KIZUNA { aya ueto fansite }

# Biography

1997-2003

Aya Ueto first attracted attention on August 21st 1997 during the 7th All-Japan National Beauty contest for girls where she was awarded the judges' special choice award. She started acting in the drama "Namida wo fuite" in 2000. She incarnated the role of Fuchigami Momo, a 14 year old girl who comes living with her two siblings at her father's friend's apartment after this one passed away. Alongside acting, Aya was featured in a lot of commercials for Nishin Food Products (2001), Nivea Kao Soap (2002), Coca-Cola (2002), BANDAI (2002) and many more.

In 1999, Aya Ueto, Mami Nejiki, Mai Fujiya and Manami Nishiwaki formed a jpop band called "Z-1". Although their time was short, they released a total of five singles before the band split up (a special album including all their songs and videos was released by their old record label, Toshiba-Emi in 2003). Fortunately, Ueto's music career was not over yet. Two years following the band's break up, Aya was offered a contract with record label, Pony Canyon.

Aya's first big break of her acting career was in October 2001, when she was cast to play the role of Tsurumoto Nao, a girl suffering from sexual identity disorder, in the well known drama, "3 Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei". She gave an intense, inpassioned performance that touched the viewers all over the country. This not only boosted her popularity, but it also allowed her to be cast in other major dramas like "My Little Chef" in 2002 and "Koukou Kyoushi" in 2003.

Aya's solo music career with Pony Canyon was launched on August 2002 when she released her debut single "Pureness". The single managed to rank No.4 on the Oricon charts. Aya herself admitted being very surprised by the strong sales of the single, due to her lack of singing abilities. As Aya released her second solo single "kizuna" which ranked No.5 on the Oricon charts, she was, for the frst time, asked to do voice acting in the new Disney movie, "Peter Pan 2: Return to Neverland". A new single was released on February 26, "Hello" ranked No.10 on the Oricon Charts and her first album entitled "AYAUETO" was released on March 12, this one debuted at No.5 on the Oricon Album charts.

May 2003 proved to be a busy month for Aya, her first feature film "Azumi" hit theaters on May 10th, she released her fourth maxi single "MESSAGE / PERSONAL" on the 14th and debuted at No.10. She also wrapped up her first nation-wide live tour with a touching final performance as Yonekura Ryoko came by to give her a flower bouquet and congratulate her on the tour's big success, Aya burst in tears, overwhelmed by the act.

In July, Aya stared in her second lead role in the drama "Hito natsu no papa e". She played the role of Marimo, a teenage girl who decides to search for her father after the death of her mother. Aya's fifth single "Kanshou/MERMAID", released on August 27, the a-side was used as the theme song for the drama. Two new DVD releases, starting with her live tour released on August 6 and a Video clip compilation "Ueto Aya Clips 01" released on September 18th. Aya celebrated her 18th birthday on September 14th.