How messy was the divorce?

[Corvina]

Mannie's friend surely exaggerated like hell in his post, but there's always some truth in such things (and I also don't believe the post is fake).
Ayu having problems adapting a normal lifestyle... I totally can imagine that, cause after 14 years on top in Asia, of course she would have problems doing that.
She's human. Everybody would!
Also I think it's more like not having the staff around, all those people she's used to and is friends with, her beloved manager and so on.
Not necessarily the money or the fame (at least not only), but more the loneliness being just with Mannie in L.A.
You can be lonely in different ways.
It's probably far more complicated than anybody can imagine.

And though, those are all assumptions and personal feelings I have, nothing more, nothing less.
It's interesting to speculate, but nobody knows how it really was except those two.
In the end it doesn't matter what anybody of us thinks.
It doesn't change the way I see Ayu and also Mannie. It's just an image I have of them anyway.

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by happiholic★

Also, I don't see Ayu really wanting to not be Ayu. She may say she would like to walk around on the streets of Shibuya, but I feel like everyone who is famous has said that at one point. And honestly, I just find it annoying. Like, as a supporter, of any singer, I don't wanna hear that all the money and attention I'm giving is just a burden to the celebrity.

This!

[jbrat2219]

I don't doubt that Ayu has her "diva moments," but I don't think it is to the extent his friend expressed.

And I don't think Mannie is an attention ***** either. He is allegedly expressing his pain one way, and ayu in another. We all view ayu's expression as 'classy' or 'artistic' because we think we know her from being fans of her music. But we don't know Mannie. And many of us wrote him off as soon as we found out they got hitched. However, we have to remember two things:

1) Ayu is the one at fault. We may not know exactly what happened but she admitted that much herself. We do not have any evidence that Mannie did anything wrong.

And 2) Mannie can't tell his side of the story! He's bound by a confidentiality agreement - which for the most part he has been keeping. This random e-card may be his only way to truly get his feelings out there if he was talking about ayu at all. I know a lot of you don't like him but I think some of you are being too hard on the guy over absolutely nothing. It was joke for goodness sake.

[ownsarai]

^I agree with everything you said here.

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

1) Ayu is the one at fault. We may not know exactly what happened but she admitted that much herself. We do not have any evidence that Mannie did anything wrong.

Both are at fault the moment they all of sudden decided to marry without knowing how things would work out together. They're both adults with responsibilities, though it doesn't save anyone from making big mistakes in life, specially when passion is driving your actions. The fact ayu took the blame for herself doesn't necessarily mean she's singlehanded the one at absolute fault. Maybe she did that in order to preserve Mannie's privacy, because had she said otherwise, I'm sure some fans would be harrasing him on these personal online pages.

[jbrat2219]

But just because they foolishly got married only means they are at fault for foolishly getting married. They could have worked things out or got a divorce. They got a divorce and with only one person claiming fault and we can't really blame the other without proof. It's all speculation at this point. We don't know what happened and probably never will. Yet one gets to say whatever they want on the matter but the other has to keep his mouth shut. So how do we hear his side? Well, MAYBE he posted that picture to tell us or MAYBE he didn't. We don't know. So why trash the guy? That's all I'm saying anyway lol.

[relmy]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

It's all speculation at this point. We don't know what happened and probably never will. Yet one gets to say whatever they want on the matter but the other has to keep his mouth shut. So how do we hear his side? Well, MAYBE he posted that picture to tell us or MAYBE he didn't. We don't know. So why trash the guy? That's all I'm saying anyway lol.

I think the bolded part may be what's... bugged me the whole time I guess. Why I don't like the Return Road photo, why I don't like people bashing Mannie for the meme. Just... let him have an outlet.

I don't get it, if people don't like it, don't keep him as a friend. I don't like the Return Road PV, so I don't watch it.

Ayu has a reputation to protect of course, and it's not right for Mannie to profit from it, but really, Ayu kinda is, indirectly.

It's just all too complicated really. It's worse because... I feel like I need to stand up for Mannie, because he's done nothing to deserve all the crap, and some fans may see that as disloyal to Ayu, but whatever at the end of the day. I still love Ayu, and always will, I just don't think my love for Ayu means I need to hate somebody else.

[kinix]

1 point I would like to ask is, how sure are we that the usage of mannie's photo in RR was ayu's idea. ayu might have many say in a lot of things she does. but so far regarding PVs, I think she usually only give out ideas to improve the PV but not tge idea/concept of the PV's plot. there's a specific guy for this job. ayu does keep thinking ideas for every single PVs she made.

[jewelbox]

^ even if it wasn't her idea, she still approved it

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by kinix

1 point I would like to ask is, how sure are we that the usage of mannie's photo in RR was ayu's idea. ayu might have many say in a lot of things she does. but so far regarding PVs, I think she usually only give out ideas to improve the PV but not tge idea/concept of the PV's plot. there's a specific guy for this job. ayu does keep thinking ideas for every single PVs she made.

I doubt a PV so strongly linked to her personal life was a director's idea... And even if it was, SHE is the boss... the final decision is hers...

[kinix]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I doubt a PV so strongly linked to her personal life was a director's idea... And even if it was, SHE is the boss... the final decision is hers...

Misa-chan's blog Quote:
ayu69maki: Isn’t ayu the one who determines the setlist?
ayu_19980408: The setlists I create don’t always get the OK. There are definitely times when it gets rejected.

So I don't think ayu gets to decide every single thing every time. She doesnt have the say in all of her things.
And wasn't PVs suppose to bring out the story of the song? And ayu's song were most often reflection of her current feelings. So yeah... the PV is linked to her personal life. Past sensitive examples : Dearest, alterna....

Side note, If ayu really have the power to reject a storyline given to her for her PV, I'm pretty sure she would have rejected Sparkle PV
She only have suggestions to improve on the PV. Like GREEN for example. She decided to retake on some parts of the PV for she wanted to change her appearance.

[isthisLOL?]

Why would she have rejected Sparkle PV? It's one of the best she has ever done. I love her parody PVs. Startin, Sparkle...

[koumori]

Originally Posted by kinix

So I don't think ayu gets to decide every single thing every time. She doesnt have the say in all of her things.

Side note, If ayu really have the power to reject a storyline given to her for her PV, I'm pretty sure she would have rejected Sparkle PV

You think the same Ayu who made the decision to cancel a whole tour - plans, choreography, tour goods etc - to replace it with something 100% different almost straightaway doesn't have the power to change a PV? ********. She's the Avex Queen, she does what she likes for the most part.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by kinix

Misa-chan's blog Quote:
ayu69maki: Isn’t ayu the one who determines the setlist?
ayu_19980408: The setlists I create don’t always get the OK. There are definitely times when it gets rejected.

So I don't think ayu gets to decide every single thing every time. She doesnt have the say in all of her things.
And wasn't PVs suppose to bring out the story of the song? And ayu's song were most often reflection of her current feelings. So yeah... the PV is linked to her personal life. Past sensitive examples : Dearest, alterna....

Side note, If ayu really have the power to reject a storyline given to her for her PV, I'm pretty sure she would have rejected Sparkle PV
She only have suggestions to improve on the PV. Like GREEN for example. She decided to retake on some parts of the PV for she wanted to change her appearance.

Even if Avex can say "no" to her sometimes, I'm pretty sure she never does anything she is not OK with... And depending on what Avex decides, they are counter attacked as soon as she can.

If she was the label puppet u r stating, she would still compete for prizes, she would had performed last at 2011 a-nation and alterna video was never released to begin with (taking only stuff that Avex was against her doing).

No mainstream singer on the world have 100% freedom, not even Madonna who is known for being in charge of her own career... Having a great amount of control over their own career doesn't really mean they don't have some projects turned down. They can either stand by what they want and convince the label or give up... as it happens on any business relationship on any area.

But I really doubt she would record a PV exploring her personal life and drama without being Ok with it, as she already stated she wanna be seen as a human being by her label, not as a product. I don't think u get how invasive and offensive it would be Avex forcing a PV about her divorce without her being ok with all that.

About Sparkle PV... that's everyday Ayu sarcasm... Some people may dislike it, but it has "ayu" wrote all over it.

[kinix]

Originally Posted by Koumori

You think the same Ayu who made the decision to cancel a whole tour - plans, choreography, tour goods etc - to replace it with something 100% different almost straightaway doesn't have the power to change a PV? ********. She's the Avex Queen, she does what she likes for the most part.

I don't think this is purely ayu's idea. If avex is so insensitive to the 311 period and still continue on HLS then they'll confirm flame by the public. It's pretty obvious HLS is a no go after the earthquake... it's not ayu's power.

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

Why would she have rejected Sparkle PV? It's one of the best she has ever done. I love her parody PVs. Startin, Sparkle...

=.= it's 1 of the PVs I'll never show my friends =P even though it's a nice song, the dumb acting of ayu in latex wear is just unacceptable for me =.=.... It's the action of what ayu is doing that kinda disgust me...

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

Even if Avex can say "no" to her sometimes, I'm pretty sure she never does anything she is not OK with... And depending on what Avex decides, they are counter attacked as soon as she can.

If she was the label puppet u r stating, she would still compete for prizes, she would had performed last at 2011 a-nation and alterna video was never released to begin with (taking only stuff that Avex was against her doing).

No mainstream singer on the world have 100% freedom, not even Madonna who is known for being in charge of her own career... Having a great amount of control over their own career doesn't really mean they don't have some projects turned down. They can either stand by what they want and convince the label or give up... as it happens on any business relationship on any area.

But I really doubt she would record a PV exploring her personal life and drama without being Ok with it, as she already stated she wanna be seen as a human being by her label, not as a product. I don't think u get how invasive and offensive it would be Avex forcing a PV about her divorce without her being ok with all that.

About Sparkle PV... that's everyday Ayu sarcasm... Some people may dislike it, but it has "ayu" wrote all over it.

Hmm.. I really don't know which side you're standing on cos your parts are kinda contradicting =.=?

[Andrenekoi]

How come all the other Avex artists toured the same? If Avex idea was to show the label's feelings towards the disaster, I bet Ayu wouldn't be the only artist changing her schedule (other than tour dates and releases dates) in order to better fit the moment...

[isthisLOL?]

Wait, so because you personally think it's "disgusting" Ayumi doesn't like it? I rarely see actual successful artists making fun of the pop music business so well, and it's 100% typical Ayumi, just more sexual than what we were used to then. But that's only a problem if you make it one or were brought up to think of sexuality as shameful I think.
That said I can see your problem with it, I just don't understand what's so unacceptable or shameful about it. She is making fun of both the overly cute and overly sexual side of the pop business by using porn, of course it'll be overly sexual.

[kinix]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

How come all the other Avex artists toured the same? If Avex idea was to show the label's feelings towards the disaster, I bet Ayu wouldn't be the only artist changing her schedule (other than tour dates and releases dates) in order to better fit the moment...

As I said earlier, I don't think that this is purely ayu's idea. You gotta have the record company to support your idea. As for the others, I'd no idea. Maybe they didnt suggest it? Wasnt really focus on Jpop except ayu so I don't know who's tour were affected by the 311 date.

Ayu did the same thing in 2001 with I am... she changed the concept of I am... before the release on 2002. Do you think that an artist like her @ that time had the power to just change the whole album concept without the support of the company?
If she have that power, We wouldnt see an A BEST that early. However there is certain amount of space that avex actually gave ayu to vent her anger towards the company. Which resulted in A BEST older tracks with new vocals. I would use this reason for the a-nation 2011 event... Anway, this is just my view. I don't think anyone would have known the real truth behind all these conspiracy except ayu n avex.

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

Wait, so because you personally think it's "disgusting" Ayumi doesn't like it? I rarely see actual successful artists making fun of the pop music business so well, and it's 100% typical Ayumi, just more sexual than what we were used to then. But that's only a problem if you make it one or were brought up to think of sexuality as shameful I think.
That said I can see your problem with it, I just don't understand what's so unacceptable or shameful about it. She is making fun of both the overly cute and overly sexual side of the pop business by using porn, of course it'll be overly sexual.

As I've said it's the action of what ayu is doing. It just seems unnatural. At times, It just seems like ayu doesnt know what else to do (What pose to make in the small constrain place etc...) And her expression... just looked too fake =.= Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like ayu being sexy and all. But it just feels like she cant get the correct emotion going on with her face and action n made the whole thing weird o.O"

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by kinix

Ayu did the same thing in 2001 with I am... she changed the concept of I am... before the release on 2002. Do you think that an artist like her @ that time had the power to just change the whole album concept without the support of the company?
If she have that power, We wouldnt see an A BEST that early. However there is certain amount of space that avex actually gave ayu to vent her anger towards the company. Which resulted in A BEST older tracks with new vocals. I would use this reason for the a-nation 2011 event... Anway, this is just my view. I don't think anyone would have known the real truth behind all these conspiracy except ayu n avex.

It was A Best success that gave this power to Ayu to begin with. They had the risk of losing the almight (LOL) queen of jpop and pretty much needed to give her more freedom than most artists have. I doubt she could do something like that before A Best rose her fame to a whole new level.

Still, we are not talking about release date, but about creative content and freedom to chose the theme of a video or the lyrics to a song, something Max gave her since LOVEppears...

Not having 100% freedom (as nobody has anyway) doesn't mean Avex could have forced her doing stuff she didn't want to creative wise, stuff that offended her, if she wasn't ok with it. On this case, openly exploring her personal life to make money. Considering her past story with Avex, I doubt she would accept doing that unless she was 100% ok with that or if it was her idea.

[SummonerXI]

Originally Posted by kinix

Misa-chan's blog Quote:
ayu69maki: Isn’t ayu the one who determines the setlist?
ayu_19980408: The setlists I create don’t always get the OK. There are definitely times when it gets rejected.

I don't think that ultimately means there's someone above her who yays or nays her suggestions. I think it's more of her collaborating back and forth with her reps and creative directors to decide on something everyone seems happy with.

Originally Posted by kinix

=.= it's 1 of the PVs I'll never show my friends =P even though it's a nice song, the dumb acting of ayu in latex wear is just unacceptable for me =.=.... It's the action of what ayu is doing that kinda disgust me...

Errr... Just because YOU don't approve of it, doesn't mean Ayu was forced to do it. Also, there's really nothing wrong with the PV when you consider the song itself, written by Ayu, is about sex, and even then, there's nothing wrong with sexy lyrics either. I'm sorry you feel so embarrassed about sexuality that you have to hide that PV from your friends