|
I agree that Madonna certainly had a more direct influence on her. At the same time though, I don't think Ayu is that much like her. Madonna is an artist that reinvents herself drastically, takes huge career risks, and is most of the time rather brash and controversial. Ayu is not nearly as ambitious (thank god!)
Ayu and MJ's similarities are more subtle I think. They both seem to be under large amounts of scrutiny in regards to their appearance/plastic surgery. In fact, I just came across a thread on 2ch "浜崎あゆみは何故マイケル並の大整形をしたのか？4" (translates to something like; Why did Hamasaki Ayumi get big plastic surgery like Michael? pt.4) I get the feeling Ayu is considered the MJ of Japan in regards to how much plastic surgery she gets (Not saying that Ayu has gotten surgery, but in Japan it seems to be accepted as a widely known fact). The CNN interview of Ayu saying that she never wants to grow up and feels like she is still a child also reminded me a little bit of Mike's situation.
I thought Dome Tour was very MJ. The global/world peace theme - total MJ. And that concert was HUGE. The Arena Tour's thereafter seemed a lot more like Madonna/Janet type concerts.
I think what Ayu really learned from pop superstars like MJ and Madonna, is the ability to become her own artist. There's just nobody quite like her. That's what makes her so iconic.
|