Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
Early Life
Aya Ueto was born in Nerima, Tokyo to an Hokkaidan father and Okinawan mother. Her parents divorced shortly after Ueto's debut. She has two brothers; Shun, two years older, and Makoto, sixteen years older. Despite growing up in a relatively poor household, Ueto studied piano, modern ballet, swimming and gymnastic. She did not have ambitions to become an entertainer; she wanted to become a pre-school teacher. However, after hearing about one of her friends' experience as an extra on a TV drama, she decided she too "wanted to appear on TV." Unbeknownst to her daughter, Aya Ueto's mother entered her into the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest.
Aged only twelve, Aya Ueto won the special jury prize at the contest. She revealed later on that her real motivation for doing well was to "win the two million yen cash prize to buy a house for her family," however because what she won was an ad hoc prize decided that day, there was no monetary reward. After her discovery, she joined the talent agency Oscar Promotion and began acting and singing lessons. In July 1998, Ueto joined the idol group Z-1. The group landed a regular spot on the variety shows Kaishingeki TV! Utaemon and The Yoru mo Hippare, and debuted on Toshiba EMI a year later with the single "Vibe!" In 1999, Aya Ueto obtained her first role in the film Satsujinsha: Killer of Paraiso, in which her lines were entirely in English.
Aya Ueto was born in Nerima, Tokyo to an Hokkaidan father and Okinawan mother. Her parents divorced shortly after Ueto's debut. She has two brothers; Shun, two years older, and Makoto, sixteen years older. Despite growing up in a relatively poor household, Ueto studied piano, modern ballet, swimming and gymnastic. She did not have ambitions to become an entertainer; she wanted to become a pre-school teacher. However, after hearing about one of her friends' experience as an extra on a TV drama, she decided she too "wanted to appear on TV." Unbeknownst to her daughter, Aya Ueto's mother entered her into the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest.
Aged only twelve, Aya Ueto won the special jury prize at the contest. She revealed later on that her real motivation for doing well was to "win the two million yen cash prize to buy a house for her family," however because what she won was an ad hoc prize decided that day, there was no monetary reward. After her discovery, she joined the talent agency Oscar Promotion and began acting and singing lessons. In July 1998, Ueto joined the idol group Z-1. The group landed a regular spot on the variety shows Kaishingeki TV! Utaemon and The Yoru mo Hippare, and debuted on Toshiba EMI a year later with the single "Vibe!" In 1999, Aya Ueto obtained her first role in the film Satsujinsha: Killer of Paraiso, in which her lines were entirely in English.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
Career
In 2000, Aya Ueto portrayed the supporting role of Momo Fuchigami in the Fuji TV drama Namida o Fuite, starring Yōsuke Eguchi. The drama garnered strong ratings and gave Aya Ueto her then biggest exposure yet. In 2001, Aya Ueto appeared on the annual Victor Kōshien poster, which, in the past, kick-started the careers of Noriko Sakai and Miho Kanno. Later that year, she was cast in the role of Nao Tsurumoto, a student suffering from gender identity disorder (GID), in the sixth season of the TBS drama 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei. The role propelled her to stardom and earned her a Golden Arrow Award for Best Newcomer.
In January 2002, it was announced that Ueto would continue her music career as a solo artist under Pony Canyon subsidiary label, Flight Master. During her summer break from school, she appeared in a 5-episode arc of the long-running drama Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, and starred alongside Akiko Yada and Hiroshi Abe in the TBS drama My Little Chef. Aya Ueto released her first solo single, "Pureness", in August 2002. The song debuted at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, making it the first debut single by a female artist with no commercial tie-in to enter the top five in three years. In between filming her first feature film, Azumi, Aya Ueto released her second single, "Kizuna", and launched Seventeen's Map, a radio show on Nippon Hōsō. The program would go on to last four-and-a-half years, changing names after each of her birthdays to Eighteen's Road, Nineteen's Nine, Hatachi ni High Touch!, and 21 Peace!.
In 2000, Aya Ueto portrayed the supporting role of Momo Fuchigami in the Fuji TV drama Namida o Fuite, starring Yōsuke Eguchi. The drama garnered strong ratings and gave Aya Ueto her then biggest exposure yet. In 2001, Aya Ueto appeared on the annual Victor Kōshien poster, which, in the past, kick-started the careers of Noriko Sakai and Miho Kanno. Later that year, she was cast in the role of Nao Tsurumoto, a student suffering from gender identity disorder (GID), in the sixth season of the TBS drama 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei. The role propelled her to stardom and earned her a Golden Arrow Award for Best Newcomer.
In January 2002, it was announced that Ueto would continue her music career as a solo artist under Pony Canyon subsidiary label, Flight Master. During her summer break from school, she appeared in a 5-episode arc of the long-running drama Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, and starred alongside Akiko Yada and Hiroshi Abe in the TBS drama My Little Chef. Aya Ueto released her first solo single, "Pureness", in August 2002. The song debuted at number 4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart, making it the first debut single by a female artist with no commercial tie-in to enter the top five in three years. In between filming her first feature film, Azumi, Aya Ueto released her second single, "Kizuna", and launched Seventeen's Map, a radio show on Nippon Hōsō. The program would go on to last four-and-a-half years, changing names after each of her birthdays to Eighteen's Road, Nineteen's Nine, Hatachi ni High Touch!, and 21 Peace!.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
In early 2003, Aya Ueto starred in a remake of the 1993 drama Kōkō Kyōshi, alongside Naohito Fujiki. She released her third single, "Hello", followed by her first studio album, Ayaueto. In April 2003, it was revealed that Aya Ueto had taken a leave of absence from school to focus on her career. In a 2007 interview, she stated that, at the time, she was only getting two hours of sleep, trying to juggle work and school. In May 2003, Aya Ueto launched her first tour, Aya Ueto First Live Tour Pureness 2003, released a fourth single, "Message/Personal", and Azumi opened nationwide. Aya Ueto won several awards for her performance in Azumi. She swooped the Newcomer of the Year category of the Élan d'Or Awards, Japan Movie Critic Awards, Japanese Academy Awards, and Golden Arrow Awards; becoming the only actress to win two consecutive Golden Arrows for Newcomer of the Year. Aya Ueto received a nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at the Japanese Academy Awards and won the Popularity Award. In July 2003, Aya Ueto landed her first TV leading role in the TBS drama Hitonatsu no Papae, for which her fifth single, Kanshō, served as theme song. Despite low ratings, the single was well received on the charts, peaking at number 9.
In January 2004, Aya Ueto starred as Hiromi Oka in the live-action adaption of the popular manga Ace wo Nerae!. The drama earned her a The Television Drama Academy Award for Best Lead Actress. Aya Ueto's seventh single, "Ai no Tameni", served as theme song for the drama and became her best-selling single. In March 2004, Message was released and became her best-selling album. In December 2004, Aya Ueto released her third studio album, Re., starred alongside Ryūnosuke Kamiki in the film adaption of Risa Wataya's award-winning novel, Install, which premiered at the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival, and performed as top-batter at the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen. With eighteen advertising contracts for sixteen companies, Aya Ueto was crowned CM Queen of 2004.
In January 2004, Aya Ueto starred as Hiromi Oka in the live-action adaption of the popular manga Ace wo Nerae!. The drama earned her a The Television Drama Academy Award for Best Lead Actress. Aya Ueto's seventh single, "Ai no Tameni", served as theme song for the drama and became her best-selling single. In March 2004, Message was released and became her best-selling album. In December 2004, Aya Ueto released her third studio album, Re., starred alongside Ryūnosuke Kamiki in the film adaption of Risa Wataya's award-winning novel, Install, which premiered at the 17th Tokyo International Film Festival, and performed as top-batter at the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen. With eighteen advertising contracts for sixteen companies, Aya Ueto was crowned CM Queen of 2004.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
In 2005, Aya Ueto appeared in the NHK taiga drama Yoshitsune, portrayed twin sisters in a remake of the drama Koto, and starred in the sequel to Azumi, Azumi 2: Death or Love. In April 2005, she starred in the TV Asahi-produced live-action adaption of another popular manga, Attack No. 1. "Yume no Chikara", the theme song for the drama, became her ninth top ten single. Aya Ueto next starred in two TV movies produced to commemorate TBS' 50th anniversary: Misora Hibari Tanjō Monogatar, a Misora Hibari biopic co-starring Izumi Pinko, and Nada Sōsō, Kono Ai ni Ikite, co-starring Hitomi Kuroki. She launched her second tour, Aya Ueto Live Tour 2005: Genki Hatsu Ratsū?, released her twelfth single, "Kaze wo Ukete," and first remix album, Uetoayamix. Aya Ueto was appointed mascot girl for the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship and covered the tournament as a special presenter for NTV.
In 2006, Aya Ueto attended her Coming of Age ceremony, acted as special presenter for NTV's coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics and made a guest appearance as herself in the anime Meitantei Conan, for which she was chosen as special supporter. She released her thirteenth single, "Egao no Mama de," followed by her fourth studio album, License. Aya Ueto starred in Celeb, the first episode of the drama adaption of the cell phone novel Tsubasa no Oreta Tenshitachi. Her episode was the highest rated of the series. The drama marked Ueto's first appearance on a Fuji TV drama in six years, since Namida wo Fuite (2000). She starred alongside Ryo Nishikido in a modern-day remake of the 1970 drama, Attention Please, which became her most successful drama to date. It spawned two specials: Attention Please: Yōko, Hawaii ni Tobu (2007) and Attention Please: Sydney, Australia (2008). Aya Ueto next starred in the Yukihiko Tsutsumi-directed comedy, Shimokita Sundays. The drama failed to capture audiences and was one of the worst-rated of the summer. In September 2006, Aya Ueto released her first compilation album, Best of Uetoaya: Single Collection, which peaked at number 5. In December 2006, she hosted the 32nd Radio Charity Musicthon and acted as special presenter for NTV's coverage of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
In 2006, Aya Ueto attended her Coming of Age ceremony, acted as special presenter for NTV's coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics and made a guest appearance as herself in the anime Meitantei Conan, for which she was chosen as special supporter. She released her thirteenth single, "Egao no Mama de," followed by her fourth studio album, License. Aya Ueto starred in Celeb, the first episode of the drama adaption of the cell phone novel Tsubasa no Oreta Tenshitachi. Her episode was the highest rated of the series. The drama marked Ueto's first appearance on a Fuji TV drama in six years, since Namida wo Fuite (2000). She starred alongside Ryo Nishikido in a modern-day remake of the 1970 drama, Attention Please, which became her most successful drama to date. It spawned two specials: Attention Please: Yōko, Hawaii ni Tobu (2007) and Attention Please: Sydney, Australia (2008). Aya Ueto next starred in the Yukihiko Tsutsumi-directed comedy, Shimokita Sundays. The drama failed to capture audiences and was one of the worst-rated of the summer. In September 2006, Aya Ueto released her first compilation album, Best of Uetoaya: Single Collection, which peaked at number 5. In December 2006, she hosted the 32nd Radio Charity Musicthon and acted as special presenter for NTV's coverage of the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
In 2007, Aya Ueto starred in the two-part Yoshiko Ōtaka biopic, Ri Kouran. In March 2007, Aya Ueto released "Way to Heaven," her first single in over a year, and made a guest appearance in the eighth season finale of the TBS drama Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari. In April 2007, Aya Ueto was cast in a remake of the Korean drama Hotelier, which recorded low ratings. The theme song, "Namida no Niji," was released in May 2007. The single marked Ueto's first foray into songwriting. In an interview with Oricon Style, she revealed that the reason she insisted on not writing her own lyrics until then was because she felt "shy" about "opening herself completely" to her audience. Aya Ueto held her third tour, Aya Ueto Best Live Tour 2007 Never Ever, in the summer of 2007. At the release event of the concert DVD, she stated that the tour refreshed her after a year of ups and downs. Aya Ueto next starred alongside Hideaki Itō in the TBS period piece Wachigaiya Itosato, and alongside Yō Ōizumi in the Fuji TV drama, Abarenbō Mama, which was well received by critics and audiences alike.
In 2008, Aya Ueto won the Asakusa Entertainment Newcomer Prize, which is awarded to the most prominent entertainers based in Tokyo. She starred in her first NTV drama, Hokaben. In August 2008, Ueto became the first actress to ever appear on official postage stamps by releasing an original set with photos taken from her 2007 tour. She made a secret guest appearance at the 2008 Kobe Collection runway show, where she modeled for Emanuel Ungaro. In October 2008, Aya Ueto next starred in her ninth TV drama leading role in the Fuji TV comedy Celeb to Binbō Taro, alongside Shūchishin member, Yūsuke Kamiji. Aya Ueto attended the premiere of Saki Fukuda's first feature film Sakura no Sono, in which she makes a supporting appearance, at the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival. In December 2008, Aya Ueto hosted two of the year's biggest festivities: the M-1 Grand Prix and 50th Japan Record Awards. She hosted the former for the third consecutive year.
In 2008, Aya Ueto won the Asakusa Entertainment Newcomer Prize, which is awarded to the most prominent entertainers based in Tokyo. She starred in her first NTV drama, Hokaben. In August 2008, Ueto became the first actress to ever appear on official postage stamps by releasing an original set with photos taken from her 2007 tour. She made a secret guest appearance at the 2008 Kobe Collection runway show, where she modeled for Emanuel Ungaro. In October 2008, Aya Ueto next starred in her ninth TV drama leading role in the Fuji TV comedy Celeb to Binbō Taro, alongside Shūchishin member, Yūsuke Kamiji. Aya Ueto attended the premiere of Saki Fukuda's first feature film Sakura no Sono, in which she makes a supporting appearance, at the 21st Tokyo International Film Festival. In December 2008, Aya Ueto hosted two of the year's biggest festivities: the M-1 Grand Prix and 50th Japan Record Awards. She hosted the former for the third consecutive year.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
In January 2009, Aya Ueto launched her first wedding dress collection, in collaboration with bridal shop Joyful Eli, entitled U Aya Ueto Dresses. While she has designed her own tour merchandise in the past, namely the T-shirt line Buddy in 2005, U marks Ueto's first official foray into fashion design. A second collection was announced in July 2009. In April 2009, she starred alongside SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai in her first Getsuku drama, Konkatsu!. Aya Ueto next co-starred with Hayato Ichihara in the Shunji Iwai-produced CG animation film, Baton, created in commemoration of the Port of Yokohama's 150th anniversary. The film, reunited her with Azumi director Ryuhei Kitamura. In June 2009, after a two year hiatus, Aya Ueto resumed her singing career by releasing the Kohmi Hirose-produced single "Smile for...," followed by her fifth studio album, Happy Magic: Smile Project. In November 2009, Aya Ueto co-starred with Tetsuya Watari in the Sugako Hashida-written and Fukuko Ishii-produced TV movie, Kekkon.
In 2010, Aya Ueto launched her third and fourth wedding dress collections, starred alongside Kin'ya Kitaōji in the Fuji TV drama Zettai Reido, and made a cameo appearance in Shun Oguri's directorial debut, Surely Someday. In August 2010, Aya Ueto co-starred with Masaaki Uchino for the first time since Ace o Nerae! (2004) in her first NHK drama leading role, Jūnensaki mo Kimi ni Koishite. In September 2010, Aya Ueto portrayed blind singer-songwriter Satoko Tatemichi in the TV movie Ai wa Mieru. Aya Ueto next co-starred with Yutaka Takenouchi in her second Getsuku drama, Nagareboshi. The drama was very well received by critics and audiences alike and was the second best rated of the fall season. Aya Ueto won Best Supporting Actress at the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix and The Television Drama Academy Award for her role in Nagareboshi. Boasting advertising contracts with 13 different companies, Aya Ueto was crowned CM Queen for a second consecutive year, making it the fifth time she has held the title.
In February 2011, Aya Ueto launched her fifth wedding dress collection. In July 2011, Aya Ueto reprised the role of detective Izumi Sakuragi for a second season of Zettai Reido. Aya Ueto was confirmed to appear in the series finale of the long-running drama Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, scheduled to air in September 2011. She will also star alongside Hiroshi Abe for the first time in ten years, since My Little Cheff (2002), in the film adaptation of Thermae Romae (2012). Filming started in Rome on March 14 and is expected to finish in early May.
In 2010, Aya Ueto launched her third and fourth wedding dress collections, starred alongside Kin'ya Kitaōji in the Fuji TV drama Zettai Reido, and made a cameo appearance in Shun Oguri's directorial debut, Surely Someday. In August 2010, Aya Ueto co-starred with Masaaki Uchino for the first time since Ace o Nerae! (2004) in her first NHK drama leading role, Jūnensaki mo Kimi ni Koishite. In September 2010, Aya Ueto portrayed blind singer-songwriter Satoko Tatemichi in the TV movie Ai wa Mieru. Aya Ueto next co-starred with Yutaka Takenouchi in her second Getsuku drama, Nagareboshi. The drama was very well received by critics and audiences alike and was the second best rated of the fall season. Aya Ueto won Best Supporting Actress at the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix and The Television Drama Academy Award for her role in Nagareboshi. Boasting advertising contracts with 13 different companies, Aya Ueto was crowned CM Queen for a second consecutive year, making it the fifth time she has held the title.
In February 2011, Aya Ueto launched her fifth wedding dress collection. In July 2011, Aya Ueto reprised the role of detective Izumi Sakuragi for a second season of Zettai Reido. Aya Ueto was confirmed to appear in the series finale of the long-running drama Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari, scheduled to air in September 2011. She will also star alongside Hiroshi Abe for the first time in ten years, since My Little Cheff (2002), in the film adaptation of Thermae Romae (2012). Filming started in Rome on March 14 and is expected to finish in early May.
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
Facts about Aya Ueto
Aya Ueto (Ueto Aya, 上戸彩, うえとあや) was born in Saitama Prefecture and lives in Tokyo, she is a famous Japanese actress, singer, model, tarento, and occasional radio personality. Born in Nerima, Tokyo, Aya Ueto was discovered when she participated in the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest, where she won the special jury prize. At the age of thirteen, Aya Ueto made her acting debut, in the film Satsujinsha: Killer of Paraiso (1999), and she and fellow Japan Bishōjo Contest participants, Mami Nejiki, Mai Fujiya, and Manami Nishiwaki, formed the unsuccessful idol group Z-1. In 2002, after their disbandment, Ueto continued her music career as a solo artist, under the record label Pony Canyon, where she debuted with the single "Pureness."
Aya Ueto's breakthrough came when she was cast as a high school student suffering from gender identity disorder (GID), in the sixth season of the long-running TBS drama 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei. Her critically acclaimed performance led to several leading roles and endorsements, eventually establishing herself as one of Japan's most recognizable faces. As one of Japan's most ubiquitous celebrities, Aya Ueto constantly appears on billboards, shop windows and train adverts, and has held the annual title of CM Queen five times since 2004.
Aya Ueto has also ventured onto the big screen, in the lead role in Ryuhei Kitamura's blockbuster Azumi (2003), which earned her a nomination for a Japan Academy Award for Best Actress, its sequel, Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005), and the upcoming film adaption of Thermae Romae (2012).
Aya Ueto (Ueto Aya, 上戸彩, うえとあや) was born in Saitama Prefecture and lives in Tokyo, she is a famous Japanese actress, singer, model, tarento, and occasional radio personality. Born in Nerima, Tokyo, Aya Ueto was discovered when she participated in the 7th Japan Bishōjo Contest, where she won the special jury prize. At the age of thirteen, Aya Ueto made her acting debut, in the film Satsujinsha: Killer of Paraiso (1999), and she and fellow Japan Bishōjo Contest participants, Mami Nejiki, Mai Fujiya, and Manami Nishiwaki, formed the unsuccessful idol group Z-1. In 2002, after their disbandment, Ueto continued her music career as a solo artist, under the record label Pony Canyon, where she debuted with the single "Pureness."
Aya Ueto's breakthrough came when she was cast as a high school student suffering from gender identity disorder (GID), in the sixth season of the long-running TBS drama 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei. Her critically acclaimed performance led to several leading roles and endorsements, eventually establishing herself as one of Japan's most recognizable faces. As one of Japan's most ubiquitous celebrities, Aya Ueto constantly appears on billboards, shop windows and train adverts, and has held the annual title of CM Queen five times since 2004.
Aya Ueto has also ventured onto the big screen, in the lead role in Ryuhei Kitamura's blockbuster Azumi (2003), which earned her a nomination for a Japan Academy Award for Best Actress, its sequel, Azumi 2: Death or Love (2005), and the upcoming film adaption of Thermae Romae (2012).
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
Name (English): Aya Ueto
Name (Romaji): Ueto Aya
Name (Japanese): 上戸彩, うえとあや
Birth Name: 上戸彩, うえとあや
Real Name: 上戸彩, うえとあや, Ueto Aya
Nickname:
Alias:
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black
Skin Color: Yellow
Age: 26
Date of Birth: September 14, 1985
Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
Place of Living: Tokyo, Japan
Zodiac: Virgo
Blood Type: O
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 44 kg
Bust: 84 cm
Waist: 56 cm
Hip: 84 cm
Shoe Size: 22.5 cm
Country: Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Ethnicity:
Occupation: Actress, Singer, Model, Tarento, Fashion Designer, Radio Personality
Name (Romaji): Ueto Aya
Name (Japanese): 上戸彩, うえとあや
Birth Name: 上戸彩, うえとあや
Real Name: 上戸彩, うえとあや, Ueto Aya
Nickname:
Alias:
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black
Skin Color: Yellow
Age: 26
Date of Birth: September 14, 1985
Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
Place of Living: Tokyo, Japan
Zodiac: Virgo
Blood Type: O
Height: 162 cm
Weight: 44 kg
Bust: 84 cm
Waist: 56 cm
Hip: 84 cm
Shoe Size: 22.5 cm
Country: Japan
Nationality: Japanese
Ethnicity:
Occupation: Actress, Singer, Model, Tarento, Fashion Designer, Radio Personality
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
Japanese Actress and Model Aya Ueto Photo Gallery
