Ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago plans comeback after smoking scandal, suicide attempt

Monday 07th April, 03:40 PM JST

TOKYO —

Ai Kago, 20, a former member of the pop idol group Morning Musume, who was fired by her agent for underage smoking in 2006, told gossip reporter Masaru Nashimoto that she is planning to resume her activities as an actress this year.

In an interview for Nashimoto’s website, Kago said, “I was 17 at that time (when I was caught smoking the first time). I wasn’t a sensible person at all. But time has passed and I turned 20 in February. I need to talk about it this time.”

Asked about her boyfriend, who was 18 years older than her when they were dating at that time, and who was photographed together with her in a car, she said, “On the day I was photographed smoking in his car with him, my parents got divorced. Because I was depressed, he took me out. He always told me not to smoke but I couldn’t help it because I was stressed out a lot at that time.”

Kago also said she tried to commit suicide by cutting her wrists after being fired by her agency.

Kago said she has been taking English, voice and dance lessons to return back to showbiz as an actress. She also said she plans to publish an autobiography.

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Latest 15 of 17 Total Comments Show All

romulus3 at 05:47 PM JST - 7th April

smoking scandal? oh dear. that is nothing compared to the antics of cocaine sniffing Hollywood delinquents. why give a damn?
fireant at 08:40 PM JST - 7th April

I doubt if any singers except SMAP make money in the music business in Japan much less members of a girl-group that change on a daily basis. But imagine, writing your autobiography at 20. Twenty! Not many actresses (Drew Berrymore, maybe, but she did more than smoke a cigarette by the time she was 18) or singers can do that.
DXXJP at 09:37 PM JST - 7th April

All she needs is a britney complex, show them hoho's and she'll be right back on top.

And of course crapp makes money you cant turn on the tube and not see one of them on something.
Sarge at 11:07 PM JST - 7th April

"I turned 20 in February"

I guess she can smoke to her lungs' content now.
usaexpat at 11:16 PM JST - 7th April

uh, fired for underage smoking? In the US I would assume any agent would be thrilled with a celebrity who was only smoking cigarettes. Good luck to her anyway, I hope she makes it.
thepro at 11:24 PM JST - 7th April

Yes, we really need more talento. Perhaps she can bring out a 'best of' album.
Patrick Smash at 11:35 PM JST - 7th April

Ninjazilla

What a wonderful post. Thank you for this and your many other sterling contributions. The rarity of a morning musume fan on Jt, well I never.
Sebarashii at 11:38 PM JST - 7th April

Apparently, the fact that she was 17 and had a 35 year-old boyfriend wasn't as much an issue.
Honne at 08:37 PM JST - 8th April

I don't think members of Morning Musume make much cash

Back when she was in Morning Musume, the top members at the time easily earned six figures in USD. Members who had plenty of photobook shoots usually earned the greatest amounts. I think Goto Maki pulled in over $450K one year before she went solo. If I remember, Kago was the family breadwinner. Considering how her folks seemed to be a tad bit screwed up and relied on her income, I doubt she has much of her earnings left.
NagoyaOya at 08:44 PM JST - 8th April

I see she's had her teeth fixed. Course now she looks just like every other cookie-cutter aidoru-talento. More grist to the geinou mill.
bobcatfish at 09:36 PM JST - 8th April

no crime in having a 35yo boyfriend
emimi at 01:21 AM JST - 10th April

She has matured both physically and mentally, and I am excited for her comeback. Kago performed wonderfully in her role in Brementown Musicians.

Nagoyaoya - Anything wrong with getting her teeth fixed? She might look like every other "aidoru-talento," but I'm sure it helps her properly chew her food.
kemiko at 08:59 AM JST - 10th April

Read between the sentences. [..Time has passed and I turned 20 in February. I need to talk about it this time… I have no skill or any normal job prospect. Can I come back to make money out of the married Ojisans who love little school girls? ].
nisegaijin at 09:42 AM JST - 10th April

is it legal for agency to fire her over smoking?
Ninjazilla at 01:15 PM JST - 10th April

I agree her teeth were cute..