entertainment

Ayumi Hamasaki headed for second divorce

51 Comments

Pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki, 37, has announced she is getting divorced -- for the second time. According to an announcement posted on her members-only fan site “TeamAyu” (TA) on Sunday, the Japanese pop star hinted at an impending breakup with her 28-year-old American husband, with whom she currently resides with in Los Angeles.

Hamasaki met her husband, Tyson Bodkin, in January 2013 while she was in LA on vacation. At the time, Bodkin was a medical student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The two caused a frenzy among fans when Hamasaki took to her fan site to announce their whirlwind marriage on March 3, 2014. Fans expressed surprise that Bodkin was 10 years her junior.

Hamasaki wrote on her fan site: “There is something I have to tell you all. My partner — the man who has walked beside me on life’s road for three years — and I have decided to go our separate ways. He will follow his own road, as I, too, embark on my own path.”

The singer candidly confessed to fans, “I’m writing this message here because I wanted you to hear it from me first. I did not want the media to report on this first as the impending TA Tour kicks off [in late September].”

While the divorce has not been finalized, an official representative has acknowledged, “The two have seemed to grow apart and divorce talks between the two are in the works.” Rumors suggest that the breakup was inevitable given the pop diva’s “back and forth” lifestyle between Japan and America, Sankei Shimbun reported.

This will not be the pop star’s first divorce. She previously tied the knot to Austrian actor Manuel Schwarz in Las Vegas back on New Year’s Day in 2011. After one year of marriage, news broke that the two had filed for divorce.

Hamasaki’s first marriage, however, was registered only in the U.S. — with no marriage license issued in Japan. Therefore, if a divorce is finalized between Hamasaki and her current husband, her Japanese family registry will only be marked as a “one-time divorcee.”

The pop star’s nationwide fan club tour (the TA Tour) will commence on Sept 30

She concluded her post by writing, “I hope to continue focusing on my rehearsals for the TA Tour and recording new songs.”

On Sept 19, Hamasaki is also scheduled to perform on TV Asahi’s “Music Station” 30th Anniversary show airing at noon.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

51 Comments
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Never saw that coming...

10 ( +12 / -3 )

Poor thing. 37, divorced twice, no kids. She's quite representative of many "successful" women of our time, who probably are not very happy...

-14 ( +11 / -25 )

Oh ffs. People have several relationships in their lives, and very few of them work out. People change over years, and/or when you realise they are not the person you want to stay with forever, it is sensible to end the marriage. She has committed to relationships, given them a go, and has chosen not to stay in them when they are not good. She shows complete good sense. Good for her

All this twaddle about unhappy modern women, what utter bollocks. The unhappy women are the ones who stay in an unsatisfying, unstimulating, or abusive relationship.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

This is inevitably what happens when two people from vastly different cultures marry each other without being fluent in the other's language.

-26 ( +6 / -32 )

Poor thing. 37, divorced twice, no kids

Some people just aren't keen on having kids you know.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

At least she didn't use the pathetic tsunami excuse she did in explaining her first divorce.

Met one on a video shoot and the other while on on vacation. Maybe she should concentrate on actually getting to know who she's marrying first.

Just a thought.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

This is inevitably what happens when two people from vastly different cultures marry each other without being fluent in the other's language.

While it does happen quite often, it's not inevitable by any means. There are a ridiculous amount of examples to contradict your theory.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

Her marriages always seem to be about her maintaining an image and staying relevant. Now, I am assuming that she will milk this for some kind of promotional tour of an upcoming album or appearances on a lot of variety shows will be coming soon.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Some people just aren't keen on having kids you know.

I know. But she said she was, in an interview just after she got married. Again. In fact I recall she wouldn't shut up about it. I suppose younger husband got cold feet.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

I'm free!

3 ( +8 / -5 )

A long distance relationship is a fantasy relationship in real life because it's like a honeymoon situation. It's passionate and romantic but many problems are ignored. In other words it's a cover up for a real relationship which requires commitment, contact and action. That's why it never, ever works except for a very few exceptions.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

A long distance relationship is a fantasy relationship in real life because it's like a honeymoon situation. It's passionate and romantic but many problems are ignored. In other words it's a cover up for a real relationship which requires commitment, contact and action. That's why it never, ever works except for a very few exceptions.

From the article:

the Japanese pop star hinted at an impending breakup with her 28-year-old American husband, with whom she currently resides with in Los Angeles.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

"So you're telling me there's a chance?"

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Meh...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The guy's a stud - good looking, med student, and now a marriage + divorce to a J-popper on his resume. I guess she got her 3 years of thrills from him, but realized L.A. traffic is too much to deal with.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

She is pretty, runs a great huge business and sings well. I wonder how much she will have to pay him to get out of it.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Now she can focus on making more great music (!!??).

0 ( +4 / -4 )

hope she had a pre-nup, Cali divides marital assets in HALF.

That's only for a commingled account or assets. If it is an account or asset (assets are trickier to prove sole possession of) held solely by one person, the other is not automatically entitled to that. They are entitled, should the divorce put one into a state of financial hardship, money/support to an amount that is derived from the net worth of all accounts/assets of the spouse seen as the more well-to-do person in the relationship.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Why did I read that article ? Lol

7 ( +10 / -3 )

She has such pretty eyes... plus she's a good singer!

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

@Tanukiponpon

I wonder how many of them say that just to appease the press. When Norika Fujiwara held a press conference to announce her second marriage, she was asked if she had plans to start a family. I remember her saying that they are both very busy with work and other commitments, but that they would try. Saying that they would try was necessary to keep the press hounds at bay.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

naaaw? You don't say!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What she needs a more compassionate man that completely understand the rigors of being in the talent business but accommodating to change and yet strong enough to understand situations come up in relationships that are beyond anyone's control...she just didn't seem to understand that part yet 3 yrs before nor the younger fellow, but I do and am available...

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Wow, she's got more baggage than the check-in counter at Heathrow Terminal 5.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I'll take care of you this time.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Why is she making this everybody's business? Why did I waste my own time reading this? She has like, four good songs...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Why is she making this everybody's business?

Because she's a celebrity with a large fan base for almost 20 years. She put it out on her own site, which no one who doesn't want to visit will visit. The news picked it up and decided it was relevant, due to, again, the fact that she is a celebrity with a large fan base for almost 20 years. She didn't make it "everyone's business", she made it the business of her fans. The media has made it everyone's business.

Why did I waste my own time reading this?

That's a really good question. In fact, the question of the day.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

https://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/ayumi-hamasaki-marries-ucla-med-student

Unsurprisingly, quite a few JT'ers called this result and were downvoted heavily for even suggesting it ;-)

3 ( +5 / -2 )

How long did she expect her 27 yr old toy boy to hang around for?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

yawn.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

serious yawn... she's a washed up c grade talento... when was the last time she was on TV?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

serious yawn... she's a washed up c grade talento... when was the last time she was on TV?

Grade C? Really?

In 1998, under the tutelage of Avex CEO Max Matsuura, Hamasaki released her debut single "Poker Face" and released her million-selling record A Song for XX. The album debuted at the top of the Oricon charts and remained there for four weeks, establishing her popularity in Japan. Her next five albums accomplished over one million shipments in Japan, with her third effort Duty selling near three million units, becoming her best selling studio album. A Best, her first compilation album, is her best selling album, with more than four million copies sold in Japan. In 2008, after her album Next Level was released, album and single sales declined due to ongoing competition with new upcoming artists. Throughout her career, Hamasaki has had all her albums within the top five position in Japan and has five million-selling singles, including "Boys & Girls", "A", "Seasons", "M" and "H".

And:

Hamasaki has sold over 51 million records, making her one of the best-selling artists in Japan. Hamasaki has several domestic record achievements for her singles, such as the most number-one hits by a female artist (38); the most consecutive number-one hits by a solo artist (twenty-five), and the most million-sellers. From 1999 to 2010, Hamasaki had at least one single each year topping the charts. Hamasaki is the first female recording artist to have eight studio albums since her debut to top the Oricon and the first artist to have a number-one album for 13 consecutive years since her debut. Hamasaki's second remix album, Super Eurobeat Presents Ayu-ro Mix, is recognized as one of the best selling remix albums of all time and remains her only album to be recognized in a worldwide accreditation.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayumi_hamasaki

She was never one to be on TV very often, and that's probably a reflection of just how successful she was - she didn't need to be on TV.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

plus she's a good singer!

In comparison to who? Nakai of SMAP?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

her voice is reedy and thin.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Can I be NEXT ?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

This is inevitably what happens when two people from vastly different cultures marry each other without being fluent in the other's language.

Rubbish.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

She's the Cheryl Tweedy Cole Fernandez-Versini of Japan. Little talent, poor singing voice and a tendency to dash head first into reckless relationships.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@ Jalapeno she hung around long enough to get a permanent resident green card so now she can come and go as she please! Yes the guy's a stud - good looking, med student, and now a marriage + divorce to a J-popper on his resume. Yes she got her 3 years of thrills from him, but he probably got his medical school paid for which isn't cheap at UCLA. California is a community property state so let's hope this works out well, yes she made millions before marriage but if it goes to court California law will look at what millions she made after the marriage and consider those earnings as communal earnings in the marriage. Let's just hope that pretty smile doesn't turn to a frown!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It is not going to be a great problem to her she is free and might get more opportunities for the future

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

If the first marriage didn't work ...no point making the same mistake twice.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Is there anybody here who honestly expected that to last longer than it did?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@misunderstood - fair point about the green card. Basically, they both benefited from their arrangement - win-win.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Most realists could see the divorce coming a mile away. I am still laughing at the people who were defending her true love when the article broke out here that she was getting married.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Wasn't there a pool made up for their eventual divorce back when the wedding was announced? Who won the over/under?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I bet you guys are a right laugh at weddings, what with your astute observational skills, powers of prediction, and desire to be right (if you still get invited that is).

Never saw that coming...

This is inevitably what happens when two people from vastly different cultures marry each other without being fluent in the other's language.

naaaw? You don't say!

How long did she expect her 27 yr old toy boy to hang around for?

Is there anybody here who honestly expected that to last longer than it did?

Most realists could see the divorce coming a mile away.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Predicting someone will divorce when they get married costs absolutely nothing, and let's the person say 'I called it' if it happens. Yet you'll never see that same person saying 'I was wrong' when they don't get divorced.

In other words, it's an entirely meaningless prediction.

And who gets off on someone else's divorce anyways? Seems a weird thing to gain satisfaction from.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I met someone who worked with her bat ten years ago. He said she seemed to be getting cosmetic surgery every other week.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She's irrelevant, probably burning up thousands of dollars everyday on this new tour promotion, has no "quality" original material for a new album, wants a baby (but husband does not because he knows that she could simply vanish one day with his child never to be seen again), and with so very many gorgeous and available women in Los Angeles and the doctor having been there and done that, he has no physical desire whatsoever for Hamasaki anymore. It's over.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Gotta love JT with its misogyny hidden behind anonymity.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'd like to be the third.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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