Dream Ami
{{Short description|Japanese singer, dancer, and television personality (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dream Ami
| image = Ami Nakashima, 2014 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_name = {{nihongo|Ami Nakashima|中島麻未}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|05|11}}
| birth_place = Minoh, Osaka, Japan
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names = Ami
| agent = {{ublist|Avex Management (2002–06)|LDH (2008–)}}
| height = {{height|m=1.64}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Yuto Handa|2020}}
| children =
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|dancer|television personality}}
| website = [http://ami-ldh.jp/ ami-ldh.jp]
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|J-pop}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar{{cite news | url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2100971/full/ | title=Dream Ami、変わらぬ絆に涙「Dreamは名字みたいなもの」 | date=November 21, 2017 | access-date=November 21, 2017 | work=Oricon | language=ja}}}}
| years_active = 2002–present
| label = {{hlist||Avex Trax|Rhythm Zone}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist||Dream|E-girls}}
}}
}}
{{nihongo|Ami Nakashima|中島 麻未|Nakashima Ami}}, known as Ami or Dream Ami, is a Japanese singer, dancer and television personality. She is a former member of the Japanese girl groups Dream and E-girls.
She debuted as a member of the eight-member group Dream in 2002 at the age of 14, and she had remained throughout several line-up changes until the group stopped their activities. She gained fame after becoming part of the collective girl group E-girls in 2011. In 2015, she debuted as a solo artist with the single "Dress o Nuida Cinderella".{{cite news | url=http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/16689/e-girls-member-ami-to-make-solo-debut-this-summer/ | title=E-girls Member Ami To Make Solo Debut This Summer | work=Jpop Asia | date=April 29, 2015 | access-date=May 1, 2015}} Apart from music activities, she is widely known for her regular appearances on Japanese television and various media, and was ranked as one of the most popular Japanese female idols by Nikkei in 2016 and 2017.{{cite news | url=https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1564084 | title=E-girls・Ami「まだまだ納得できてない」 今後の夢とは？ | work=Modelpress | date=February 12, 2016 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja}}{{cite news | url=http://style.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO17221860S7A600C1000000?channel=DF280120166614 | title=HKT指原が連覇 NMB山本、乃木坂の白石も上昇 | work=Nikkei Style | date=June 15, 2017 | access-date=July 19, 2017 | language=ja}}
Early life
Ami was born in Minoh, Osaka Prefecture on May 11, 1988, as the youngest child of her family. She has an older brother and an older sister.{{cite news | url=http://ameblo.jp/dream-ldh/entry-11124946558.html | title=家族大公開！笑 | author=Ami | date=January 2, 2012 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja | publisher=Ameba Blogs | archive-date=January 14, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114122726/http://ameblo.jp/dream-ldh/entry-11124946558.html | url-status=dead }} She harbored a passion for singing from a young age. During her third year in elementary school, Ami enrolled in Minoh's boys and girls choir where she was an alto singer. She became interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry after performing in recitals, with the aspiration of getting more people to look at her.{{cite news | url=https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1729502 | title=Dream Ami、感極まり涙も...初単独ソロツアー東京公演に熱狂＜MC＆衣装＞ | date=November 21, 2017 | access-date=November 22, 2017 | language=ja | work=Modelpress}}{{cite web | url=https://tvtopic.goo.ne.jp/kansai/program/ytv/55440/396741/ | title=音力〜ONCHIKA〜 (30 July 2015 放送回) | date=July 30, 2015 | access-date=November 22, 2017 | language=ja | publisher=Goo }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Prior to debuting, she attended the vocal and dance school, CALESS, in Osaka.{{cite web | url=http://www.caless.com/artist/#debut | title=Debuted Artists from Caless | language=ja | publisher=Caless Official Website}}
Career
=2002–14: Dream and E-girls=
{{Main|Dream (Japanese group)|E-girls}}
On July 7, 2002, she was announced to be joining the group Dream as a new member alongside five other girls, after successfully passing the audition held by Avex.{{cite web | url=http://dream-ldh.jp/profile/index.php | title=Profile | publisher=Dream Official Website | access-date=August 4, 2017 | language=ja}} The new line-up later debuted with the single "Music Is My Thing", used as the ending song for the anime Hikaru no Go in 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/27290/products/499547/1/ | title=Music is My Thing – Dream | publisher=Oricon | date=February 13, 2003 | access-date=August 1, 2017|language=ja}} In 2005, she became a part of the temporary subgroup a☆girls with Aiko Kayo within Girl's Box – a collaborative unit made up of female singers affiliated to Avex. The duo recorded and performed a cover of the 1980s duo Wink.{{cite web | url=http://avex.jp/3rdxmas/index.html | title=3rd X'mas featuring Dream, Nao Nagasawa, SweetS, Nanase Hoshii, Aiko Kayo, Paradise Go!! Go!!, Michi Saito| publisher=Avex | access-date=October 28, 2017 | language=ja}} Later in 2008, Dream, at that time rebranded as DRM, changed management to LDH. They also changed their group name back to Dream and Ami started to use her given name romanized as stage name.{{cite news | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/8506 | title=DRMから初期メン長谷部優が脱退＆「Dream」に改名 | work=Natalie | date=July 22, 2008 | access-date=August 1, 2017 | language=ja}}
In April 2011, she began her activities as a part of LDH's new collective unit, E-girls, with the members of Dream, Happiness and Flower during the live events E-Girls Show.{{cite news | url=http://ameblo.jp/dream-ldh/entry-10868008787.html | title=週刊EXILEで大集合 | author=Dream | date=April 21, 2011 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja | publisher=Ameba Blogs | archive-date=July 15, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715105503/http://ameblo.jp/dream-ldh/entry-10868008787.html | url-status=dead }} On December 28, 2011, she debuted officially as a member of the group on their debut single "Celebration!", holding a concurrent position as a member of both E-girls and Dream.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/552190/products/943771/1/ | title=Celebration! – E-girls | publisher=Oricon | date=December 28, 2011 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja}} Initially featured only as a performer, Ami made her first appearance as a vocalist in E-girls' line-up on their third single and breakthrough song "Follow Me" in 2012.{{cite news | url=https://www.musicman-net.com/artist/18390 | title=イメージ一新したE-Girls、新曲「Follow Me」MV解禁 | work=Musicman-net | date=August 25, 2012 | access-date=August 21, 2017 | language=ja}} Since then, she had remained one of the main vocalists and the most prominent member of the group until her departure from the group.{{cite news | url=https://mdpr.jp/interview/detail/1691873 | title=＜Dream Amiインタビュー＞E-girlsの"顔"が「役目を果たした」と感じた瞬間...ソロ専念で金髪はどうする？「E.G.family」を初めて語る | work=Modelpress | date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja}}
In January 2014, she was announced to be the new leader of Dream. Later that year, she also took part in Dance Earth Project's stage play Changes, and participated in the single "Peace Sunshine" as a member of Dance Earth Party alongside other Dream members.{{cite web | url=http://www.fujitv.co.jp/events/stage/depc/index.html | title=DANCE EARTH PROJECT「CHANGES」 | publisher=FujiTV | access-date=October 28, 2017 | language=ja}}{{cite news | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/114585 | title=EXILE、E-girlsら「DANCE EARTH」ユニット新曲リリース | work=Natalie | date=April 16, 2014 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | language=ja}}
=2015–17: Solo debut and ''Re: Dream''=
On April 29, 2015, during E-girls' concert at Saitama Super Arena, it was announced that Ami would make her solo debut in the summer as Dream Ami, while remaining active in both of her groups. Her debut single, "Dress o Nuida Cinderella", was released on July 29 and peaked at number five on the Oricon Singles Chart.{{cite web | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/596940/products/1131658/1/ | title=Dress o Nuida Cinderella – Ami | work=Oricon | language=ja | access-date=September 25, 2017}} The following month, she was featured on Tofubeats' single "Positive". The song was released digitally on August 9, and served as the lead single for the studio album of the same name.{{cite web| url=http://ami-ldh.jp/index.php?a=news_detail&id=1025109 | script-title=ja:tofubeats×Dream Amiによる"まさにドリーム"なコラボが実現！ | date=August 6, 2015 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | publisher=Dream Ami Official Website | language=ja}}
On February 24, 2016, it was announced that she would sing the theme song for the Japanese version of the Disney film Zootopia, and provide the voice for one of the characters. The song titled "Try Everything" is the Japanese version of the song of the same title by Shakira and was released in two different versions in April.{{cite web| url=https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/トライ-エヴリシング/1098474469?i=1098474472 | title=Try Everything by Dream Ami | date=April 15, 2016 | access-date=November 24, 2017 | publisher=iTunes Store | location=Japan }}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web| url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4-%E3%82%A8%E3%83%B4%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-dream-ami-version/1100592492?i=1100592769 | title=Try Everything (Dream Ami version) by Dream Ami | date=April 20, 2016 | access-date=November 24, 2017 | publisher=iTunes Store | location=Japan }} It reached number eight on Billboard Japan's Hot Animation of the Year 2016.{{cite web| url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/45105/2 | title=【ビルボード年間Hot Animation】アニメチャートトップは2016年一大旋風を巻き起こした映画の主題歌 | date=December 8, 2016 | access-date=December 22, 2017 | publisher=Billboard Japan | language=ja}} On October 19, 2016, she released her 3rd single, a Japanese cover of the Cardigans' Lovefool.{{cite web| url=http://aramajapan.com/news/musicvideo/dream-ami-releases-cover-of-the-cardigans-lovefool/64367/ | title=Dream Ami releases cover of The Cardigans' "Lovefool" | date=September 19, 2016 | access-date=August 23, 2017 | publisher=Arama Japan}} It was the first single to include a song for which she had been credited as lyricist.{{cite web| url=http://ami-ldh.jp/index.php?a=news_detail&id=1040335 | script-title=ja:Dream Ami ニューシングル「Lovefool -好きだって言って-」今夜ラジオ初オンエア＆初のDream Ami作詞曲を含む収録内容を公開!! | date=September 10, 2016 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | publisher=Dream Ami Official Website | language=ja}}
Ami released her 4th single, "Hayaku Aitai", on March 22, 2017. She wrote the lyrics for the title track, used as the theme song for the live-action movie Daytime Shooting Star.{{cite news| url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/01/31-1/hirunaka-no-ryuusei-live-action-film-trailer-featuring-theme-song-by-dream-ami-posted | title="Hirunaka no Ryuusei" Live-Action Film Trailer Featuring Theme Song by Dream Ami Posted | date=January 31, 2017 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | publisher=Crunchyroll}} The song ranked as one of the most listened songs among teenage girls on Line Music in 2017, and the lyrics were cited as one of the reasons for its popularity.{{cite web| url=http://music-mag.line.me/ja/archives/73603702.html | title=『2017年間ランキング』を発表 LINE MUSICで楽しめる4,300万曲の中で今年 最も支持された楽曲は？ | date=December 21, 2017 | access-date=December 21, 2017 | publisher=Line Music Magazine | language=ja}}{{cite news| url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/d_news/detail/49479/2 | title=いま若者からの支持がアツい！ Dream Ami 新曲「はやく逢いたい」大盛り上がり | date=April 4, 2017 | access-date=August 5, 2017 | publisher=Billboard Japan | language=ja}} On June 5, 2017, it was announced that she would focus on her solo activities as one of the acts making up the E.G.family. The two-day concert "E.G. Evolution" held on July 15 and 16 at Saitama Super Arena were her last activities as a member of both groups.{{cite news| url=http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/21500/e-girls-announces-huge-line-up-change-dream-disbands/ | title=E-Girls Announces Huge Line Up Change + Dream Disbands|date=June 5, 2017 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | publisher=Jpop Asia}} She announced on her birthday that she would be releasing her 5th single "Kimi no Tonari" on July 12, 2017.{{cite web| url=http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/21361/dream-ami-announces-5th-single-on-birthday/ | title=Dream Ami Announces 5th Single On Birthday | date=May 11, 2017 | access-date=August 2, 2017 | publisher=Jpop Asia}}
Her first studio album, Re: Dream, was released on October 4, 2017.{{cite web| url=http://www.jpopasia.com/feed/21736/dream-ami-announces-1st-studio-album-redream/ | title=Dream Ami Announces 1st Studio Album "Re: Dream" | date=July 17, 2017 | access-date=August 23, 2017 | publisher=Jpop Asia}} In support of the album, she embarked on her first solo concert tour named Dream Ami 1st Live Tour 2017 Re: Dream. The live house tour consisted of five shows and visited five cities in Japan throughout the month of November.{{cite news | url=http://m.egfamily-m.jp/Cts/live/2017/re_dream/index | script-title=ja:Dream Ami 1st. Live Tour 2017 Re: Dream | access-date=November 18, 2017 | publisher=E.G.family mobile | language=ja}}
= 2018–present: Singles and ''E.G.POWER to the DOME'' =
On April 18, 2018, she released her 6th single "Amaharu". The single includes footage of her first tour held on November 21 in Tokyo. On July 21, she made her first solo appearance at Tokyo Girls Collection after graduating from E-girls.{{Cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1768248|title=emma・松井愛莉・八木アリサらも登場 Dream AmiはTGC初ソロステージ＜TGC富山2018＞ – モデルプレス|website=モデルプレス – ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース|date=May 21, 2018 |language=ja|access-date=April 6, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/music/detail/1781073|title=Dream Ami、富山の声援に感激「全開ですね」＜TGC富山2018＞ – モデルプレス|website=モデルプレス – ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース|date=July 21, 2018 |language=ja|access-date=April 6, 2020}} On September 7 of the same year, she released the digital single "NEXT". The song was used as ending song for the Netflix animation movie Next Gen. On October 24, Ami released her 7th single "Wonderland". The song was used as theme song for the movie Ozland Egao no Mahou Oshiemasu.
From February 22 to May 25, 2019, she participated in E.G.family's first tour E.G.POWER 2019 ~POWER to the DOME~. On March 13, she released her 8th single "Good Goodbye". The song was pre-released on January 30 and used as the theme song for the movie えいがのおそ松さん Eiga Osomatsu-San (Mr. Osomatsu the Movie). On August 6, it was announced that Ami will cover Koda Kumi's song "Koi no Tsubomi" for the drama Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru 2019, which stars E-girls/Flower member Harumi Sato and Exile/Sandaime J Soul Brothers member Naoto.{{Cite web|url=https://egfc.jp/news-detail/3739/|title=Naoto and Harumi drama roles 2019}} The song was released as a digital single on September 17.{{Cite web|url=https://egfc.jp/news-detail/3761/|title=Dream Ami Koda Kumi cover for drama}}
On February 17, 2020, it was announced that Ami will carry the Olympic torch as one of 10 LDH members in the torch relay in Tokyo on July 17.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202002170000350.html|title=ＬＤＨ10人、東京五輪の東京都グループ聖火走者に – 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ|website=nikkansports.com|language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tokyoheadline.com/486570/|title=松本利夫、MAKIDAI、Dream Ami、THE RAMPAGEメンバーら、東京五輪聖火リレー走る|date=February 17, 2020|website=TOKYO HEADLINE|language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}} Furthermore, she released her first style book titled Amithing on March 5.{{Cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1963975|title=Dream Ami、初のスタイルブックを発表 撮影はAya – モデルプレス|website=モデルプレス – ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース|date=December 27, 2019 |language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}}
Personal life
Ami's trademark is her blond hair. When Dream transferred to LDH in 2008 she decided to change her image by dyeing her hair.{{Cite web|url=https://realsound.jp/2014/11/post-1775.html|title=E-girls／DreamのAmiとAyaが活動振り返る 「Dreamは宇宙一諦めの悪いガールズグループ」|website=Real Sound｜リアルサウンド|date=November 15, 2014 |language=ja|access-date=April 4, 2020}}
On February 22, 2020, Ami announced her marriage to Yuto Handa, architect and former member of popular reality TV show "Terrace House". The couple started dating in 2017 after getting introduced to each other by a mutual acquaintance.{{Cite web|url=https://m.egfamily-m.jp/news/detail?news_id=28706|title=Dream Amiよりいつも応援してくださる皆さまへ {{!}} NEWS|website=E.G.family mobile|language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://mdpr.jp/news/detail/1975969|title=Dream Ami、元テラハ半さん（半田悠人）と結婚＜コメント全文＞ – モデルプレス|website=モデルプレス – ライフスタイル・ファッションエンタメニュース|date=February 20, 2020 |language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/202002220000282.html|title=Ｄｒｅａｍ Ａｍｉがテラハ建築家"半さん"と結婚 – 結婚・熱愛 : 日刊スポーツ|website=nikkansports.com|language=ja|access-date=February 22, 2020}}
Discography
{{Main|Dream Ami discography}}
- Re: Dream (2017)
Tours
Filmography
= Films =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Title
!scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| Zootopia
| 2016 | Gazelle | Japanese dub |{{cite news | url=http://natalie.mu/eiga/news/177243 | title=Dream Amiがディズニー「ズートピア」で主題歌担当、ポップスター役で声優も | work=Natalie | date=February 24, 2016 | access-date=September 21, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Under the Black Dress
| 2017 | Yui Nakame | Short film |
= Television=
= Radio =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"| Title !scope="col"| Year !scope="col"| Role !scope="col"| Network !scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}} | |
| scope="row"| Beautiful Harmony
| 2013–17 | DJ/Co-host | FM802 |
|---|
| scope="row"| Dream Ami's Happy-Go-Lucky☆
| 2018– | Host | JFN | |
= Web shows =
= Runways =
= Commercials =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Ref. |
| 2015
|Bandai Karaoke Ranking Party |
| 2016 –
|Bourbon Delicious Coconut Milk |
| 2016–2017
|Kenei Pharmaceutical Hand Pica Gel | |
= Advertisements =
= Music videos =
Other work
- Sanrio Dream Ami × Little Twin Stars (2019){{Cite web|url=http://ami-ldh.jp/index.php?a=news_detail&id=1076139|title=Dream AmiとLittle Twin Starsのコラボが決定！|website=Dream Ami|language=ja|access-date=April 4, 2020}}
- Sanrio Puroland PURO WHITE CHRISTMAS – Ambassador (2019){{Cite web|url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000223.000007643.html|title=【「PURO WHITE CHRISTMAS」先行体験会開催レポート】Dream Amiさんが"クリスマス"をイメージした衣装で登場 Amiさんの合図でサンリオピューロランドに輝く雪が！|website=プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES|date=November 7, 2019 |access-date=April 4, 2020}}
= Style book =
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://ami-ldh.jp}} {{in lang|ja}}
{{Dream (Japanese band)}}
{{E-girls}}
{{LDH (company)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ami, Dream}}
Category:21st-century Japanese women singers
Category:21st-century Japanese singers
Category:Dream (Japanese group)
Category:LDH (company) artists
Category:Japanese women pop singers
Category:Japanese female dancers
Category:Japanese female models