Utada Hikaru Profile
Name: Utada Hikaru (Hikaru Utada)
Japanese name: 宇多田光, 宇多田ヒカル
Nickname: Hikki ヒッキー, Cubic U
Birth date: January 19th, 1983
Birthplace: New York, USA
Height: 158cm
Blood type: A
Husband: Kazuaki Kiriya
Language spoken: English and Japanese
Profession: Singer and song writer
Dreams: Become a writer, open a small bookshop and become a clerk there, work part-time at a cafe
Hobbies: Literature, spicy stuffs, photography and web-surfing
Specialties: Touch typing, Tetris, biting the bullet, reading minds, moving just the smallest toe of my left foot, full leg splits and other instances of flexibility
Favourite places: Mexico, Machu Picchu and the Sahara Desert
Favourite artists: Nine Inch Nails, Mozart, Jimi Hendrix, Bela Bartok, Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Edith Piaf, Cocteau Twins, Jeff Buckley, Chick Corea, The Blue Nile, Freddie Mercury, Bjork, Yutaka Ozaki, and Hibari Misora
Favourite movies: Amadeus, Crash, Munich, Brazil, Tasogare Seibei, Lost Highway, The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather Part II, The Jerk, Orlando, and works by Hayao Miyazaki
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Utada Hikaru Biography
Utada Hikaru was born in a family with both Japanese parents involved in music industry; Utada’s music talent was nurtured in an early age and she showed her potential by recording her first English album “Precious” at the age of 12.
Precious was not actually released in US, but later discovered by a Japanese producer and released it in Japan in 1998. The album received some good reviews and Utada Hikaru, at age of 15 back then, was gradually gaining fame.
Seeing Utada’s potential, the Japan recording company (Toshiba-EMI) convinced her to release her Japanese album instead.
Utada Hikaru released her first Japanese single “Automatic” in 1999 and was an instant hit. Shortly after that Utada released her first Japanese album, “First Love” that sold over 10 million copies across Asia. “First Love” is still until today the best selling music album in Japan.
In 2000 Utada went back to US for further study in Columbia University; her university life was interrupted when she released her 2nd and 3rd Japanese album “Distance” (2001) and “Deep River” (2002) which both sold for multi million copies.
Utada Hikaru didn’t finish her university studies due to health issues and a busy successful singing career.
Utada Hikaru then surprised many when she married Kazuaki Kiriya, a photographer she worked with numerous times, shortly after the released of Deep River in 2002.
In 2004 Utada Hikaru released her ambitious English album “Exodus” that was not very successful in US market. Her single “Devil Inside” however managed to become a disco club hit and claimed #1 spot at Billboard Hot Dance/Club Airplay charts.
Utada Hikaru has just released her 4th Japanese album, “Ultra Blue” in June 2006.
Utada’s musical success is often compared to another Japanese pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki, especially in the early 2000s. Their rivalry is not as fierce now with the rising of other Japanese pop stars.
Why I like Utada Hikaru
I like Utada Hikaru’s music. I first listened to Automatic and thought that it’s a good song; then with First Love, which is still one of my favorite Japanese songs.
I admire Hikki’s talent as a complete artist in singing, songwriting and album producing… which is not often in Asian music industry.
Utada Hikaru Websites and Contacts
February 5th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
[...] Japanese pop star Utada Hikaru is also a great fan of Emily Strange, she love it so much that she decided to translate the stories into Japanese by herself.. now that’s fanatic lol. [...]
February 5th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
i’m just fallin in love. maybe you all can say love at fist sight.
she is my ‘fist love’.i’m live in indonesia. here in my country,it’s really difficult to find japanese artist cd. but utada hikaru is exceptional.every music store sell her album.i miss her so much. coz here is far away from japan.
when she comes out with new album?
February 5th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Hi Denny, Utada is indeed one of the most popular Japanese artist in Asia.
Her newest album is expected to came out in 2006, no details available yet.
March 27th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Utada is like the 1st
asian girl that i heard….
that can speak LIKE
perfect english!
LOVE simple and clean…….
SHez HOT!!!!
April 3rd, 2006 at 2:07 am
She’s my favorite japanese singer ever. Im listening to her songz right now.!!!
April 5th, 2006 at 10:59 am
[...] Japanese diva Utada Hikaru announced a nationwide concert tour in Japan, namely “Utada United 2006″. [...]
April 11th, 2006 at 3:53 am
Oh My Gosh, I didn’t No that she had a biography!!! I love her songs expecally Simple and Clean!!!!!
April 11th, 2006 at 7:16 am
GOD I LOVE YOUR SONG “FIRST LOVE” I LIKE IT ALOT MORE THAN MY BROTHER WHO’S A FAN OF YOU TOO…
April 11th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Utada Hikaru is a great singer, can’t wait for her new album releasing in June, surely will be a great one!
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:15 pm
[...] US-borned Japanese pop-queen Utada Hikaru released her first Japanese album, “First Love” in 1999. The album still holds the best selling record in Japan, and the hit song First Love is always on of my favorite song, as for many other as well.. [...]
May 8th, 2006 at 5:06 am
Utada hikaru is the great japanese singer i cant wait to hear her new album!!
May 23rd, 2006 at 3:15 pm
i really love hikki songs!she’s my ultimate jpop idol ever!
May 26th, 2006 at 11:18 am
Utada Hikaru is the best asian gal in the whole UNIVERSE!!!
I just love her music, talents, her voice, and herself!!
July 15th, 2006 at 5:58 am
if im not mistaken..u sing thish one song..:simple and clean….if u r the artist..dang gurl u roxs..take mah stage..
July 15th, 2006 at 11:35 am
u r right nikki.. simple and clean is her song. And Utada’s nickname is hikki, quite close to yours lol.
July 25th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
Hikki! Aishiteru! I\’m you\’re #1 fan in Brunei! I can\’t wait to hear your Ultra Blue album, cuz in Brunei I have to wait for months for your album arrival. :\’( so sad! But I\’ll wait & see! And please Hikki.. Don\’t stop your career when you\’re 28 yrs old.. Continue till you can\’t continue anymore! I know you dream to be a scientist?(heard it from someone mystery) Well, we all love you.. I know it\’s hard to sing and take care of your family but don\’t ever dissapoint us cuz we love you!! Gambatte!!
July 26th, 2006 at 9:03 am
hi hikaru im azumi your no:1 fan on philipines i like your song all you know that reaply me after you read this ok!
August 3rd, 2006 at 11:36 am
Hikaru Utada thankyou for all of your good music and your wonderful and very beautiful voice that makes me always enjoy listening to you. I love the fact the you brought the whole R&B feel to Japan and I’m sooooOOOOOooooo grateful for having your music in my life.
REPRESENT NY!!! (I’m from the Bronx, she’s from Manhatten…REPRESENT!!)
LOL!!! Okay I”m done. ^_^
August 3rd, 2006 at 4:02 pm
lol tokyosista.. so New Yorkers united huh..
August 4th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Last night I was ill! Dude! Itz painful! But then I dreamt of Hikki, she took good care of me like I was her sister.. *sigh* I wish it was real.. But hey! I saw her video “You Make Me Want To Be A Man”! Shez HOT! Her eyes are red! And who is that man? Hez COOL! I want to see it again!!
August 4th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
lol u dream of hikki? That’s cute.. I have never dreamt of any superstars before, in fact I can’t remember most of my dreams..
August 15th, 2006 at 3:22 am
I loooovvvveee first love and I thought the guy in the music video for the song was totally hott!!!! Utada Roxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 15th, 2006 at 3:28 am
Haha Mary iis my bff she got hikki’s name wrong… I think she has a fever hikki is her all time fqave singer and mine too lol but she had posters of her all over her room haha
and can you get her cd’s a borders i always have to borrow marys and she won’t tell me where she got them :(
August 15th, 2006 at 4:01 am
Can I link you to my site oh and hikki sorry about the name thingie lol I am not myself today
August 15th, 2006 at 5:04 am
http://www.freewebs.com/hikkirox/
August 15th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Mary.. you must be talking about the OST version for “First Love,” yupe the guy is cute. If you like this site, feel free to link. Also what’s wrong with the name? Utada is the right name, so are Hikki..
Nanashi, you can always buy her stuffs online.
August 16th, 2006 at 2:42 am
thank you!!!!! a Nanashi I did tell you where to buy it!!!
August 16th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
[...] Ayumi’s rivalry with another pop diva Utada Hikaru was often the talk of the town, with both singers having similar success in terms of record sales and musical awards. [...]
August 23rd, 2006 at 2:07 am
[...] Japan popular singer Utada Hikaru is not only great in singing, she is brilliant in playing Tetris too. Hikki started playing Tetris since she was 5. [...]
August 23rd, 2006 at 8:14 pm
4 years following Hikki’s career, well maybe now she doesn’t really shine here as bright as the First Love era and else, but I know you still have many loyal and new fans here, Hikki! Positively new fans from your kick-ass KH2 OST Passion and Sanctuary, and they all want to know if…..she gonna sing again for the next Kingdom Hearts series? Is there any rumour yet?
Hikaru is a tetris goddess!!! (with a little frightening tetris addiction), as I read at http://hikki.blogspot.com at least. Passed level 200 on June and Got 99999999 score and she played for that score around…16 hours?? OMG….
…but now she’s rather addicted to her beloved teddy Kuma Chang? ^_^;
Well…what a lucky bear…
November 9th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
ang ganda ng ”first love” kc maganda rin si utada hikaru sana makapunta cya dto sa pinas kc ”youare always gonna be my iove itsuka dare kato mata koi ni ochitemo i remember to love you taught me how” iloveu u t a d a h i k a r u`
November 15th, 2006 at 5:14 am
she’s pretty…..i like her song’s too………
November 21st, 2006 at 10:15 pm
i have been watch the music that you were sing in th DVD.
the title is ”first love” and i like that song. it makes fell good!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2006 at 12:55 am
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December 6th, 2006 at 6:57 am
she japanese right????
December 6th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Didn’t u read it? Of course she’s japanese! She’s top singer in Japan man!
I love u Hikaru! You ROCK!
December 18th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
tnx all support tfc subscriber ^_^
December 30th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
i like her voice!!! and my favorite song ‘first love’
January 14th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
gershmel_cute@hotmail.com ……………add me up…..
cute guyzzz…..
first love utada hikaru is the best
January 25th, 2007 at 12:34 am
[...] A great love song will at least require the same passion, and perhaps works better than novels; one of my favorite… “First Love” (by Utada Hikaru)… [...]
January 26th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
hi!
hikki is sooooo….amazing!! super..shes my inspiration in life and the only person to show me the way on how to release tension and pain. listening to her songs is a pain releaver it keeps the doctor away for a while..hehe!!
Luv u hikki!!….u rockz!..=)….
sEaN
March 4th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
[...] pop star Utada Hikaru (宇多田光) has announced her divorce with (ex)husband Kazuaki Kiriya (纪里谷) in a joint [...]
March 8th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
really really love this singer so much!! hikki ur always the Best!
March 18th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Hikki is amazing. Enough said. =)
March 29th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Looks pretty sweeet in that pic. Nice belly shot!
March 29th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
It’s not easy to find a good pic on Hikki. Her voice is pretty amazing, but I think she looks just ok. Btw, this belly shots should be from a few years ago, she’s gaining some weight for the past couple of years lol.
March 31st, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Really? She couldn’t be that bad, cute little tummy on a little girl like that. lol.
Why has she gained weight? Is she not performing much any more? Having kids or what?
March 31st, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I often forget that she’s just ~24, she has been around for almost a decade lol.
I can’t tell the exact reason for her weight gaining; her medication could be one of the reasons… I believe she have some hormones problem, and those medication tends to make a person look chubby.
Besides, Hikki is always known for her talent… her appearance is not too much a matter for her fans, and perhaps she doesn’t care that much as well.
May 11th, 2007 at 8:38 am
Hikki is the best! i love her music! especially the Flavor of Life
May 11th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
ohhh she so cool and have a nice voice. Yes I also like her so much!! I have heard “Simple and Clean” 2Months ago and it is so cool! Yes and “First Love” is soo nice.. oh I forgot, all of her songs are cute and cool! hihi
May 19th, 2007 at 9:36 am
i though she was slutting like other cele but guess not unlike britney spit and them…….she cool pretty good
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 am
Konnichiwa! Watashiwa Tam dess! Ogenki Desska?
Niho-jin-ja-arimasen!
June 7th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
she’s just super talented. she’s the kind of artist that doesn’t try to satisfy what listeners are wanting to hear. she creates her own music and keeps her style. i like that
June 24th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
BESIDES Utada, what other POPULAR Japanese actress and or idol/singer, speaks English fluently?
June 26th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Jeff… I can’t recall other Japanese artist that speak fluent English at the moment. They must be a few more but certainly not many.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:29 am
She is the best Singer I hope she will have a tour here in Philippines !
Keep it on Utada Hikaru ….. sayounara to all have a nice day!
July 6th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I like Utada song.
July 17th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
i like her the she perform her music i am a pilipinjin kedo utada hikaru is my number one
August 7th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I LOVE UTADA HIKARU. I ALSO LOVE HER SONG SHE WROTE SANCTUARY FOR KINGDOM HEARTS BECAUSE THE SONG IZ BEAUTIFUL AND SO IZ DA GAME. I REAALY HOPE I GET 2 MEET HER
August 12th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I really like her song the “First love”….
August 27th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
She’s so ugly,like old lady and fat
August 29th, 2007 at 10:37 am
lol i like her songs shes a really good singer
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
She is not ugly .
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:37 pm
john, are u blind? how can u say that she is so ugly, like old lady and fat? i mean have u look yourself in a mirror? she is not ugly! and she is a goddamn good singer!
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Agree ,she is not ugly but not as pretty as Hyori.
September 15th, 2007 at 10:41 am
john, i bet you were looking at a picture of yourself when you thought that. She’s lovely, youthful, and thin and probably can sing better than you.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
I like her song “first love”!!!
September 25th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
yeah, she’s not, John… i like the way Utada sing…she has something that other don’t have…First love the best….
September 27th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
hikaru just like light, it shining everywhere.. once you see her, you will give her your heart~ ^^ right?
October 9th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
what happened to her belly button oO
i heard once that model in a magazine didnt have a belly button cuz they airbrushed her… and forgot to add it on -_________-
wawo…
October 10th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
she’s a good artist…very down to earth…she may not pretty, but she’s getting cuter nowadays
October 12th, 2007 at 3:52 am
who says that she’s an old lady?// huh!!! hehe.,, I like Utada Hikaru.,. I like the way she sings her compositions.,. She’s different from other jpop singers,.. and she’s not ugly,.. I really really like her,,., I can easily know if she is the singer of a song that i have just heard because of her extraordinary voice and the way she emphasizes the song and the feelings,.,., The way she vocalizes the language is different from others.,,And her English compositions, it’s different from others,., and also the way she speaks English,. She’s like a professional English grammarian.,,. heheheh,.,. I hope that she will launch a concert here in the Philippines,., I will be the first to buy a ticket! hehehe.,,. jokes!
October 12th, 2007 at 3:53 am
mark from Philippines!!!!
October 12th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
if someone say Hikki is ugly, please visit these web photo:
Pic 1 l Pic 2 l Pic 3
October 14th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
how can u say im ugly?
then if you believe im ugly why did you search my name and browse this site just to see me?
Thx for all who supports me..
October 14th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
gosh! is that utada?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?
October 14th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
i really like her!!! SHE’S NOT UGLY!!!
October 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
im not utada…
just clearing tht she is not ugly, im her no.1 fan
October 14th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
clearing for john statement or who ever saying that utada hikaru is ugly!!!,…go to (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv_ugWser2g),,and watch her mtv of first!,..remember john just see her, without a makeup!!,.and i’ll bet you, how pretty and sexy is she in this mtv,,..like you said that utada hikaru is ugly,.old woman and fat! and naga emes you are wrong!!,,..she is not a light but actually her name “hikaru” means “light or ray” ok!!!,..hehehe,..actually utada hikaru explain the meaning of her name in her concert!!!i’m just kiding naga emas that youre wrong, coz all people here is so serious!!!,..just a commercial hehehe,…i wish for a concert of utada hikaru,.here in philippines!,…if anyone like to have utada hikaru song’s i have it but not all!!!,..like first love, final distance,passion and etc.,.. goodbye 4 now 4 all of u!,..just email me, if only u want her song’s,and note sorry if anyone message me, and i didnt reply as quickly, coz sometimes i’m bc ok! kyo_va888@yahoo.com arigato gozaimas!
October 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
well, i like mika nakashima…hehe.. but i like utada too..and i agree with you guys.. shes beautiful and not ugly.. kerei to koe sugoi.. mina shiteru, utada ga koe ga ii.. utada itsumo ganbatte ne.. nihonjin hito suki kara
October 17th, 2007 at 7:57 am
i really love her song “first love” and i think she is a very talented and unique person
November 16th, 2007 at 5:15 am
Utada’s one of the koolest peoples. :3
She has a very unique style.
I think she has more options too since she’s fluent in English as well as Japanese.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Oh yeah, and that’s a really good picture of her too. ^_^
November 19th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Yeah, I luv Utada. She is probably one of the few natural, non-plastic Asian singers left! Great pic of her!
November 22nd, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Naw dem a lotz naturalz Asian singerz in dem placez.No plasticz.Fo Sho.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:26 am
Utada has many good songs.She’s good !!!!!!!!!
November 30th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I love her song First Love.
December 1st, 2007 at 10:37 am
uhmmm… utada is my idol i think utada is the most beautiful among ayumi and amuro namie… of all of her songs travelling is my favorite…
December 4th, 2007 at 9:21 am
i like utada. ^^ she rocks
December 16th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Utada hikaru best of the best,I like Her
December 16th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Utada hikaru my best singer.I like U
December 16th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
WeLL, Utada Hikaru iS suCh a gReAt siNgeR..Ü
i rEaLLy LovE heR vOiCe..
i LovE heR sOnG..+FiRst LovE..Ü
December 26th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Wow! i love all her song!!!
December 28th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Hey! Her birth name is not Iwashita Hikaru because Iwashita WAS her last name when she married Kazuaki Kiriya who’s real name is Iwashita Kazuhiro but
they divorced on March 2, 2007. So it’s back to Utada Hikaru.
December 28th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
ic… thanks for the note. Correction made.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:17 am
omfg….i love the song call flavor of love
February 5th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
aku suka sekali lagu yang firstlove karena mengingatkan someone
February 5th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
your ist diva in japanse i just like youre song
i’d love your song
February 5th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
LOVE UTADA HIKARU
^_^
February 27th, 2008 at 9:40 am
i heard she divorced her husband along time now
February 27th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
petey… they already split for a few months.
March 10th, 2008 at 5:36 am
she’s awesome, her songs are soooo good, heh.
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
lol just making sure i was right cuz i dont like wikipeda and there is nowhere else to find the facts
April 12th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
is she as gud as she looks!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 am
utada rocks her songs r soooooo good and the song from kingdom hearts (both of them) r excelllent hope she takes care!
May 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
love your songs
June 13th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I like her new hair now =)
June 13th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
have anice day thankyou 4d song……………………………………………………………………………………..
July 1st, 2008 at 6:42 am
best singer this century!!!
August 1st, 2008 at 9:12 am
please don’t give me the shit on how she’s a good singer. we all know boa kwon owns her in that area and owns her to the bloody hell. boa pwns her and so does ayumi, both of them are terrible singers and they own her. she can’t sing, and isn’t better than me at singing either. but the thing is… thinking about it, she has gained just sooo much weight lately i mean look at her she’s just soo fat!!!!!! she’s a fat ass now, soo fat and ugly. and she is just so chubby and overweight now, what happened? still on meds? i think she deserves it though for being such a bitch. she is a slut, ugly and bitchy, and is a hoe too. look at her face she piles on the makeup like she did with the kilos. ew. utada hikaru disgusts me. boa is the best.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:57 am
i admire utada hikaru a loT…!!
August 21st, 2008 at 8:05 am
What an inflammatory thing to say. Such a nasty mean-spirited person. Why so immature and shallow? How can so much hatred come from one person? Very puzzling but then again you probably hate yourself just as much. You’re either fat or fugly or both.
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I like your song..
September 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Huh?! Utada was fat?! Bitch?! Slut !! Why she bcames an artist ?! Bec0z she talents !! Not bec0z she pertty lh !! Wat a bullshit cmment u gave there?! Such an idiot cmment lh !! I dnt knw if the sender also idiot ? Who know ??
September 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
i love the song “flavor of life” by utada…
though i cant understand the whole meaning of the song…
i really feel it…. something “soulful”….
i love utada and her music…
added by her beauty and music… i know she’s definitely a talented person…
kip it up!!!
September 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Konnichiwa…! Ur a very good singer… I rily like d song…the flavor of life…arigato oto kimi ni…. sore wa utsukushi….!
September 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Yup, Utada Hikaru’s voice is really very good!! Like her song ‘Flavour of Life’ too!! Kampaten ne! :)
September 25th, 2008 at 5:47 am
omg “utadaisfat” ?!!
stop being such a hater.
everyone has their own opinions utada’s awesome [:
you loser o:<