I had known about her since she did the song+nation song with BoA, but I didn't really know anything about her until Real Emotion / 1000 no Kotoba. And I didn't become a fan until BEST ~first things~.
Honestly, I really disliked Kumi Koda at first. Her voice bothered the crap out of me (...and still kinda does. >.>') and it made me so mad that whenever I was trying to get the full versions of Real Emotion and 1000 no Kotoba, Kumi kept coming up instead of Jade, lol. But one day it hit me: I really, really like this girl!
Of course, starting a few years ago, I had almost a hatred for her because of where she was going with her image. Her PVs disgusted me; I knew she was better than that. :\ And it didn't help that the guy I liked drooled over her non-stop. ^^' (But that man is now my husband, so I'm over it.
)
This past year, I have finally realised that no matter what Kuu does, I'll be there to follow her the whole way. She's tied for my favourite artist (Ayu being the other one, of course.)