Can a foreigner become a japanese idol

[White hell]

Female idols are generally popular in japan, my question is it possible for a women who is non japanese to become an idol?

[Yoshio]

depends probably on how hot/cute you are, if you can speak japanese well enough to make it sound like you're cute, and if you can sing well

[predecessor]

its not too bad to become a popular foriegner in japan from what i hear. but once your in be prepared to be last weeks news very quickly. you'll come and go before you realize it. as with most idols in general

[White hell]

Are there any foreign idols?

[crow-kun]

Bob sapp and some other black guy. The ones i know.

[White hell]

Bob sapp and some other black guy. The ones i know.

Bobby olugun,ugh.

I mean't girls?

[fujyoshi]

Crystal Key to an extend. She's american and korean. I also heard Boa was korean too.

[Animematt55]

Really. Japanese practically invented stuff liek our American Idol. They have that stuff ALL the time over there.
Singers will come and go in a weeks time, and release one good CD and be done....

[cris]

Foreigner's of Japan can become idols, but I think generally the ones who can speak Japanese to a certain extent has a higher chance of becoming one. This falls in entertainment anywhere on the globe, but Japan tends to go more for looks over talent, at least compared to United States and U.K.

In Japan (and I think South Korea as well?), there are many more stars who rises but next thing you know, you never hear from them again (and its most likely because they got no talent, but had the looks... mostly gravure models from what I think).

[Animematt55]

In Japan (and I think South Korea as well?), there are many more stars who rises but next thing you know, you never hear from them again (and its most likely because they got no talent, but had the looks... mostly gravure models from what I think).
Like Brittney SPears....Or the Simpson girls.... :P

[Prons]

JApanese men are intimidated by White Women

[White hell]

JApanese men are intimidated by White Women

Where is that from, and if it's true how do they feel about kokujin females?

[cris]

I think for most part, compared to males and females of Japan, more males tend to like Japanese women more, while compared to their male counterpart, there are more Japanese women that like foreigners. The vast majority, like the rest of the world, still sticks to their own kind but this is just a comparing between male:female of Japan.

The intemedation of Japanese Men ==> Foriegn Females is probably due to physical size.

[Spadesy]

Good question.

Remember though, unlike America, Japan is one of those countries where you can scream about equal rights until you're blue in the face...but it won't matter, because part of the culture involves keeping outsiders, outside.

[tsuki no miko]

Hmm..unless that person speaks really good Japanese the chances are slim I guess.

But I heard there are some of Korean-Japanese entertainers out there who hide their nationality.

[Chousho]

Really. Japanese practically invented stuff liek our American Idol.
karaoke?
I also heard Boa was korean too.
Boa is something else that words can not say. She's put in alot of hard work, but I liked her better before she got all skinny. Oh, and yes, she is Korean.
The intemedation of Japanese Men ==> Foriegn Females is probably due to physical size.
Are you saying foreign females are fat? ;D
Good question.

Remember though, unlike America, Japan is one of those countries where you can scream about equal rights until you're blue in the face...but it won't matter, because part of the culture involves keeping outsiders, outside.
Unlike America? How many Asian actors are popular in USA that are not associated with martial arts? I do agree with the uchi soto thing, though. That can be discouraging until you just accept it. Non Japanese will never be accepted as being Japanese by all people, no matter how long or hard they live and work in Japan.

[windwalker]

You non Japanese think that generally the Japanese woman looks younger than any other races.
But Japanese guys never think so.Almst non asians looks too old for the Japanese.

I think now Hermione(Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson) get too old for the Japanese.

[fujyoshi]

I think for most part, compared to males and females of Japan, more males tend to like Japanese women more, while compared to their male counterpart, there are more Japanese women that like foreigners. The vast majority, like the rest of the world, still sticks to their own kind but this is just a comparing between male:female of Japan.

The intemedation of Japanese Men ==> Foriegn Females is probably due to physical size.

O_o I think most men would be intiminated by a woman whos taller then them....

[Mika-chan]

The best example of famous non-Japanese would be BoA and Wada Akiko (though I think many people do not know that she`s Korean). Crystal Kay would count too. Inrin of JOYTOY is a Chinese girl who`s made a name for herself in Japan with ero-videos (but not actual porn I believe). She`s released some singles in Japan. Her music isn`t well know, but she would probably be considered an "idol" the same way pin-up girls/photobook girls are considered "aidoru" (idols). Both Tata Young and Sweetbox have aren`t super popular, but they have a decent fanbase (and I think all their music is in English...I forgot where Tata Young is from).

O_o I think most men would be intiminated by a woman whos taller then them....

LOL. I`m a 6'0" female and trust me, there are a lot of shorter men who have "tall girl" fetishes. There are quite a few men who have no probs talking with taller women.

As for Japan, from my experience, men are often more intimidated because they can`t speak English (Of course every foreign in Japan isn`t not necessary an English speaker). I used to think men wouldn`t talk to be because of my height, but I`ve have men just roll up on my and start a conversation. And speaking Japanese helps too.

[Chousho]

You non Japanese think that generally the Japanese woman looks younger than any other races.
But Japanese guys never think so.Almst non asians looks too old for the Japanese.

I think now Hermione(Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson) get too old for the Japanese.
Really? She is only 16 and considered too old, or is it appearance as well that determines more?

I think it is because in America we tend to... hold onto the people longer? For instance, Britney Spears is still somewhat popular, if even just for laughs now. We tend to stay with the ones we grew up with, and the younger people below us have their own stars.

[Spadesy]

Unlike America? How many Asian actors are popular in USA that are not associated with martial arts?

Several. Margaret Cho, George Takei, Tamlyn Tomita, Patti Yasutake, Rosalind Chao to name a few...although I don't understand why you choose to exclude the "martial arts" category.

The point was that in America, you can contact authorities or somebody in the societal heirarchy if there was a case of racial discrimination in an establishment.

In Japan (Okinawa namely), a lot of establishment owners give you the big "two-armed-'No Gaijin'-X" meaning you can't come in because you're not Japanese. And that's understandable, considering how homogenous the population of Japan is racially.

What are you trying to say? That there's equal racism in America and Japan? There isn't.

[Chousho]

Several. Margaret Cho, George Takei, Tamlyn Tomita, Patti Yasutake, Rosalind Chao to name a few...although I don't understand why you choose to exclude the "martial arts" category.

The point was that in America, you can contact authorities or somebody in the societal heirarchy if there was a case of racial discrimination in an establishment.

In Japan (Okinawa namely), a lot of establishment owners give you the big "two-armed-'No Gaijin'-X" meaning you can't come in because you're not Japanese. And that's understandable, considering how homogenous the population of Japan is racially.

What are you trying to say? That there's equal racism in America and Japan? There isn't.
Nope, I wasn't saying that, because there will never be a way to have either comparable. There is too great a difference for something like racism to be equal in America and Japan. USA is a melting pot, so...

What I was saying, however, is that because we are more of a European (and African) stock, that is who we normally see in such fields as popular actors.
While the people you mentioned are actors, they are not exactly the stars of the show. Yes, All American Girl (or whatever the title was) featured a show starring people from Asian descent, but how well received was it? How many music stars have somebody from Asian descent as a star, not just doing backup? Sure, names can be given, but in comparison to the whole, it's such a small few. Why did I exclude martial arts? I think it's pretty self explanatory.

[cris]

Well the thing with like Crystal Kay and BoA, they can speak the language and understand it enough to livein the country (BoA studied really hard to learn Japanese btw....which got her the Japanese debut).

You can also kind of say the same thing about m-flo's Tak and Verbal, including the former m-flo singer Lisa. They aren't Japanese-Japanese, if you know what I mean.

[MIKE123]

Well the thing with like Crystal Kay and BoA, they can speak the language and understand it enough to livein the country (BoA studied really hard to learn Japanese btw....which got her the Japanese debut).

You can also kind of say the same thing about m-flo's Tak and Verbal, including the former m-flo singer Lisa. They aren't Japanese-Japanese, if you know what I mean.

Well, of course you have to be able to understand and speak Japanese to even think of trying to become an idol in Japan, especially if you want to sing. If you want to model and become a "modelling idol"..not sure lol?

I'm not sure if anyone here has heard of this band, but Monkey Majik is gaining popularity in Japan for having two Canadian members, and two Japanese members. They also combine Japanese and English into their songs, since English in Japanese songs is a growing popularity among teens there.

By the way the two Canadians are both singers, one sings the Japanese parts, the other sings the English parts(you can guess which one is fluent, and both play guitar). The two Japanese guys play bass guitar, and drums. They aren't neccessarily "idols", but I'm telling you that you can make it in the Japanese entertainment industry, even if you are not of Japanese decent. Just like in America or anywhere else, you need talent and luck.

[cris]

Why can't I talk to Mika-chan TwT cries

I heard of M.M., but have never heard their works. If you have sample links, post em so I can listen =-)

[windwalker]

Really? She is only 16 and considered too old, or is it appearance as well that determines more?

I think it is because in America we tend to... hold onto the people longer? For instance, Britney Spears is still somewhat popular, if even just for laughs now. We tend to stay with the ones we grew up with, and the younger people below us have their own stars.

She is not old, but she looks 20 years old for theJapanese.

[Mika-chan]

Mokey Majik mostly got their fame throught the Saiyuki drama tie-in (the did the ending song for it). They pretty popular after that.

Another good example of popular foreign male groups would be Def Tech. The duo consists of a white guy (I can`t remember where he was born, but I think he was raised in Hawaii) and (I think) a Hawaiian born Japanese. They rap in Japanese and English and have a large fanbase as well.

As for m-flo, Verbal is a (Japan-born) Korean, and Lisa ia Japanese/Columbian. Taku is plain old Japanese. They were all born and raised in Japan (like Crystal Kay), but went to international schools and lived abroad.

[m_fugue]

http://www.sunmusic.org/becky/img/becky01.jpg Becky (http://www.sunmusic.org/becky/) (U.S.-Japan half)

http://jasmine.jstarpro.com/img/DSC_0010.jpg Jasmine (http://jasmine.jstarpro.com/profile.html) (U.S.)

http://www.ezaki-glico.net/chara/timeslipglicocd/images/tsg_cd_006.gif Agnes Chan (Hong Kon/China)

http://millennial-fair.com/entertain/music/images/boa.jpg Boa (Korea)

http://www.toysfactory.co.jp/sonim/images/sonim.jpg Sonim (http://www.harmonypromotion.co.jp/sonim.html) (Korea (born in Japan))

[m_fugue]

http://www.cafeglobe.com/news/interview3/images/010p1.jpg Yinling of Joytoy (http://www.mostsexy.net/) (Taiwan)

http://www.oscarpro.co.jp/profile/risa/icon/risa.jpg Risa Stegmayer (http://www.oscarpro.co.jp/profile/risa/) (U.S.-Japan half)

http://www.horipro.co.jp/talent/PF080/image/photo_80.jpg Chén Qū (http://www.horipro.co.jp/talent/PF080/) (China)

http://homepage3.nifty.com/coleten/n2257.jpg Agnes Lum (Hawaii/U.S.)

[m_fugue]

What are you trying to say? That there's equal racism in America and Japan? There isn't.
At least you don't get mob-lynched to death in Japan just because you are wrong color or homosexual.

[hiroaki]

Mixed is political correctness than half

Gaijin tarento (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaijin_tarento)

[cris]

I think Verbal said his native language isn't Japanese before, at least to my memories.

[sailornyanko]

I wonder how popular is the mexican pop group Rebelde (or RBD for short) in Japan. I know that their soap opera showed in asia with at least a good success in Israel. I've heard some mexican soaps are pretty popular in japan and some of these juvenile soaps have pop songs sung by the cast of the show (obviously this account for Rebelde).

[Sakura flood]

Hi Guys

Mil Mascaras is a huge idol in japan and he is loved by the fans there but seemingly he is not a very nice person but he is hugely admired there.:)

David

[sailornyanko]

Mil masacaras.. is that a wrestler?

[firstpressing]

Yep, a luchadore notoriously known for being a "no-seller". His prime was back in the 70s.

[Sakura flood]

Hi Again Guys

Yeah Mil Mascaras is a wrestler from mexico who once went into a wrestling store in tokyo and because the owner of the store was said to be selling mil masks without mil mascaras permission Mascaras tore up all the masks in the store and then left without saying a word. Also at a Lucha show in Los angeles a fan came up to Mil mascaras and asked him to sign his Mil poster Mil mascaras then said something along the lines of "thats an unauthorized poster" then mil ripped it up and threw it in the faces face. There was another time when a japanese fan had waited hours to see Mil Mascaras and Mil mascaras was very rude to this fan and the fan burst into tears but according to Vampiro in his shoot interview Mil's brother Dos Caras is a really nice guy and in my opinon a much better wrestler.:)

[Ken-Ohki]

Dunno if she qualifies as an idol or not but there is Australian born Donna Burke, she sings and is the english voice on the Shinkansen as well as the voice of Raising Heart from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

[Kyla07]

Apparently Paris Hilton is so popular in Japan that she got her own Hello Kitty doll, made to look like her, with blond hair and a Tinkerbell in one arm.

Freaky if you ask me.