Yu Hayami
Childhood and education. Hayami was born in Atami, Shizuoka, and was raised in Guam and Hawaii from the age of 3 to 14 years old. She was scouted by an agent at the age of 14 and soon moved back to Japan to start her career as a singer. After graduating from Horikoshi High School in 1986, she entered Sophia University and graduated, receiving a bachelor's degree in Comparative Culture. Musical career. In 1982, Hayami gained her J-pop singer's debut with the single "Isoide Hatsukoi" (ASAP, my first love!) after being scouted by a talent  agent in a shopping mall's elevator in Hawaii in 1980 when she was only 14 years old. Named “Bilingual girl back from Hawaii” due to her ability to speak very fluent English because of her background, Hayami was instantly recognised and touted as one of the best newcomers to watch out for. She proceeded to win most of the major newcomers’ awards by end of 1982. In 1983, her fifth single, "Natsu Iro no Nancy" (Summer Coloured Nancy), was selected as a campaign song for a Coca-Cola commercial, and she became a cover girl of that. The single  became Hayami's first Big Hit, making it to the top 10 of the Oricon Chart, winning countless awards. As a result of the success of the song, Hayami made her 1st appearance at the 34th edition of the year end NHK Kouhaku Red and White Song Festival. Hayami participated consecutively 3 years in the prestigious show. (1983 - 1985) In 1985, in order to shed off her "teen idol" image, Hayami began releasing euro beat dance music, and was well received. In the early 1990s, when her pop music career began to decline, Hayami shifted her focus to become an  actress and TV & Radio presenter. Being able to speak fluent English, Hayami's host programmes were all catered to English speaking education materials and were all very popular. Hayami continued her successful presenter's work till current, and can still be regularly seen on entertainment varieties programme singing her signature songs from the early stage of her idol career. Film career. She gained the first role in the 1982 film "Santō Kōkōsei". Up till 2008, Hayami has appeared in 13 movies, including one produced and filmed entirely in Hong Kong in 1987. Recent activities. Aside from releasing numerous hit singles  and albums, Hayami has been very active in theater and in TV and films as well. 1988 Musical, “Grease” played Sandy 1989-1994 Musical “The Wizard of Oz” played Dorothy 1996 Musical “My Last Love” 1996 Musical “Daddy Long Legs” 1997-1999 Les Misérables played Cosette 2011 Musical “Heroine” played Nana 2019 Musical “Annie” played Ms. Hannigan In 2008, she starred as the Captain General in the Tokusatsu series "". Hayami is a co-host alongside Master Chef Tatsuo Saito on the NHK program "Dining with the Chef," which airs internationally on NHK World. Together, they present the basics and importance  of Japanese cuisine. Personal life. Hayami was married to Tomio Fukuda in 1996, and has two daughters.