[Article] herworldPLUS - Ayumi Hamasaki: “I was a tomboy, a strange kid”

[KarenPang]

In town for A-Nation Singapore, J-pop queen Ayumi Hamasaki reveals a lesser-known factoid that she was a loner growing up and how fans here may see her again soon

Japanese pop queen Ayumi Hamasaki may be known for her chameleon-like ways when it comes to her personal style. But not as many would know that the singer was more of a “tomboy” in her teenage years; a little quotable tidbit that she shared while at the A-Nation press conference in Singapore.



She’s here for the first-ever A-Nation Singapore music festival, which will take place tomorrow on October 18, 2014 at The MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands.

Dressed in a figure-hugging embellished midi dress at the press conference, the star spoke to reporters fluently in English in the 10 minutes that she was on stage.



Although the star declined to chat about her personal life — she quietly got wed to a young medical student in February 2014 — she did share some fun tidbits about her old school days and some personal regrets; here’s what we gleaned from her brief appearance earlier today.

She was a teenage “tomboy”
The Japanese star revealed that she wasn’t “a girlie girl” when she was growing up; a huge difference from the glamour queen that Hamasaki has often been pictured as. “When I was younger, I was kind of a tomboy and kind of liked to be alone, a strange kid,” admits Hamasaki.

Her biggest regret in life
The star, who has been performing for nearly 20 years rebukes rumours that she may quit showbiz. “If I really wanted to [quit], I think I would have already done it,” shares Hamasaki. “But I’m still here which means I can’t picture life without music.”

Yet she still remains rueful about that one major milestone that she failed to complete — the joys and pains of school life. “I quit school early and that really is one of the biggest regrets of mine,” says Ayumi Hamasaki. “So I want to say to all students to just enjoy [their schooldays] and not give up.”

At the same time, the pop queen dismisses comments about jumping onto the Korean-inspired pop bandwagon by saying simply that she wants to remain true to herself, when it comes to her lyrics and image. “I don’t really care if it’s trendy or not,” declares the star. “That’s my style.”

Ayumi in Singapore again, soon?
While the songstress had previously performed in Singapore for the MTV Asia Music Festival in 2002, she has still yet to stage a solo concert here. But the star doesn’t rule out that possibility, when quizzed by a reporter. “I would love to, I hope we can make it happen,” says Hamasaki.

http://www.herworldplus.com/celebs-m...d#.VED8imeSwVD

[tsumekaze_]

She looks so beautiful. Love her dark hair.

[ExodusUK]

I hope we can get a video.

[TeamAyu2004]

She looks happy! And there is no surprise that she use to be a tomboy.

[LONJJONG]

Yay make a solo concert here!

[revolution9292]

let's make it happen!

[kendelle]

Video is here: http://razor.tv/video/999278/empress...s-to-singapore

No idea how to rip it though >__<

[Surreal17]

She looks beautiful.

[maxikot]

Her english improved drastically, compare this to her CNN interview from 2006 and it's wow.

[NintendoHTF1242]

omfg her English is SO good now!

[brener]

thanks for the video and honest, I WOWED at her english <3

[Refix]

Ah finally! A picture to comments for!
For press conference she nails it, although don't you think her eye shadows a bit too dark? I like when she make her hair like that, although adding pony like in CDL13.14 would be better. Or braid it! Messy braid bun like in her wedding dress photo shoot! Her dress looks elegant and prestige with some gold details, a statement that she still the queen no matter what.
I need to see the whole packaged appearance. Wish anyone post it on YOUTUBE.