Nozomi Tsuji
Nozomi Tsuji |
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Nozomi Tsuji (辻 希美, Tsuji Nozomi, born June 17, 1987 in Tokyo, Japan), is a Japanese pop singer and was the leader of W, a J-pop duo group, a former fourth generation member of J-pop idol group Morning Musume, and a former founding member of Morning Musume subgroup MiniMoni. She has participated in the shuffle groups 10 nin Matsuri, Odoru 11, and 11 WATER, H.P. All Stars, as well as being a member of the Morning Musume splinter group Morning Musume Otomegumi.
Profile
- Nickname: Nono (のの), Tsuji-chan (辻ちゃん), Non (のん, more recently used), and Nontsuan (のんつあん, used by Reina Tanaka and Eri Kamei).
- Birth date: June 17, 1987
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
- Sign: Gemini
- Blood type: O
- Height: 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
- Weak subject: English
- Signature hairstyle: High Ponytail, with two small braids in the back. Nowadays without the braids, and a high bun.
- Favorite food: 8 level Ice Cream (8 different-flavored layers of soft cream, including strawberry & sesame seed)
- Favorite Morning Musume song: Shabondama and Jun Lover
Biography
In 2000, Tsuji auditioned for the pop group Morning Musume. At first, Tsunku, the group's producer, only wanted three new members for the group, and chose Rika Ishikawa, Hitomi Yoshizawa, and Ai Kago. However, he made a surprising move and added Tsuji as a fourth member, creating the fourth generation of the group. The fourth generation's debut single was Morning Musume's 9th, "Happy Summer Wedding".
Tsuji early on became friends with her fellow fourth generation member, Ai Kago, and as the youngest two members of the group, they assumed the roles of the hyperactive troublemakers of Morning Musume. Fans took to them quickly, dubbing them "The Twins", based on their similar looks and personalities. They both retained these personalities for their first years with the group, but by 2003, they were no longer the youngest or the most childish, so their hyperactivity toned down. However, Tsuji and Kago continued their strong association with each other inside the group (and their friendship outside of it). To most casual fans of Morning Musume, it was hard to think of one without thinking of the other. Kago and Tsuji are also known as "Two Top" as on a television special they were both the least knowledgeable when given surprise pop quizzes on several grade school problems, Tsuji being the least knowledgeable and Kago being the 2nd least knowledgeable.
In January 2001, she formed Minimoni with Mari Yaguchi and Ai Kago. In May 2004, Tsunku announced the graduation of both Tsuji and Kago from Morning Musume and created the group W (Double You), featuring the pair. On August 1, they officially graduated from Morning Musume.
She was the temporary world record holder in the Guinness World Records for spinning the largest Hula Hoop (12.5 m) for 30 seconds from January 2003 to June 2003. In January 2004, she and Ai Kago simultaneously regained the title, and held it until September 2005. She is also Goalkeeper for Gatas Brilhantes H.P., the Hello! Project Futsal team. She was crowned 'Bakajo' (Idiot Girl) with an average score of 249 out of 500 in the Mechaike Bakajo Test.
Tsuji's second solo photobook is available for sale, featuring a more mature side of her. It is entitled "Nonno 19" which is a possible pun; the combination of her two nicknames, "Nono" and "Non". Also, "non no 19" means "non's 19", which refers to her age. The PB shows Nozomi with her hair down, a look that has been rare for her. Tsuji is kept very busy, although it is not yet known if Up-Front Agency feels that she could be successful as a solo act.
On January 30 2007, it was announced on Hello! Project's official site that Tsuji will be voice-acting as a guest for Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 2: Sinkai no Princess de Arimasu!.[1]
In line with Mari Yaguchi's involvement in the Japanese 2007 adaptation of the popular 1955 Broadway play, "Damn Yankees", Tsuji was scheduled to be double casted with fellow 4th Generation ex-Morning Musume member, Rika Ishikawa, in "When Will You Return?" (『いつの日君帰る』, Istu no hi kimi kaeru), to open on May 4, 2007 at the Nissei Theatre in Tokyo, where it'll be performed up to the 22nd, but, due to health problems (gastroenteritis, according to the Official Hello! Project website), she was eventually replaced by Hitomi Yoshizawa.[2][3]
She is also reported to release a solo single "Koko ni Iruzee!" to go along with a new anime series "Robby & Kerobby" in which Tsuji will voice an announcer, and it was recently confirmed that it would be a solo cover of the Morning Musume single of the same title.
On March 26 2007, after Ai Kago's contract cancellation with Hello! Project, W disbanded.
On April 24 2007, news about Tsuji's new unit was released.[4] The unit, named Gyaruru, will be made up of Tsuji Nozomi, Tokito Ami and Gyaru Sone. Their first single, "BOOM BOOM Meccha Maccho", is scheduled for release on June 20, 2007 under the TNX label.
On May 8 2007, according to multiple Japanese news sources, Tsuji is 2 months pregnant, and currently engaged to actor Sugiura Takayasu (age 26). Their marriage is planned for June 17 2007 on Tsuji's twentieth birthday.[5] This is a rumor and has not yet been proven.
Trivia
- She was crowned "Idiot Girl" of Morning Musume.
- One of her most famous impersonations is that of a chicken clucking.
- Her older sister is/was a Ganguro.
- She was a last-minute addition to Morning Musume.
- She enjoys cooking but says she is constantly reprimanded for making a mess.
- Her hair has been dyed brown/orange since 2003.
- She can ride a unicycle.[6]
- She is very good friends with graduated Morning Musume member Ogawa Makoto often spending time with her off-camera.[7]
Discography
Single
| # | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Koko ni Iruzee!" (ここにいるぜぇ!) | 2007-05-13 |
Appearances
Dramas
- Angel Hearts (2002)
TV Shows
- Hello! Morning (ハロー！モーニング。) (2000—2007)
- Futarigoto (二人ゴト)
Publications
Photobooks
| Title | Release date | Produced by | ISBN |
| "Tsuji Kago" Photobook (辻希美・加護亜依写真集 「辻加護」) | 2002-05-22 | Wani Books | ISBN 4-8470-2710-8 |
| "Nono♥" Photobook (辻希美写真集 「のの♥」) | 2003-11-10 | Wani Books | ISBN 4-8470-2782-5 |
| "Non no 19" Photobook (辻希美写真集 「のんの19」) | 2006-11-18 | Takeshobo Co., Ltd | - |
Others
| Title | Release date | Publisher |
| U+U=W | 2004-12-04 | Takeshobo Co., Ltd |
References
- ^ Keroro movie voice-acting news
- ^ Official Century Land website report
- ^ Official Centruy Land website, April 26, 2007
- ^ Template:Ja icon Gyaruru release information on the TNX official website
- ^ "Hello!Online - Tsuji pregnant, and getting married". 2007-05-07.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Seen on Hello! Morning on several occasions, mostly during the "HaroMoni Theater" segment.
- ^ Stated on Futarigoto and another occasion on Hello! Morning.