Yuri Ebihara appears at a Shanghai department store on Sunday.
SANKEI PHOTO

Ebi-chan denies rumors of affair; says she has no boyfriend

Monday 22nd September, 11:10 AM JST

SHANGHAI —

Popular model Yuri Ebihara, in Shanghai Sunday to promote her line of “fing MOTESTO” stockings, insisted the rumors that she is having an affair with basketball player Kei Igarashi, are not true. “That was my twin sister,” she said of the person seen at a basketball game in which Igarashi was playing. “Not me.” As far as she is concerned, Igarashi is just “an acquaintance.”

Ebihara, 28, popularly known as “Ebi-chan,” said she first met Igarashi, also 28, at a dinner party in 2006. “I’ve seen him no more than once this year.” Her married twin sister Eri, who has also appeared on TV and in magazines, looks enough like Ebi-chan to be mistaken for her.

“Honestly, I don’t even have a boyfriend,” said Yuri. “I do want to marry the next guy I go with though,” she added with a wry smile.

However flat her personal life might be, professionally she’s doing just fine. Shanghai’s biggest department store was thronged with 3,000 people who came by on Sunday to see her. It’s the latest segment of Ebihara’s Asian fashion push that began in Taipei in July.

Wire reports

Latest 15 of 28 Total Comments Show All

saitamakid at 04:34 PM JST - 22nd September

SO if it was her twin sister who was seen in the basketball game, then, does that mean that her "married" twin sister was having an affair with Kei Igarashi? The article is so vague!!!
The reason why Ebi-chan was linked to K. Igarashi was because she was allegedly spotted watching his basketball game... and the alibi now is... it was her twin sister who was watching! Connect the dots!!!
norinrad21 at 07:24 PM JST - 22nd September

suspicious knees
badge123 at 07:57 PM JST - 22nd September

If she's single how can she be denying an Affair?? Makes no sense. In fact all she is saying is that her MARRIED sister might be having an affair?
stanoue at 08:24 PM JST - 22nd September

Kei Igarashii is cute. He looks like he is straight out of a bball anime actually. And I've seen him run rings around some of the tall players from other countries. Go Ebi-chan if true.
plasticmonkey at 08:28 PM JST - 22nd September

Prawn girl is going down the proverbial prawn toilet.
kenchan at 12:33 AM JST - 23rd September

eibi-chan's response is clearly drafted by her PR/Manager and probably the original photo of this supposed "relationship/affair" was initiated by the same people to give her some press for her china trip.
Richard_the_First at 12:42 AM JST - 23rd September

I'd wear her stockings.
Badsey at 01:48 AM JST - 23rd September

Ebi-chan is legally correct:

She is not responsible for Ebi-Clone behavior. In a case like this there should be an apology or just buy the stockings and make Ebi-Happy.

Ebi-Burger stockings. Ebi-TrillionDollar stockings (popular with the U.S.)
DenshaDeGO at 07:45 AM JST - 23rd September

Her married twin sister Eri, ... , looks enough like Ebi-chan to be mistaken for her.

Wow, twins that can be mistaken for each other. Never seen that before.
franz75 at 02:31 PM JST - 23rd September

my definition of "news" is outdated...
soldave at 09:24 AM JST - 24th September

badge123 - it's because of the great reporting and news-writing. You're right - it makes no sense at all.
Richard_the_First at 09:28 AM JST - 24th September

Incredible that celebs are not 'allowed' lovers and must deny them in public.
Nessie at 03:30 PM JST - 24th September

No boyfriend. Curiously silent on the girfriend front, tho.
nikoniko at 01:25 AM JST - 6th October

Richard ahaha you would? you fing thats a good idea? ^.~
MikeBarrymore at 01:32 AM JST - 6th October

They're awight! I'd wear them around the house or garden.

Probably best to take them out if i fancy a paddle in my pool though.