entertainment

Hikaru Utada admits to paparazzi 'phobia' on Twitter

12 Comments

Pop star Hikaru Utada, 30, has taken to Twitter to discuss her fear of paparazzi in her first series of tweets since the apparent suicide of her mother in August.

Keiko Fuji, whose real name was Junko Utada, died on Aug 22 after she fell from the 13th floor of a condo in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in what police believe was a suicide. Fuji was a popular enka singer whose debut album “Woman in Shinjuku,” released in 1970, spent 20 straight weeks at the top of Oricon chart.

Utada took a break from her radio show following her mother's death and did not tweet until Wednesday, when she resumed tweeting to apologize to fans for the break.

The popular singer-songwriter, currently on hiatus, went on to announce that she had been followed by a paparazzo from a weekly gossip magazine for around a week and then barraged with questions. "I used to just tell myself it was their job and let it go, but after this I really have started to fear the press," she told her followers.

"I have finally got to the point where I am emotionally stable enough to go out with friends," she wrote, describing her recent treatment at the hands of the tabloid press as "callous" and her own state as "down".

The police found no suicide note left by Fuji, but in a statement, Utada said that her mother had been battling with mental illness. "She is finally freed from her agony," said Utada.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

12 Comments
Login to comment

Who can blame her? Paparazzi are parasites.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

I could never understand the legal frame that allows the paparazzi harass people. If I would stalk a girl every continuously trying to ask her questions about her private life, I would be immediately arrested. These guys are not. On another note, harassing somebody to just lost her mother under very tragic circumstances is unbelievable and should not be allowed.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I have had my brush with depression. A good doctor and medication helps. One must mourn a dear departed definitely, but after that go to a Shinto temple and cleanse with prayer. This would be a good time for Hiki san to pour her heart and soul out with a new album. Bring in the hubby to help. Soul 'de la soul.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

They are the symptom but not the disease.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

unfortunately, her silence on the issue created more of a frenzy to get info from her. but this the price for fame in today's society. you get rich and famous, but the public also demands to know everything about you. and i don't think twitter or facebook is making it any easier.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Paparazzi definitely needs some restrictions placed on them. If not restrictions, I would only wish they could follow their heart rather than money. Rushing somebody that just lost a family member or close friend do not need to get bombarded with meaningless and heartless prying questions liek, "How do you feel right now?"

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Well, the type of papparazzi that camp out outside celebrities homes spying on them or go running and get up in their face at every occasion, hoping to get some controversial picture scoop, I have no respect for. It's downright harassment and I wish them nothing good.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Honestly, I feel bad for celebraties, they want to be actors/singers and show the world their talent. In return they get psyco stalkers and their privacy stolen. After her mother's death it should expected she would disappear for a while!! she should grieve like anyone else, shes human isnt she?

Totally off topic - Over here in the US theres a bill in the senate where celebraties are trying to protect their children by any papazazi taking photos of children without a guardians permission can finally get into trouble for being creepers. i dont care who they are, a stalker is a stalker even if its their "job", most of these people need to get real jobs. Some of these people have caused accidents and even deaths. So honestly I dont have much respect for them. There should be a line in the media and some respect for people. Celebraties arent animals, they are humans and they do have feelings.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She is over the age of 16... so Paparazzi will not be stalking her!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The price of fame or even having a famous close relative who is creative (i.e. actor, writer, singer, politician etc.). The list is long. Elvis, Marilyn, James Dean, River Phoenix, Mishima, Akutagawa, Kawabata, Heath Ledger, Kurt Cobain, van Gogh, Hemingway, Viriginia Woolf. It can be tough when your privacy is basically taken from you.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Then she made a smart move moving to a country where few people know her.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Depression is hereditary, she should start getting proper counseling and medication instead of dwelling to paparazzi...it's their job, and it's her job to have a positive outlook and give a few intervies to them she being in show business.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites