Ayumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki injures hand; in doubt for Red and White Singing Contest

Saturday 27th December, 11:59 AM JST

TOKYO —

Singer Ayumi Hamasaki, 30, has injured her right hand, and with only four days to go until NHK’s Red and White Singing Contest, she is in a race against time to recover and take to the stage to lead off the New Year’s Eve show. NHK announced Friday the order of songs for New Year’s Eve, and it would be the first time in the show’s history if the opening artist were to be unable to perform.

According to her agency Avex Group, Hamasaki fell down the stairs at her apartment on Wednesday and injured her right hand. Staff took her to hospital where she received medical attention, and on Thursday she underwent surgery. Hamasaki later had to cancel her live performance at TV Asahi’s “Music Station Super Live 2008” on Friday night. Her doctors say the injury will take three weeks to heal, and her fall was caused by anemia exacerbated by fatigue.

Hamasaki wrote on her blog: “I can’t even hold a microphone. I’m really upset and truly sorry I couldn’t make it to ‘Music Station.’” In addition to the Red and White Singing Contest, she is scheduled to perform on the 30th and 31st at Yoyogi National Stadium. “I just have to believe in my strength, and hope my body can heal before then,” she wrote.

Shin Ishihara, chief producer of the Red and White Singing Contest, said: “We wanted to open the show in a certain style and Hamasaki was going to do that for us. But now we’ll have to wait and see.”

Rehearsals will be held on Monday, where it will become clear if Hamasaki will open the New Year’s Eve show as scheduled.

Latest 15 of 35 Total Comments Show All

buttamimi at 06:36 AM JST - 28th December

OMG! It's the end of the world. Hope someone lends her hand, poor girl.
PepinGalarga at 09:14 AM JST - 28th December

did she really fall down the stairs???
Bogi at 11:13 AM JST - 28th December

She will show up and be the focus of attention for being so brave.

Good job agency!
Nessie at 04:17 PM JST - 28th December

Hamasaki wrote on her blog: “I can’t even hold a microphone.

She can write on a blog with the other hand, but she can't hold a mic with that hand?
bamboohat at 12:44 AM JST - 29th December

her fall was caused by anemia exacerbated by fatigue

sounds like she was fasting in order to get into a dress.
Skywards at 08:49 AM JST - 29th December

Anemia + fatigue = fall? Someone should look into diet (iron-rich foods or snacks for long days), workload (enough sleep/recovery time?) and wardrobe (unreasonable heel heights on footwear) as probable contributors to the fall. Recovery is going to hurt.
scoobydoo at 02:37 PM JST - 29th December

Personally I don't like her songs, I think they are all rip offs of Gywen Steffani, Madona......(long list) not to mention that like most J Pop they sing to canned music recorded by pro musos rather than having a real band of their own. Bottom line, I won't miss her songs but its not nice that people get hurt in any case so I hope she gets well soon.
bobbafett at 07:57 PM JST - 29th December

I wonder what is Hamazakis problem...the buttons to activate her studio singing voice are probably on the microphone.
rosebuds at 04:57 AM JST - 30th December

It doesn't matter if you like her or not, some of these comments are really unnecessary.. she fell down a flight of stairs guys. Keep in mind that it's not just her hand that's hurt, her body probably aches too. Is it really that difficult to have a LITTLE sympathy for a human being that's injured? It really amazes me how cruel people can be.
allicatakarano at 09:21 AM JST - 30th December

I agree with rosebuds. Some of these comments are shameful and disrespectful. I don't care who you are or whether you like her or not, for people to be enjoying another's pain, that is just sad. You people need to get a life. She fell down the stairs people, it's not just a hand injury. It's amazing that she is actually going to try the concert. Yes, I like her, I'm not a crazy fan, but I do like her and her music. I bet if some of you were in her shoes and in pain, that you would chicken out and not do the concert. So, show some respect, whether you like her or not.
Jericho8 at 03:05 PM JST - 30th December

Drama queen, wrists are not needed for singing. This is just a lame excuse not to sing, something sounds fishy about this whole episode.
Redhots at 06:45 AM JST - 31st December

I've only been on this site a day and some of these comments are making my eyes bleed. I am no fan of Ayumi but give me a break. Some of you are being so rude, I can only guess she stomped your dog to death or stole your lollipop out of your hand. Am I right?
Sarge at 09:49 PM JST - 31st December

Ayumi was great tonight!
Betting at 05:35 PM JST - 1st January

Sarge, are you serious? That black pants outfit she was wearing after she ripped off the dress was so ... bleh.
saruwatari at 04:52 AM JST - 7th January

It was very unfortunate that ayumi had fallen down the stairs of her apartment, but its not her fault. Anything could of happened, even worse she could of broke her arm, or ribs. Its not nice to have to go into hospital, im not sure anyone acctualy enjoys it.

Also she was working very hard at that moment preparing for her 3 hour count down live tour, and because she has got older im sure it was much harder for her to do, plus the strain on her ear. Im thankful she has continued because a lot of people still like her today, and enjoy her music.

But you also have to think, what happens behind closed doors, many fans of ayu would of known she looks forward to performing to her fans, other wise she wouldn't perform, she could of been able to participate in the contest, but who knows? avex might have forced her not to go for the good of the organization..no one knows until its official.

Some of these comments i've read, thanks for sharing your opintions but to be honest, be adult and don't say harsh things about people.