StarTalk interview

[Andrenekoi]

^Timmy also speaks some Japanese, so they probably comunicate with each other with a mix of both languages depending on what they are trying to convey.

[oaristos]

Originally Posted by Chibi-Chan

If she's still struggling through the English language after all those years then her relationships with her ex-husband and husband have to be very superficial. What in the end makes her somehow superficial.

How rude is that. You're basically judging her current and previous relationships based on the fact that she is still struggling to communicate fluently in a foreign language. I'm Brazilian and I use English on a daily basis in an academic setting but I still have problems communicating with my American husband at home even though I've been here for a year. I believe that people almost have different "personalities" in each language they speak, and it's really hard to express yourself properly and "translate" your true self in different idioms. I think your comment was reductive and it bothered me a lot.

Also, I didn't read the rest of your gigantic post because I got like:

[Machiko]

Originally Posted by oaristos

How rude is that. You're basically judging her current and previous relationships based on the fact that she is still struggling to communicate fluently in a foreign language. I'm Brazilian and I use English on a daily basis in an academic setting but I still have problems communicating with my American husband at home even though I've been here for a year. I believe that people almost have different "personalities" in each language they speak, and it's really hard to express yourself properly and "translate" your true self in different idioms. I think your comment was reductive and it bothered me a lot.

Also, I didn't read the rest of your gigantic post because I got like:

Amen to this, I can also confirm that my english is FAR from fluent although I've been using (writing, hearing, not really speaking out loud, then I would just struggle even MORE) it in every day basis for years. I still keep forgetting basic words and grammar and I still need to look up how things are being said in english, and ESPECIALLY from Japanese to English there's even a bigger difference than from Swedish to English for instance. It is generally just plain rude judging someone's English skills when they're non-native speakers. Like just.

[Chris85]

Wow, there are some heated up discussions here:-) While I wouldn't go that far and call her a stuck up bitch, this was definitively the first time I saw her acting like a glamorous diva during an interview. Her attitude, movements, etc are completely different this time. I wonder how real Ayu looks like.

[//ABEST]

there was clearly something between her and Alvin and then she has to go to interview so maybe she can't be all relaxed since she has to act like everything is fine in her personal life

[YukiUsagi]

Can't stand watching this

[koumori]

As a note on the whole languages deal, people learn languages at different rates. Also, I think Ayu only began taking learning English seriously in her late twenties/early thirties - and I doubt this was through daily, focused tutoring either.
When she goes to spend time in countries where English is the main language, she is still surrounded by her staff that I assume all know Japanese. You would be surprised how easy it is to default to your native language when you can, especially when in situations where it can be hard to communicate otherwise.
Ayu is also famous for her ability to express herself through language so I think she holds Japanese very close to her heart and I doubt she will ever feel the same with English. It makes sense to me that she hasn't gained 'fluency' given her situation and her noted strength in Japanese.

As for judging her relationship, we only see the minimum amount of how she speaks to her husband, and her English we only see in controlled interview settings. I think when she's not under pressure to use English and can relax, it would come across much better. But that's even me assuming - their relationship is mostly a mystery to us, and making generalising statements about it to prove a point is sliding into strawman territory.

This is not really talking about the interview, just my two cents on some of the discussion points in the thread. I think it's obvious that Ayu has changed as a person hugely since her debut and she will give off a different persona because of that. She is no longer working 24/7 and fighting challenges of youth; she's a rich, successful businesswoman. I don't think people should be surprised. Liking it is a different matter altogether... I miss the 'old Ayu' and I don't feel as personally invested in her new public image, but it's been a long time. Some still act as if it's a personal betrayal that she grew up.

[Yoake]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

at the Alvin's birthday party Ayu wears the same dress
wonder when it was filmed - before or after. Maybe she was drunk? =)

best comment of this thread ^^

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane

Ugh I was going to stay out of this, but I can't resist making one comment:

Speaking a different language with a stranger and speaking it with someone you know is very different. With a friend or husband, you'll know what speech style to expect. You're used to their pronunciation. Her husband will probably also know what level she's at, and alter his English to it, subconsciously even.

I'm proud she has the guts to take on English interviews. Japanese and English are nothing alike. Aside from a few loanwords, there's no vocabulary to build on. And the grammar is completely different. Comparing it to English and German (or any other European language) is unfair.

I totally agree with you.

[pmcc1964]

What I felt sad on this interview was when she said about her private "I don't care. It's not important. I have to (be Ayu)..." etc. That's not what I want to hear from her. I just want her to be happy and some great songs from her, not wanting sharing some photos of her luxury but-its-not-important-life on instagram. I'd love to share if she loves her private. Or she calls even breakfast a promotion? ...sad.

[KPL]

I actually liked the fact that she changed, even if for some she's changing "for the worse".

If she's still the girl that writes about rebel and doesn't balance her own complex identities as a woman, a pop star, an artist etc, she will be the ultimate superficial product of "ayumi hamasaki", a perfect, immaculate, strong, yet crafted-by-avex girl that everyone loved so much and found it hard to let go of.

In the past, she stated clearly that she separated ayu from ayumi hamasaki. Therefore, it is by no means we can safely assume that the perfect ayumi hamasaki is a representation of her true self. Now she's caring less. She does not hide away herself anymore. She lets us see who she really is, and a real human being is necessarily complex, and sometimes scandalous too.

For me, it is a good thing that she's being more complex, sometimes a diva, other times a woman who shows more emotions and contemplates about life. I began to feel this way when the whole relationship era began (marriage, devorce, Maro etc). She will have flaws because she stops separating the private ayu and the public image, but as she said, "it's life."

[Next_Level29]

it is obvious that ayu had been nervous on that interview. she was really thinking about what she was saying and cared a lot about it. it seems to me that ayu wanted to create a 'perfect intervie' referring to language and pronounciation. it was kind'a sweet to ask her man for the right term. Humans keep being humans. It is admirable that she was willing to do this interview in english.

[Next_Level29]

^she was nervous she had to do play with something

[xLuna&1LOVE]

^ Yeah, right.

[MessiahofSilence]

I don't like the way Ayu's nails were done.
She seems like a totally different person.

[rikku1994]

It's funny that everyone here starts to think that they actually know Ayu...

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

^^RIGHT?!

[Delirium-Zer0]

Plus English is HARD. I'm 31, I have a degree in linguistics (with a focus on English Composition) and I STILL don't feel like I have a grasp on this language!! x_x

[channy]

Guys, I partially take back my critical view on this interview. I am having so much fun replaying it over and over again since a couple of days. Ayu's mimic, the engrish, that seaman's infinite-loop-instrumental, that super polite and serious chinese interviewer, Ayu's hairflip, her pose, the eyes and mouth work. The entire, somewhat absurd scenario makes me love this interview all of a sudden.


Some favourite quotes:

"It's been four eaaars."

"I hadda to do da"

"Alada my dreams came true."

"Yea, yea. Of course I will. I want to. I was want to - and I will."

"Jay jay gat an amazing voice, you know. I gad goosebams."

"I want to make... (short pause) what I want to make ._."


Perhaps this interview will become one of the most memorable appearances of Ayu, in an ironic but also enjoyable way. I mean, after almost 20 years, there barely exists any similar interview so far.

I still feel she's acting somewhat unprofessional throughout the interview but very human at the same time. Not happy about it but sometimes looking at things with a wink can truly help.

[a❤martian]

I think the whole interview was just super freaking awkward. From the fact that English was neither of their first language, to the interviewer clearly having a set list of polished questions, it just made for a cringe-worthy experience. And because Ayu's answers weren't as prepared as the questions I just got the impression she was just trying to not come off a complete fool. Which is understandable. Some of you may have enjoyed her for her flaws, but its stupid to be mad at her for trying to appear well put together in this interview.

[truehappiness]

I'm surprised at some of the reactions here. I thought it was a fine interview. She has come a long way from "Everybody has secret, you know?".