ayu depended on madonna's works since she started I believe.
AVEX let their artists copy/use/borrow/get inspired by MANY successful western stars
not only ayumi, but I've seen similarities between other j-pop artists and western artists.
Even when Startin' came out, we all knew that the pv was "inspired" in britney's Toxic videoclip xD
Anyway... I believe that ayu still doing her own thing after all.
The empathy between her and her fans is what makes her special
As well as her music and lyrics <3