Kago Ai

Kago Ai (加護亜依) is a Japanese pop singer, actress, author and former Guinness Book of World Records holder for the hula hoop. She was a fourth generation member of Morning Musume as well as a founding member of its subgroup Minimoni. In 2004, she graduated from both the groups and formed W with Tsuji Nozomi.
After a series of scandals, she was dropped by her agency in 2006. She made her solo debut in June 2009. In 2014, she formed a group called Girls Beat!!, from which she graduated on February 29, 2016.
==History==
===Early Life===
Kago Ai was born in Yamatotokada, Nara, Japan on February 7, 1988. Her mother's maiden name is Kago Aki. Her biological father's name is unknown.
===2000===
On April 15, at age 12, Kago participated in the Morning Musume 3rd Tsuika Audition and successfully passed. She joined Morning Musume as a fourth generation member alongside Yoshizawa Hitomi, Ishikawa Rika and Tsuji Nozomi. Kago debuted on Morning Musume's ninth single, "Happy Summer Wedding," with her album debut on the group's fourth album, 4th Ikimasshoi!.
Kago and Tsuji met during the auditions and when they both found themselves in Morning Musume they became fast friends. The two were the youngest members in Morning Musume at the time and as such, took it upon themselves to become the hyperactive troublemakers of the group. Although at first, both girls were shy about being on camera, they soon warmed up to being recorded. Kago and Tsuji were accepted by Morning Musume's fans quickly and they ended up being dubbed "The Twins" due to their similar looks and personalities. The girls each developed a strong fan base, although fans found it difficult to think of one without the other. As well as being known as "The Twins," Kago and Tsuji were also known as "Two Top" as on the television special, Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!, they were both found to be the least knowledgeable when given surprise pop quizzes on several grade school problems, Tsuji being the least knowledgeable and Kago being the second least knowledgeable.
In June, Kago, alongside fellow 4th generation member Ishikawa Rika, joined the already-established subgroup Tanpopo. They teamed up with remaining members Iida Kaori and Yaguchi Mari forming the group's 2nd generation.
In late 2000, Yaguchi Mari had an idea for a subgroup whose members were 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in height or shorter. Yaguchi and Morning Musume's songwriter and producer, Tsunku, selected Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi to join the new subgroup, and the trio began performing in concerts as Minimoni. American-born Mika Todd of Coconuts Musume was later added into the group, and Tsunku made them official. Their debut single, "Minimoni Jankenpyon!," released in January 2001, became a #1 hit.
===2001===
In July 2001, Kago participated in Hello! Project's 2001 shuffle unit event as a member of 3-nin Matsuri, competing against the other two units, 7-nin Matsuri and 10-nin Matsuri, for sales. 3-nin Matsuri's single, Kiss! Summer Party, was released on July 4, 2001, and the song outsold the other unit's singles by a wide margin.
===2002===
In 2002, Kago participated in a drama alongside her fellow Morning Musume members titled "Angel Hearts." She also released a duo photo book with Tsuji Nozomi.
Kago continued as a member of Morning Musume during 2002, as well as in Minimoni. However, Tanpopo was reformed in July 2002 and Kago, Iida Kaori and Yaguchi Mari "graduated" from the group.
Kago participated in Hello! Project's 2002 shuffle unit event as a member of Happy 7.
===2003===
In a surprise move by Tsunku, Morning Musume was split into two halves - Morning Musume Otome Gumi and Morning Musume Sakura Gumi - so that the large group could perform in smaller towns that could not hold the larger numbers the full ensemble needed. Kago was placed into Sakura Gumi and released two singles with the group before the groups merged together again in Spring 2004.
Kago participated in Hello! Project's 2003 shuffle unit event as a member of SALT5.
===2004===
In May, under the arrangement of the Up-Front Works Agency, Kago and Tsuji formed a new pop duo, W, which eventually released a total of two albums and six singles.
In July, Kago and Tsuji's final single with Morning Musume, "Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari," was released.
In August, Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi graduated from Morning Musume together, whereas Minimoni went on an indefinite hiatus.
In December, Kago, along with all 46 contemporary Hello! Project members, formed H.P. All Stars, to perform "ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL!".
===2006-2007: Scandal===
On February 9, 2006 it was confirmed that the magazine FRIDAY (the same one that prompted Yaguchi Mari's sudden departure from Morning Musume) would publish photos showing Kago smoking. The legal age for smoking in Japan at the time was 20, and Kago had just turned 18 two days prior to the incident. On February 10, Hello! Project issued a press statement saying that the singer had been suspended "indefinitely.""爆笑問題太田、加護喫煙を“暴露”してた！？ " (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2006-02-10.
According to an interview in the March 9, 2007 issue of Friday, Kago revealed that she had been serving tea, answering phones and doing assorted secretarial work at the Up-Front Works Agency since January 23, 2007, when her employers found it fit for her to return to Tokyo, after she spent most of 2006 in seclusion at her family's residence in Nara.
In the same interview, Kago claimed to have undergone several changes in regard to her outlook on life, to have become more responsible. Additionally she met up with other members of Hello! Project for the first time at Yokohama Arena, after a lengthy period of time, though the group apparently couldn't quite recognize her at first, given the fact she had lost some weight.
The agency said that they were working on her comeback, though the details were not made clear.
On March 26, 2007 following a newly publicized scandal involving Kago dating a 37-year-old man, as well as smoking again, it was announced by Up-Front Works that her contract had been cancelled.Kawaguchi Yuukichi. "加護亜依　一部報道記事について" in Japanese). Hello! Project Official Website. 2007-03-26.
===2007===
On May 5, the Tokyo Broadcasting System's newscast reported that Kago's mother was trying to sign her to a new talent agency in her hometown of Nara.
On August 25, an interview with Kago's mother in the magazine Josei Seven, revealed that after parting company with Hello! Project, Kago left Japan to reside in New York City.
Kago herself later revealed that she had actually not gone to New York, but rather to Los Angeles for three months because she felt like a criminal in Japan.
===2008===
On April 6, it was reported by Yahoo! News that Kago was returning to the entertainment industry. Also, in an interview by OhmyNews, Kago admitted that she had started smoking to feel more like an adult, without realizing the impact it would have on her peers and young fans. She stated that the smoking scandal made her feel like a criminal in Japan, so she left the country and lived in Los Angeles with her boyfriend for three months in 2007, where she met many new people who encouraged her (including Winona Ryder)"A person I will always like". Blog! Project. 2011-12-31. and was able to reflect on her situation and begin her new life. She also admitted to having considered suicide and inflicting injury upon herself by cutting her wrists with scissors. At the end of the interview, Kago states that even though she is now 20 years old and can legally smoke cigarettes, she no longer does or has any desire to do so."加護亜依、自殺未遂してた…ハサミで左手首切り " (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2008-04-07."元「モー娘」加護がタバコに走った「悲しい理由」" (in Japanese). J-Cast. 2008-04-07.
On April 24, Kago announced on her personal blog, "Biscuit Club", that she would appear in Hong Kong movie Kung Fu Chef with Sammo Hung.
===2009===
On January 26th, Kago made a guest appearance at the public rehearsal of "Shunpuuteikoasa Funtou Kouen in Le Theater Ginza". There she announced and performed a future single, "NO HESITATION".
Kago sang covers of "Lum no Love Song" and "Himitsu no Akko-chan" on the compilation album "Kirakira Majocco Cluv", released on February 10th.
Kago's first solo retail single, No hesitAtIon, was released on June 24th.
In October, it was officially announced that Kago would be a presenter on the SKYPerfecTV! Awards 2009 which would air on November 12.
On November 22, Kago participated in a promotional event for KDDI Mobile in Edgewater, New Jersey. It was later announced on December 6th that she was named the commercial spokesperson of the new branch."Ai Kago named KDDI campaign girl for U.S. service." Japan Today. 2009-12-06
On December 21, Kago opened up a Twitter account.http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/3302007
===2009: Second Scandal===
In January, FRIDAY reported a romance between Kago (20) and actor Mizumoto Hidejiro (33), but the rumor was denied by Kago's agency at the time. The matter surfaced again in March, as Mizumoto's ex-wife was seeking damages against both Mizumoto and Kago.
Mizumoto and his wife, Asato (25), had divorced on January 8, before the FRIDAY article had appeared. But Asato claims that the reason for their divorce is that Mizumoto and Kago were having an affair. As a result, she was seeking monetary damages, reportedly on the order of 10 million yen from Kago and 50 million yen from Mizumoto. She was also asking for some of Mizumoto's assets and child support for their three children. The judge had apparently already received Asato's claim, which meant that the matter would be taken to court if it was not settled."不倫で慰謝料請求された加護亜依、「悔しさでいっぱい」" (in Japanese). Oricon News. 2009-03-09.
Kago met Mizumoto through his mother, the psychic Shimo Yoshiko, whom Kago had often consulted before her comeback to show business. The pair reportedly became intimate after working together on the movie "Benten-dori no Hitobito," which was released in April.
Asato planned to submit Mizumoto's script for Benten-dori no Hitobito as evidence. On the back, Kago wrote a message to Mizumoto, which included lines like "I love you" and "If we get married, I want to have a boy.""加護亜依の「Ｓｅｘをして下さい」メモを証拠提出！？ " (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2009-03-07.
It was also said that Kago had been living with Mizumoto in his apartment in Kanagawa since the end of last year. Asato had obtained photographic evidence of Kago's underwear, clothes, cosmetics, and other items at the apartment."加護亜依の「Ｓｅｘをして下さい」メモを証拠提出！？ " (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2009-03-07.
===2010===
In March 24, Kago released her first album AI KAGO meets JAZZ ~The first door~. The album sold 527 copies.
On June 6, Kago participated in Japan Day in Central Park."Kago returns to New York!" Madara_Blog. 2010.06.08 The next night, she performed "How High the Moon" at Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland."Kago on Broadway!" Madara_Blog. 2010.06.09
On August 27, the DVD of Kago's Hong Kong horror film, The Haunting Lover, was released. The movie, which chronicles the fictional story of a poor young man, Leung Kwong, and his struggle to save up to marry the woman he loves, Hsiao Chen (Kago), was met with fairly positive reviews despite having a fairly genre-typical plot.
On September 11, Kago held a solo concert at Webster Hall in New York City, which brought about 200 fans. Because it was held on this day, Kago gave a memorial comment in both English and Japanese. Earlier, in June, she had made a comment on her blog that she would like to live in the US someday.
===2011===
On January 21, "AI KAGO meets JAZZ ~The first door Live~" DVD was announced and was set to be released March 23rd.
On February 2, Kago Ai started a blog on Diamond Blog. In this blog she put a gallery of pictures of herself.
Kago announced she would hold two charity events on June 5.
In June, Kago announced on her blog that she left R&A Promotions Co.,Ltd in November of 2010 due being unhappy with the direction of her work and was looking for a new agency.
On September 6, Kago's boyfriend Ando Haruhiko (44) was arrested on suspicions of attempted extortion, after allegedly threatening a man he owed 20 million yen to, saying that he had close affiliations with the Yamaguchi-gumi Yakuza boss. Ando denied the allegations and Kago herself was taken in for questioning."加護亜依彼氏、暴力団交際持ち出し…逮捕" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2011-09-07.
On September 11, Kago was hospitalized in stable condition after an apparent suicide attempt. In the afternoon, Kago hinted at suicide during a phone call with her agency officials, who immediately called emergency services to her apartment, where she was found on the floor in a haze, with cuts to her wrist. It was suspected that she also consumed large amounts of medication, and the police investigated this as a planned suicide."加護亜依　自殺未遂…関係者に「これから死ぬ」" (in Japanese). Sponichi. 2011-09-12.
On December 6, the president of Kago's agency told Sankei Sports that he planned to sue Kago for 100 million yen in damages. “She cancelled her last job at the last minute and it has been about a year since we’ve truly been able to contact her. Since we love her as a child, we patiently waited for her to come back, but even we have our limits. The lawsuit is for the damages she’s caused the company by canceling her activities and breaking off her contract, which was good until the end of March 2013. It’s likely she has caused more than 100 million yen in damages. I want to hear what she says firsthand before the end of the year in the courtroom.”"“仕事ドタキャン”加護亜依を提訴へ！事務所が１億５千万円請求" (in Japanese). Zakzak. 2011-12-06.
On December 21, Kago announced through her blog that she had registered her marriage and discovered that she was pregnant. She thanked fans for watching over her, but no further details were revealed."加護亜依が結婚＆妊娠をブログで発表「普通の穏やかで温かい家庭を…」" (in Japanese). Oricon Beauty. 2011-12-21.
===2013===
In May, Kago promoted dandelion-tea, and talked about its benefits on pregnancy.
On August 15, she announced on her blog that she transferred to a new agency.
On October 7, Kago announced on her blog she will be forming a 4 member girl group, the 1st member being herself. The auditions would be held to recruit two to four other girls within the 15-21 age range. The group would be crowd-sourced using lyrics, music, and costume ideas submitted by fans, as well as online voting.
===2014===
In June, it was announced that her girl group is called Girls Beat!!. They would be releasing their debut single "Sekai Seifuku" on July 22.
On October 24, it was reported that there was an arrest warrant out for Kago's husband on charges of loansharking. According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, her husband had lent an individual ¥2,500,000 at an illegally high interest rate in September 2013."加護亜依の夫に「出資法違反」容疑で逮捕状" (in Japanese), Tokyo Sports, 2014.10.24 As a result, Kago and Girls Beat!! halted all activities.
===2015===
In March, she was spotted without her wedding ring and reportedly met with a divorce attorney.
On April 3, Kago confirmed on her blog that she was filing for divorce from her husband. Once divorced, she planned on resuming activities."加護亜依、5カ月ぶりブログ更新で活動再開を宣言......夫とは離婚協議中." (in Japanese). Trend News (Yahoo). 2015-04-03. However, on April 18, it was reported that Kago "had no money" and the divorce was called off."「お金がないから」夫の元に戻っている加護亜依に“偽装離婚協議”疑惑が浮上中." (in Japanese). Excite News. 2015-04-18.
On June 11, it was reported that her husband had been arrested for domestic violence on June 9 stemming from an incident on May 12 in their Roppongi home where he allegedly shoved and kicked her, leaving her with injuries that took ten days to heal."夫がＤＶ逮捕　加護亜依「深夜の絶叫」." (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 2015-06-11. Kago agreed to drop all charges in exchange for a divorce, and the divorce was finalized later that month.
In August, her contract with her agency expired, and she subsequently left Girls Beat!!. However, in November she announced she would be resuming activities with Girls Beat!!."イベント参加！." Kago Ai Official Blog. Japanese. 2015-11-02
===2016===
On February 16, it was reported that Kago would be graduating from Girls Beat!! following the conclusion of the group's live event on February 29."加護亜依、3人組ユニット脱退を報告「前向きな卒業です!」" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2016-02-16.
On August 8, Kago announced she would continue her career as a singer and actress when she remarried."加護亜依、38歳一般男性と再婚 美容関係の会社経営者" (in Japanese). ORICON NEWS. 2016-08-08."ご報告。" (in Japanese). Kago Ai Official Blog. 2016-08-08.
===2017===
On August 29, Kago was announced as the special guest judge for the final round of entrepreneur Horie Takafumi's idol audition that would take place on Horie's Ameba livestream channel on September 10."告知★" (in Japanese). Kago Ai Official Blog. 2017-08-29.
===2018===
In February, Kago collaborated with the entertainment group Bokura no Zaidan for the track "XXX".
From March 7 to 12, Kago performed in the stage play Do You Know ~Desperado~ alongside Bokura no Zaidan."" (in Japanese). Shoya "GORI" Masumoto (Twitter). 2018-03-11.
On June 15, it was announced that Kago would make an appearance at the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER concerts held on August 25 and August 26 as part of a guest list featuring former Hello! Project members,"「Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER」ハロー！プロジェクトOGのゲスト出演が決定！" (in Japanese). Hello! Project. 2018-06-15. marking her first  related activity in over 11 years.
In September, Kago again collaborated with Bokura no Zaidan for their song "Hai & Rou ~Umarete kite Gomennasai~". The music video was uploaded to the band's official YouTube channel on September 3."灰&蝋〜生まれてきてごめんなさい〜feat. 加護亜依 / ボクらの罪団" (in Japanese). Bokura no Zaidan (via YouTube). 2018-09-03.
From September 25 to 30, Kago participated in the stage play Play ~kill time for xxx~ alongside Bokura no Zaidan.https://www.twitter.com/miki_akiba_road/status/1035879248639053825
From October 6 to 7, Kago starred in Watashi no Shiranai, Watashi no Jijou."加護亜依 主演、特別朗読講演『私の知らない、私の事情』" (in Japanese). Kago Ai Official Website.
===2019===
Kago once again made an appearance at the Hello! Project 20th Anniversary!! Hello! Project Hina Fes 2019 concert held on March 30th. For the first time in 12 years, Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi would perform on stage together as W.
On May 5, Kago announced on her blog that she had formed a new unit with Bokura no Zaidan, who she had frequently collaborated with throughout 2018, under the name Watashi to Bokura no Zaidan and that she would be in charge of the unit's planning and production."ご報告！" (in Japanese). Kago Ai Official Blog. 2019-05-05.https://twitter.com/BokuranoZaidan/status/1124960784100945920"加護亜依が新ユニット「わたしとボクらの罪団」結成、近日中にMV公開" (in Japanese). natalie. 2019-05-06.
On August 25, it was announced that Kago Ai had cancelled her contract with her management agency upon not being able to reach an agreement on certain terms after three months of discussion.
===2020===
On December 15, Kago launched an official Youtube channel where she would regularly post cover songs sung against a live band. 
===2022===
On February 12, Kago held her first streaming concert, "Kago Ai ga Utattemita" Live 2022.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUML7QYnGz4 The event was broadcast through her Youtube channel. 
===2023===
On February 25, Kago held her first solo concert in over three years, "Kago Channel Live 2023" at Tennozu Isle KIWA in Shinagawa.ライブします！ (in Japanese). Kago Ai Official Blog. 2023-02-02.
On December 17, Kago held a winter concert, "Kago Channel 2023 Live Winter."https://x.com/lovbus/status/1723305555635355933
===2024===
On April 18, Kago launched a new official website. 
On April 30, Kago opened a new official fanclub.https://x.com/lovbus/status/1785508163883778160 She also launched a second youtube channel focused on vlogging her everyday life.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1hBtmuvl1M
On June 9, Kago held her 2024 spring concert, "Kago Channel Live 2024 Spring" at Tokyo Kinema Kurabu.https://x.com/lovbus/status/1793056825816088644
==Personal Life==
==Profile==
==Discography==
==Publications==
===Photobooks===
#[2003.11.22] KAGO ai → GO ON THE JOURNEY!
#[2009.03.08] Gekkan Kago Ai SUPER CARGO
#[2009.08.27] Kinyoubi (金曜日)
#[2010.03.25] Los Angeles
===Books===
*[2008.08] Kago Ai LIVE ~Kago Ai no Miseinen Hakusho (published by メディア・クライス in August, 2008, 175 pages. ISBN 978-4778803384)
==Works==
===Movies===
*[2000] Pinch Runner (Brief appearance just before the credits, with other 4th gen members.)
*[2001] Isle Of Lesbos (レズパラ) (Japanese dub) "レズパラ" (in Japanese). Wikipedia
*[2002] Tokkaekko
*[2003] Minimoni the Movie Okashi na Daibouken!
*[2003] VICTORY! Futto Girls no Seishun
*[2009] 
*[2009] 
*[2009] Benten dori no hitobito (弁天通りの人々)
*[2009] Hana Oni (華鬼 三部作 響×桃子編)
*[2010] Nikushokukei joshi (肉食系女子。)
*[2010] The Haunting Lover (等着你回来; Deng Zhe Ni Hui Lai)
===TV Shows===
*[2000–2006] Hello! Morning
*[2000-2006] Utaban
*[2000] Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
*[2001] Bishoujo Kyouiku (Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons)
*[2001] Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
*[2002] Bishoujo Kyouiku II (Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons)
*[2002-2004] TinTin TOWN! (ティンティンTOWN!)
*[2002] Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
*[2003] Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
*[2004] Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
*[2004] Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!
*[2008] Marco Polori (マルコポロリ！)
*[2010] Yoru wa Bijo Bana (夜は美女バナ)
*[2023] Yobidashi Sensei Tanaka (呼び出し先生タナカ)
===TV Dramas===
*[2001] Kochira Dai-san Shakaibu (こちら第三社会部)
*[2002] Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo
*[2002] Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho (こちら本池上署)
*[2002] Tou-san no Natsu Matsuri (父さんの夏まつり)
*[2002] Mikeneko Holmes no Hanzaigaku Kouza (Voice actor)
*[2002] Angel Hearts
*[2004] Minimoni de Bremen no Ongakutai
*[2008] Tonsure (トンスラ)
*[2008] Nihonshi Suspence Gekijō (日本史サスペンス劇場)
*[2009] Ikemen Shin Sobaya Tantei: Iin da Ze! (イケ麺新そば屋探偵〜いいんだぜ!〜)
===Anime===
*[2001] Minimoni Yarunoda Pyon!
*[2001] (voice of from )
*[2002] Liliput Oukoku (リリパット王国)
*[2002] (voice of Ai~n-chan from Minihamus)
*[2003] (voice of Ai~n-chan from Minihamus)
*[2003] Minimoni. Jya TV (ミニモニ。じゃ てーびぃー)
*[2021] Todoke! FM830! Monday Night Symphony! (届け！FM83〇！マンデーナイトシンフォニーSS！)
===Commercials===
*[2000-2001] JT "Yamucharou"
*[2000-2002] Glico "Pocky"
*[2001] Panasonic "National Ion Kirei Air Purifying Air Conditioner"
*[2001] Panasonic "National Dan・Dan・Dan"
*[2001] Takara "E-Kara"
*[2001] DreamNet
*[2001] Polaroid "JOYCAM Hippare"
*[2001] Honda "Dio"
*[2001] Honda "Scoopy"
*[2002] Kirin "Kiriri"
*[2002] Kirin "Shakiriri"
*[2004] Elleseine "Sukima Manbo"
*[2004] Nagatanien "Microwave Mokomoko Chiffon"
*[2004] Epson
===Internet===
*[2004-2006] Hello! Project on FLET'S (ハロー！プロジェクトonフレッツ)
*[2008-2009] Kago Ai no Girls LOVE Talk (加護亜依のガールズLOVEトーク)
*[2010] Gekkan kago SPA! (月刊 加護SPA!)
*[2010] Gekkan! Kago-chan neru (月刊!加護ちゃんねる)
*[2018] Watashi no Shiranai, Watashi no Jijou (私の知らない、私の事情)
===Radio===
*[2000-2002] Tanpopo Henshubu OH-SO-RO! (タンポポ編集部 OH-SO-RO!)
*[2001-2003] Minimoni. no Minna HAPPY! (ミニモニ。のみんなHAPPY! )
*[2003-2004] Young Town Douyoubi (ヤングタウン土曜日)
===Musicals===
*[2005] Fushigi Shoujo Tantei Cara & Mel, Ma no Violin Dounan Jiken
===Stage Plays===
*[2018] Do You Know ~Desperado~
*[2018] Play ~kill time for xxx~
===Video Games===
*[2001] Space Venus starring Morning Musume
*[2004] Lilliput Oukoku: Lillimoni to Issho Puni! (リリパット王国 ～リリモニといっしょプニ！～)
==As a Hula Hoop Performer==
Kago and Tsuji shared the world record for the largest hula hoop spun at 4.08 m (13 ft 4+1⁄2
in) in diameter. They set their record on January 1, 2004, during a live New Year's Day television special at Nippon Television Network, Tokyo, Japan. The record appeared in the 2005 and 2006 editions of the Guinness Book of World Records and was the second time that she and Tsuji have held the record, having previously held the record between January 2003 and June 2003. The record was eventually broken by Ashrita Furman (USA) in September 2010.
==As an Author==
On August 25, 2008, Ai Kago released a book entitled "Kago Ai LIVE ~ Kago Ai no Miseinen Hakusho" On a July 13, 2008 post to her personal blog website, "Biscuit Club", Ai Kago describes the book as "a book where I talk to young teens about their various troubles and dreams. Idols-in-waiting, exchange students, high school girls, otaku. The teenage years can be tough, and I had a lot of troubles in those days. But it's important to break through those troubles."
==Trivia==
* Kago was crowned the kusojo ("crap girl") of Morning Musume after finishing last in the Mechaike Okajo Taiikusai Special (also known as the Mechaike Okajo Sports Festival).
*She was commonly ridiculed for her weight on variety shows while in Morning Musume.
*A character she often draws is a cupid-like girl who is usually flying and winking. She uses it mostly for her signatures.
*According to Tanemura Arina, the hairstyle of Koyama Mitsuki from her manga Full Moon o Sagashite was modeled after Kago when she was in Minimoni.
*She was the youngest person to join Morning Musume, as she turned 12 just two months prior to joining. She held this record for 11 years, until Kudo Haruka joined in 2011, at the age of 11.
*Her Morning Musume mentor was Goto Maki.
*She is the fifth former Morning Musume member (with Tsuji Nozomi) to only graduate from Morning Musume and not Hello! Project. The others being Nakazawa Yuko, Goto Maki, Yasuda Kei and Abe Natsumi.
*YouTuber Magibon mentioned being a fan of Morning Musume and supposedly based her nickname, "Magibon" off of Kago's nickname "Aibon".
*In an appearance on Yoso de Iwantoite (October 29, 2015), she said that she had her first boyfriend at the age of 15, while a member of Morning Musume. He was 17, and a member of a popular boy group. Her friends would ship him in a box to her house so they could date discreetly."加護亜依「15歳の頃の彼氏」を暴露。当時17歳の超人気グループメンバーとは？ " (in Japanese). Excite News. 2015-10-30.
==Honorary Titles==
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==References==
==External Links==
*Official Website 
*Official Fanclub
*Social Media Pages: Twitter, Instagram
*YouTube Channel
*Girls Beat!! Profile (archived)
*Former Official Website (archived)
*Official Website "Aibonjour" (Archived)
*Diamond Blog (archived)
*Wikipedia: Japanese, English
es:Kago Ai
fr:Kago Ai
Category:Kago Ai
Category:Morning Musume
Category:4th Generation Morning Musume
Category:W
Category:Minimoni
Category:Morning Musume Sakura Gumi
Category:3nin Matsuri
Category:Happy 7
Category:SALT5
Category:Wonderful Hearts
Category:1988 Births
Category:2000 Additions
Category:2007 Departures
Category:Members from Nara
Category:Tanpopo
Category:Hello! Project Shirogumi
Category:Youngest Morning Musume Member
Category:Morning Musume Graduates
Category:Blood Type AB
Category:February Births
Category:Members born in Showa Period
Category:Youngest Hello! Project Member
Category:Members born before Hello! Project's formation
Category:Members featured in Hello! Morning
Category:Members featured on Utaban
Category:Members involved in Scandals
Category:H.P. All Stars
Category:Pocky Girls
Category:Soloists
Category:Blue Member Color
Category:Red Member Color
Category:Girls Beat!!
Category:Group Leaders
Category:Former members who joined an Idol group
Category:Members who are married
Category:Members who are divorced
Category:Rabbit
Category:Aquarius