Quote:
Originally Posted by orbitalaspect
And I think it's also a testament to Utada playing her cards right. She's never done anything scandalous or shameful to the public. And she evolved. I think because every release is "fresh", it's been hard to fall out with Utada. She won't be selling 3X Platinum forever, but that's a pretty big feat for a comeback these days.
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I think there is also something to be said about her fanbase, and her overall personality here. She was (and is) allowed to exist as both an insider and and outsider in Japan, since she was raised in the US. She was foreign enough to be interesting, while still being Japanese (and, as mentioned, coming from good lineage). Hikki's overall approach/personality has never been "celebrity" - I think she is seen as more of a famous, talent singer than a personality or celebrity (funny enough, I think this is exactly what Namie wanted to be).
But I digress.
Hikki did marry a man older than her, and ultimately divorce him. She has now re-married, had a kid, and lives abroad. These are very similar things to what Ayu did that caused her fanbase (and the general public) to abandon her. Is it because with Ayu it was a foreigner? It is because Ayu is more "celebrity" and therefore a bigger target? Is it because Ayu is Japanese born and raised? Who knows, but I do think it also highlights the difference in their respective images and fan-bases.