It's the most common disorder I see that's a cause of weight gain," says Dr. John Dornan, head of Active Living Clinic in Saint John, N.B., and an expert in thyroid-related conditions.

The gain explained: "Hypothyroidism slows the metabolic rate. It can also cause fatigue, and sometimes when people are tired, they think if they have something to eat, they might feel better," says Lorraine Watson, associate professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Calgary and a weight-management expert."

http://homemakers.com/Health&Fitness...n237856p1.html

She says she's tired and she looks tired, doesnt she?

oh my... IS TRUE!!!!

I thougth it was her hair... but no... her legs are bigger O_O

thanks for reselve that enigma!!!

her dressing & nailart are more classy & simpler now as compared to during her peak where it was quite loud & out there

if you know what I mean . I personally like her look now , it shows that she's maturing & opening the door to the 30's road , soon

elegance is all abt bringing out simplicity. :D

yeah.. I agree.
She gained weight!! obvious in her arms!!! But not fat.. It's not the right term, i think.. Hmm, healthier, i guess. But It's great to have muscle than to be skinny..(I recently realized that!)
But still she's great.. No matter how she will look, I still support her!!

yup that's right :yes

It's been 10 years. She's aged (beautifully, I'd like to add) and matured. People change as they get older, maybe that's why she looks different. It could be the makeup as well, or how she's been working out. But as for me, as long as she doesn't change too drastically, I'd love her all the same.

So what if she's fat? Or her arms/leg's are bigger? (Not that she is, Ayu is anything BUT fat.)
She looks great as always. (: :yes

haha.. ayumi is getting closer to hikki in term of body mass ! :P

i totally do not understand others when they say she's "fat" because that's the last thing id call her.

her new makeup looks or tanned skin or hair styles will of course contribute to how youthful she seems but she is in noooooo way fat.

to me, i guess. :///

i agree with jeremy ;)

umm actually she used to bear a more natural look. nowadays she seems to opt for MORE eye makeup than less. more shadows, false lashes, ya know. she has a great artist

but i agree she looks amazing =]]] i wouldnt expect anything less from her <333

I saw her live recently and while I wouldn't say she is 'fat', she has gotten a bit chubbier and yes her face and neck area is where it showed the most I think.

I don't agree with the people who say it is muscle - it didn't really look like muscle to me and muscle doesn't make you suddenly sport a bit of a double chin. :) (you could see it on the video screens during the concert.)

muscle & fat are 2 totally different issues altogether . Muscle's denser & weighs more than fat

Thanks for the clarification jeremy911.

However did anyone notice the size of ayu's thigh during at08's fly high's performances? Since you said that thigh is one of the first thing to look out for I can't help but think thay ayu has really gained some weight. However, ayu seem to look better; healthier like some had mentioned.

Yea she should do away with hair extension or at least abstain from it for the time being and just perform with her short hair, and she looked okay with it too. Moreover i'm not a fan of the jewel hairstyle.

i really dont think ayu can look bad even if you threw mud at her face shes just too gorgeous :luv2

Can we get some comparison pics up in here? I can't visualize what anyone is talking about.

Ayumi?? Chubby???WHAAA.
I'd like to see what YOUR chubby arms look like ayuzloveXD.
Of coarse, she's not as skinny anymore, buther bodynow isprobs thebest i've ever seen in her career.

yes she looks a lot different.
and for the better

yeah...she's getting hot ,more boobs appearances (which way i like it)
her face curvier,more muscle :D and a lil bit tummy in her stomach?
more elegant,but why she doesn't change her current hair colour?

she is very tan but she explained that in her latest TA message, right? xD anyway, i still don't see where people get off by calling her "fat" or "chubby", she is no where near either of those. when a healthy person gains a little bit of weight, that doesn't make them fat. :no i've stated this so many times before in other threads but i find it quite irritating. xD i personally think that she looks great! hopefully that tan will go away soon though. xD

more fats
less chin
more boobs
less foundation
more mascara

Ayu is not fat, just less thin.

FAT?? No way...she'd have to reach normal weight first^^. I think she looked way to skinny before, so some weight is good IMO. She's a bit more curvy, and unless her extensions actually are glued in or something like that, her hair wouldn't get damaged from it. Weaves are simply braiding and sewing in hair. Her face is more vibrant though, and she has a more mature aura in her vids and interviews. Hair dye prolly ruined her hair though, but since she cuts it all the time...it's all good.

ayu isn't fat...she have gained weight, but she still isn't fat, ayu's probably so busy with everything, so she don't have time to work out, and i love ayu for her music, not for her looks

She's defintely using more makeup and even in a different way, but I dont think she looks bad. She's just grown up you know? :)

And shes NEVER fat! Sometimes, yeah, she looks a lil plumpier. But the girls so petite and its not like she's insanely overweight or obese. Shes not even close to overweight! XD Leave the poor girl alone lol

I heard that she's having cat food as she's on diet, she's juz much fat maybe.

She's having a cat food like my name's Bloody Gora.
She is also fat like my name's Bloody Gora.

Gaining small amount of Kilos doesn't make anyone fat.

I feel the sameway as most people posting here.

I believe she's soo tired and that means bad sleep, do you know what bad sleep does to your face and body?

Sure she looks a bit plumper and a bit ill too.

But make up does wonders ;)

So does photoshop.

But I would really like Ayu to stop singing for a while 'cause I was watching CDL 07-08 and I didn't like her voice at all,she's struggling so hard to keep us entertained and happy with her music, but rigt now I'm not so happy about her putting her hearing and voice at risk.

Though I would love to hear more songs from her.

*+D.N.A.+*

Your name is bloody Gora like my name is Ayumisrael.

I'm not ********ting or crapping, but it's true, I heard it from from T.V entertainment news which they dun usually crap about.

oh yeah its definitely a better word. thanks for the note.

When someone short like ayu gains weight, it's much more obvious than when a tall person does. I think ayu's weight-conscious. I know the girl eats but she's not famous for downing large quantities. In AT06 doc, she was only eating greens at a BBQ restaurant :dead2 Maybe recently she's been eating meat along with the greens (figuratively speaking). I like her mirrorcle world PV look and the Wacoal picture is gorgeous. Maybe for now, she should stay along those boundaries.

Personally, i prefer her a little slimmer, like AT05 size but she's entitled to be whatever size she wants to be of course.

And how do they know it? They saw her eating that? One of her friends told them she's eating that?
Not everything that's being said on TV is true even if it's a reliable program they never accurate at 100% unless if it's Japan's News or something like that.

I don't think it would kill Ayu to gain some weight, actually. The funny thing is, her body always manages to stay petite, but whenever she DOES put on a few pounds, it all goes to her face. At least, that's what I noticed.

See the JEWEL promotion period (Oct - Nov 2006) for what I'm talking about. Maybe it's her haircut, but her face was considerably rounder then, and that was after she got back from an extended stay in LA where, according to her management, she didn't pay attention to what she ate :laugh

I don't think fat is the right word. She looks heavier, but I think fat is kinda extreme in wording. I mean, it's more associated with obese which Ayu still has a long way to go before that.

Besides, I prefer my celebrities to have a little meat on their body. Like Mika Todd, who was gorgeous IMO but definitely wasn't skinny.

Oh.. It ain't reliable huh??

So Ayumi is comin back to Taiwan for another concert, I guess it's fake? ZZzzZz.. They definitely would've interview her at least, or get a news from Japan, who knows, duh!

EDIT: I'll explain better~ in Tour of Secret, I think yeah, her makeup were focused on her eyes, but in the rest of her face, I feel it's more natural and not as much makeup.

Or maybe it's cause she became bigger in her face? I have no idea.

I was looking at evolution era photos, she looks older than now, because of makeup she uses in her face, I found. She uses less makeup on her actual face, like cheek bones or so, and more in the eyes. I was looking in GUILTY photobook, and then the photoshoot with the black and white stripe shirt.. she looks so older in that photoshoot because of makeup~ so now I think her face looks even and naturally coloured, instead of (still beautiful) evolution style makeup.

A look at her face and how it's changed through the years:
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6...rface10ld9.jpghttp://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4...pears20of3.jpghttp://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2...rreal61hb5.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/7...arest58to9.jpghttp://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6...oyage03gh6.jpghttp://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4...ssong24oe4.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/9...utyou10zt9.jpghttp://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7...nyday42ar8.jpghttp://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5...entum31vb6.jpg
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4...alone44od3.jpghttp://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4...world12hh6.jpg

Very big changes can be seen in her makeup after a certain period of time. Like every few years, the amount/methods change or something.

And... Ayu from a week or so ago:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4016/dlat8.jpg

Oi. You can see the change in her upper body area..

Especially when compared to this 2005 photobook page.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3...ay23ot4.th.jpg

A few more recent ones..

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/839/27cw6.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4347/28it5.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8999/normal15ua3.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6686/22dj6.jpg

Normal hair would help her to look better, definitely.

@truehappiness' post, mostly, and addressing the pictures posted.

It's not really fair to compare the pictures with horrendous lightning from above, making distortions appearing on the face/cheeks making people look 10-20 years older than they are, as compared to pictures with good light setting, making your skin smooth like a baby.

But sure, it's been 10 years, she has changed, she's a woman near her 30's not a teen near her 20's anymore.

And damn, that last picture is a freaking awkwardly unfortunate shot of her. Yeah, she probably has a bit more fat there but eh, if you'd see a more normal shot of her where she isn't pushed like crazy by some weird corsette thing and not photographed from a low angle (that never compliments peoples looks). But who doesn't gain and lose some weight now and then?

And really, look at photos of yourself... pick 10-15 different ones and see if you look different in them. You know, most of the time people look quite horrible on photos, it has to be a lucky shot for a still image to actually look really good of someone. Or you have to set it up professionally, which many of those Ayu pictures weren't, them being screenshots from her PVs or random pictures taking of her on the street. Take a camera and ask someone to take random pictures of you while you're not thinking too much about being photographed :). Or make a movie when you sing a song, and then make random snapshots from it. I think you get my point.

But in the end, yes of course Ayumi has changed. 10 years!? Holy crap, that's half my lifetime.

I chose mostly video screencaps since a lot of her still photographs are altered in post-production..

I dunno, she still looks really different compared to like 2 years ago. Like, her figure changed a bit, and you can tell if you compare her body during AT05 or AT06 to now.

Well, I don't think it's good to use still shots from media that is supposed to be viewed at 25fps, especially not if you want to use them for comparisons to other images etc. Actually watching the entire videos and comparing them to each other would be more fair.

Unfortunately we have an extremely limited amount of unedited or 'normal' photographs of Ayumi, namely zero, I'd say. What if we had one without makeup. I can imagine the scream of terror from 99% of Ayumi's fans if some high quality picture like that would actually leak. I know I'd be surprised myself.

But yeah, 60 posts in this thread and I think everyone agree on that her looks has changed in one way or the other, it's being brought up every half year or so and it always turns into a mess of fat or ugly OMG's being thrown here and there and other people trying to soothe it. That's AHS for you :).

A lot of her looks also depends on her hairstyle - her face changes something crazy by switching hairstyle, what kind of makeup she's wearing and, most of all, the light setting. That's why still pictures are so unfair towards someone, because it's very easy to look extremely different, ugly or older in one shot and the opposite in another.

But yup, looks like she put on some weight like that other time she went to LA. I wouldn't say that makes her look bad, that's solely the bad picture's own fault. I can imagine how extremely easy it is for a person like her to put on visible weight, due to her height and extremely fit body.

The first picture is scary due to the makeup, but to be honest?

I think she looks DAMN FINE with a little meat on her bones :P Looks more like a woman in her 30s now, whereas before she always looked like a 20-year-old.

^she actually looks a lot older in those last two pictures...


Yes Ayu looks different in ways...she's uh...aging? you know that natural process...

however...A while back Miss Zero was doing a project that involved comparing pictures of ayu when she was young, with pictures now, without all her make up, which really does wonders for those of you who dont understand...and honestly...she hasn't changed all that much...

I actually don't like the heavier ayu...I think it makes her look a lot older than what she is...but I mean...she is a woman...nature is against us lol. And I mean...everyone was always like, she's too skinny or wahtever...but not really..yeah she was 90 pounds...but she's a small person with a small frame. She's not supposed to be 110 or 120, or the average...whatever.

From personal experience, hairstyle affects appearance quite a bit, especially the shape of the face.

I agree with Immel.

WTF is that yellow thing she is wearing in those pics??? What is with that hair?? Good God!

Yup, her immature is gone..
The Song for Xx period t/m Duty or whatever... she was kinda a little girl with a sweet baby face..
Now she got more power! Her hairstyles aren't girlish anymore.. she became a real woman!

WoW.. I really can't believe that her so-called "upper-body" had "expanded" so much! I can't believe that is her!

Her upper body has never been exactly slender. I guess that's where it shows most obviously when she has gained weight. Actually, i felt that she already looks powerful and womanly from RAINBOW onwards. Except that last time it was more subtle, an inner strength. Now it's a little in your face. Not unpleasant but i would rather it be toned down.

Well she has definitely gained weight but I feel it suits her. However it seems that recently her weight seems to go up and down frequently. I noticed they had to alter her costumes by the end of AT08 because she gained weight.

... What the hell is that? That's not Ayu is it?

Whoever the make up artist for that day was needs to be shot. Repeatedly.

I mus be the only one who thinks she looks fine in those pictures. And the other ones posted.

She looks great recently. I actually thought her face bloated up in the past year or so but in those recent HK pics it appears to be false, maybe it was the hair or makeup.

She did put on a bit of weight this year but I always thought it was linked to the death of her friend earlier during the GUILTY days. Some people gain weight during periods of depression. Less physical activity, eats more, etc. Its not necessarily bad. Looks to me like she gained weight in all the right places (I think most of you would get my drift :laugh)

^Her boobs certainly benefitted from the weight gain IMO.

Hmmm.. It makes sense, but most people would think the other way round;
her depression lead to some stress which makes her slim down. But your explanation makes sense anyway..

LOL! Her puberty just started, hehe, LOL!
But if only she slims down a bit..

It is Ayu, look carefully again. Well, I guess you don't see Ayu's face much, do you?

I'm pretty sure GRACE was being sarcastic :laugh

Anyway, I know Ayu is used to wearing a ton of makeup but now that she's getting a bit older I think she should opt for the natural look more. Like in the pics posted....her body looks fine but her face seems to be weighed down by all the excess makeup.

Yes... I think, she Looks different now.
Well.. when I compare her im 1998 and 2008... she looks more matured. Well.. she is an adult now. And... her style changed... her Make up changed.
Ayu is almost 30. She can not look any more like when she was 20. Thats life.

I was being sarcastic =/

I don't know what was wrong in that picture, but she reminded me of my fifth grade teacher, who had to be like... 500 or something x_x... I blame the makeup artist who did her up that day, because that's not what she looks like >.>

Seriously, everyone should start thinking back a bit. This quote makes sense.

Recently, I read a composition written by someone else, it sayz things like this;
To my disappointment, most people love stars for their looks and appearance. Everyone should be focusing on their talents, and not their looks or appearance.

This had been a long thread, and I wish it can be closed 'cuz it's too ... I dunno what to describe.

^I seriously thought that was Tila Tequila. :/

She does indeed look different, I just can't quite place my finger on it. She's still very much beautiful for her age. Anyway, I suppose its the overload of make-up I've been seeing lately. She really does look beautiful natural without the painted face IMO.