[Midori-chan]

1.) How long have you been a fan of Ayu? In how many ways has this musician/artist changed your life?
I’ve been a fan for more than eight years now.
And Ayu has saved my life – literally. Before I knew her, I was a shy, timid and lonely person. I hated my life, because I had nothing and nobody to live for. I was a very weak person back then, I guess, because I thought that bad things only happen to me. But after I met Ayu…well, she showed me that bad things can make us stronger in the end and that nothing is sadder than giving up.
Ayu has gone through so much **** in her life and she can still go on living and smiling. That’s the reason why she is my role model.
Because of her, I'm an independent woman now, who can keep her head up without the help of others!!

2.) Do you find yourself inspired/influenced by her? If so, can you name some instances?
Even before I knew Ayu, I wrote poems and stories. I’m a quite creative and artistic person myself, but Ayu’s lyrics always urge me on to give my best.
So I would say that her strength and courage influences me.

3.) What can you say about her fashion tastes and music style(s)?
I love them both. I admire that Ayu can pull of any outfit, without looking ridiculous or stupid in it.
What I love about her music is that she is taking risks. She tries new things and even when there are always people, who don’t like her for doing so, she will not stop.

4.) What do you love the most about Ayu?
Besides her music and her lyrics, I love her personality most. She is so successful, but still such a humble person. She is nice to her fans and always has a smile for us. She even tells us about very personal things, other celebrities would keep quite about.
I love it, that she trusts us fans so much!

5.) How do you think Ayu presents herself to the world? Do you think she has an "edge" over others (who are in the same industry as hers)?
For me, Ayu is more real than other people in the JPop-industry. I don’t know how and I can’t say, if I’m right, but when she smiles, then I don’t doubt this smile to be real. When she cries, I don’t doubt these tears to be real.
Ayu often talks about “having to wear a mask” in her lyrics and I know how it feels to wear a mask. Maybe because of that I can see through this mask of hers…

6.) Have you ever talked with Ayu? How was she like?
I hope that I’ll have the opportunity to talk with her one day!

7.) Can you describe what her music is like?
Healing and emotional.
She doesn’t only sing about the fun and good times, but also about pain, hate, lost…bad things. She shows us, that the world is not a good place indeed, that you have to put up a fight sometimes, but that you should never give up.
I love it that her lyrics are so meaningful and deep most of the time and not only stupid pop-blabla like the lyrics of other JPop-singers.

8.) What kind of personality do you think she has? (Is she warm, friendly, etc.)
A friendly and warm personality, but we all know that even she can be stressed out and pissed up sometimes and that’s what makes her real to me.
She is not a puppet, but a human being with all her mistakes and faults. I can’t help, but love her even more for “not being perfect”!

9.) What can you say about the people she works with? (The photographer, director, etc.)
Not much, actually. I know most of her dancers very well and also some stuff members, but that’s it.
But I know that Ayu likes them very much and cares for them deeply.

10.) If you've been a fan of hers for more than two years now, do you believe that there has been a change in her personality in some ways over the past years of her career?
Well, she was very shy when she started her career. She has more control about the things she does now and grew into a strong and independent woman.
But I don’t think that her personality changed. She tried different styles through these years, but she always remained the same Hamasaki Ayumi I love.

11.) Lastly, can you name some of your favorite songs by Ayu?
The song I love more than any other song is “Endless sorrow”. It was my first Ayu song and it’s the reason why I’m a loyal Ayuist now.
And my other favourite songs change on a daily basis.