Fri, June 12, 2009 (4:34pm EDT)
Talento Akari Hori (23) and professional jockey Kenichi Ikezoe (29) became parents last month, it was learned on Wednesday. Hori gave birth to a daughter on May 7 at a hospital in Nara.
Hori and Ikezoe got married last November after dating for only about eight months. Hori was three months pregnant at the time.
Hori and Ikezoe got married last November after dating for only about eight months. Hori was three months pregnant at the time.
Fri, June 12, 2009 (4:25pm EDT)
Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya will be performing in his first stage play in four years. He has been given the starring role in "Strangers on a Train" ("Mishiranu Joukyaku"), opening this summer.
The play is based on the popular novel of the same name, which was turned into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951. The suspenseful story tells of a wealthy young man named Bruno who happens to meet an up-and-coming architect named Guy during a train ride. They each have their own difficult personal circumstances, and Bruno proposes that they "exchange" murders - Bruno will kill Guy's unfaithful wife if Guy kills Bruno's father.
Robert Allan Ackerman, who has handled several Broadway productions, will produce the play. Ninomiya has been cast as the wild and devilish Bruno, while Kumiko Akiyoshi plays his mother. Shige Uchida is also part of the cast. Coincidentally, Akiyoshi previously played Ninomiya's mother in the 2003 movie "Ao no Hono," which also featured Ninomiya as a killer, though under different circumstances.
"Strangers on a Train" is being performed at The Globe Tokyo from July 18 to August 11.
The play is based on the popular novel of the same name, which was turned into a film by Alfred Hitchcock in 1951. The suspenseful story tells of a wealthy young man named Bruno who happens to meet an up-and-coming architect named Guy during a train ride. They each have their own difficult personal circumstances, and Bruno proposes that they "exchange" murders - Bruno will kill Guy's unfaithful wife if Guy kills Bruno's father.
Robert Allan Ackerman, who has handled several Broadway productions, will produce the play. Ninomiya has been cast as the wild and devilish Bruno, while Kumiko Akiyoshi plays his mother. Shige Uchida is also part of the cast. Coincidentally, Akiyoshi previously played Ninomiya's mother in the 2003 movie "Ao no Hono," which also featured Ninomiya as a killer, though under different circumstances.
"Strangers on a Train" is being performed at The Globe Tokyo from July 18 to August 11.
Fri, June 12, 2009 (2:58am EDT)
This summer, actress Saki Fukuda (18) will be releasing her first single in over two years. Her "Ashita e no Hikari" will serve as an insert song in her upcoming drama series "Maid Deka," which starts June 26 on TV Asahi.
Fukuda made her singing debut in 2005 with "Attack No. 1 2005," used as the theme song of the live-action "Attack No. 1" series that starred Aya Ueto. She released a total of five singles and one album before shifting her focus to acting.
She landed her first lead role in a drama series with this season's "Ghost Friends" on NHK. "Maid Deka" will be her second, in which she plays an undercover detective posing as a maid for a wealthy family.
It has also been announced that JYONGRI (20) is providing the show's theme song, her first for a serial drama. The song is titled "Muteki na Ai."
Fukuda's "Ashita e no Hikari" is set for release on August 12, and JYONGRI's "Muteki na Ai" will hit stores a week later on August 19.
Fukuda made her singing debut in 2005 with "Attack No. 1 2005," used as the theme song of the live-action "Attack No. 1" series that starred Aya Ueto. She released a total of five singles and one album before shifting her focus to acting.
She landed her first lead role in a drama series with this season's "Ghost Friends" on NHK. "Maid Deka" will be her second, in which she plays an undercover detective posing as a maid for a wealthy family.
It has also been announced that JYONGRI (20) is providing the show's theme song, her first for a serial drama. The song is titled "Muteki na Ai."
Fukuda's "Ashita e no Hikari" is set for release on August 12, and JYONGRI's "Muteki na Ai" will hit stores a week later on August 19.
Fri, June 12, 2009 (2:31am EDT)
The newest issue of FRIDAY magazine reports that Ayano Omoto (20), better known as Nocchi of the electropop trio Perfume, currently has a boyfriend. She is rumored to be dating Atsushi Horie (30), the vocalist and guitarist of rock band STRAIGHTENER.
In May, the pair went out drinking with a group of friends. Afterward, Nocchi went back home by herself, but Horie was seen going to her apartment later on that night.
Nocchi's management explained that the two musicians are merely good friends.
In May, the pair went out drinking with a group of friends. Afterward, Nocchi went back home by herself, but Horie was seen going to her apartment later on that night.
Nocchi's management explained that the two musicians are merely good friends.
Fri, June 12, 2009 (2:18am EDT)
Talento Mihoko Abe (33) is pregnant again, it was learned on Wednesday. She announced through her official website that she is expected to give birth this November.
Abe has been married to Korean soccer player Choi Sung-Yong (33) since 2003. She gave birth to their first son in 2006.
Abe has been married to Korean soccer player Choi Sung-Yong (33) since 2003. She gave birth to their first son in 2006.
