I do think that her reputation changes and changed just following her career ups & downs
like if you read her debut album A Song for XX interviews & such, and the questions she has to answer and some radio interviews where people called her and asked random stuff you can clearly see that her image was like she's a newbie but with potential because actually many people liked her debut album. mainly for lyrics of course and no one knew her clearly so she was a kind of mysterious person to them, maybe an alien like, because of the way she wrote the lyrics and the way she replied to the queastions talking about "Ayu is that Ayu is" like about another person. she did seem like a weirdo.
but when the sucess came seems like she actually became more opened and thus of course more rumours etc spread out. but considering NTV 2000 report & such she was considered to be a young innocent talent, natural by the way, not plastic, with much potential, will and future ahead. she seemed lovely to many people.
in 2001 when she was the queen and such many cases were reported in the media about her bad behaviour and celeb's queen attitude like this case with her dog tail and also that she was too vain and demanding towards her staff. but back then, it was my fav era. I knew she was a perfectionst and idk what about now, but back then she was going to get fired by avex and she put it as "I wanted my final work to be complete and perfect, because it was going to be my last and somehow indicate what I am and what I have gained throughout the years, I wanted to prove my strength talent and ability to myself, first of all, and then to avex and my fans". she kinda wanted to punch avex in the face with this. she put all in A BEST and I still think it's her best and her best era. of course because of that she appeared in 40+ covers and programmes and there was a huge promo.
but back then
the way people reacted was quite different. of course some were amused but some hated her so much for being everywhere - in KOSE etc ads everywhere in the city & tv, 40+ covers and that when the rumours about her surgery, being fake plastic vain etc arouse. when the fame came.
but even so before that when she released "M" and it was a huge sucess wasn't she actually praised much by the media & public for composing such a big hit and being the author of both music & lyrics?? they all were so surprised and actually acknowledged her talent.
of course in 2002 many were dissapointed because after the sucess of A BEST she didn't manage to keep it up. although I do love I am...but that's people, it's never enough for them. and they told smth like "her era is over" back then, gosh.
in 2002-2003 everything went smooth and the promo was big and ayu ready began and she went to perform in asia and was everywhere again. people talked about her & tomoya & she still had many contracts, and wedding rumour because she had that ring on her middle findger that he presented to her. and her 5th anniversarry. and tour and stadium tour.
in 2004 there was that managament scandal when she told everyone that if avex didn't keep that certain person she'd leave. it was a scandal, wasn't it? ayu ready? ratings never were great but they just fell so gradually and the scandal came up so they closed the programme and her promotions kinda fell too.
with MY STORY she showed new image & new color but the sales were good.and many didn't like the album too and it wasn't Ayuish.
but then after MY STORY maybe because her music changed and promotions and contracts it kinds feels like the interest fell.
with A BEST 2 it was triggered off again but somehow it felt flat or smth. I dunno but public did react quite calmly to that in Japan, kinda, considering it was her best after all.
at that time due to her classic dressups & kira kira jewelry everywhery she was called diva etc. and even more rumours about her retirement & such
and don't forget the glitter/fated case. all newspapers around Japan & Asia talking about Ayu this/that. Ayu on CNN. Asia tour. media renews the report with fresh photos every freaking day. Ayu new rumours with that Chinese actor dont-remember-his-name. and of course the Tomoya break-up. that many accussations of break-up. and much approval too, talking about how bad he was, how good she is to tolerate him, that he was constantly beating her, going out with other girls etc. sympathy and hatred there.
and also that it was 7 years and why they didn't marry and that avex is a monster or TOKIO's management is a monstaaa and that Tomoya wanted to marry and to have children but she refused every time. and how could it be to dump him so easily after 7 years etc
doesn't it count???
and after that bad evolution performance not long ago. media reporting. I bet it hurt her pride, no?
and then that Mannie again, accusing & approving and surprise and disrespect.
it's just normal the popularity fades etc. the media and Ayu itself make the reputation. the image, the fashion, it all counts. the promotion, the certain period of life.
she was quite reserved for a period of her life but now she's more opened and I guess it can hurt reputation even more. her twitter weibo etc and her blog changed. so she makes her reputation itself too, partly.
but in many interviews she said that she has to put up with all response she gets because she's a public person. "I am Ayumi Hamasaki and no one can change that". and she said many times she didn't care what people think actually.
but now at twitter sometimes we see that something, some response hurts her. so....I think she does care about her reputation. but there are certain factors she can't change unfortunately.
sorry for the long post, I love Ayu no matter how many negative comments about her new stuff I post here. she contrubited too much for my life
I think now people don't care about her. they care less about Kuu too. every of them - Ayu, Kuu, Namie, Hikki - they have their certiain niche. but now it's all about hallyu wave and groups and people care too too much less about solo artists. I dunno why, I adore icons. these people are iconic enough, no? some would disagree that Kuu is an icon but to my mind she is, so. I think they are icons and they have that reputation so they are like music heritage, I think.