[mikewallace]

She was in New York before she became a big star for a while I believe. I think it was to take a break from Japan's strict culture.

Quote: The next year, Ayumi accepted the deal and agreed to take singing classes. She missed most of the classes and the label later sent her to New York for lessons in the summer of 1997. This time she enjoyed the class and sharpened her talent in just three months.

"Going to New York promised me nothing in terms of becoming professional. I just had to believe in myself." Ayumi Hamasaki