Takahashi Ai (高橋愛)
Age:
21
Birthdate:
September 14th, 1986
Birthplace:
Fukui prefecture, Japan
Bloodtype:
A
Height:
153 cm (5' 0")
Education:
High School

Ai Takahashi is a Japanese pop Idol. She is the leader of an all-female pop idol group Morning Musume. Morning Musume is the 'main' group of Hello! Project, which consists of several all-female groups and solo artists, all produced by a man known as Tsunku.

Since joining Morning Musume, Ai has appeared in numerous TV shows, musicals and events. She has been featured in dozens of singles, albums and music videos. She has released several solo photobooks. The list goes on.
Ai joined the group at the age of 14 in 2001, along with Makoto Ogawa, Risa Niigaki and Asami Konno. They beat around 25000 other wanna-be pop starlets in the 5th generation auditions. Ai is now one of the more prominently featured members of Morning Musume. She has been a lead vocalist in numerous Hello! Project songs. She is considered to be one of the front-girls and technically stronger performers of Morning Musume, and is currently the leader of the group.

Her characteristics and features people know her by include: a (now-fading) Fukui dialect and accent, ballet & choral girl background, interests in some rather unorthodox things and a somewhat timid and quiet personality. She's kind, caring and modest, unpredictable, somewhat gullible, even spaced-out at times. The other girls do find her a little weird.

I recommend reading the interviews and Q&A's for some real insights and answers, but following is some miscellaneous info gathered and compiled from here and there, interviews, fansites, and so on.
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Nicknames:
- Aichan (or Ai-chan). The most common one.
- Airin. People insist on this but I don't think I've ever heard it outside of forums.
- Tettekete. This nickname was devised by the Utaban host Ishibashi because he thought Ai's Fukui accented speech resembled morse code.
- Lovely. Playing with the meaning of her name (Ai = Love). Her character's name on H!M news segments.
- Takitty. Likely an invention by the western fans, from the catsuit she wore in the Mini Moni movie.
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Hobbies & Interests:
- Classical ballet & Choral singing. These were her hobbies prior to joining Morning Musume and as such provided an excellent background for her chosen career. She is also able to read sheet music.
- Takarazuka. As a kid Ai dreamed of joining the all-female Takarazuka revue. She remains a fan.
- Learning English. She has demonstrated her abilities on occasion, notably some slang on Hello! Morning along with random sentences here and there. She seems interested in learning more.
- Drama & Theater. Ai has always been interested in stage plays. This is more supported by her recent trip to New York where she went to see four different Broadway shows with her mother.
- History. She has often talked about historical events and mentioned how she admires Japanese historical figures like Prince Nakano-Ooe.
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Family:
- Parents. Her parents got her when they were very young. They were both 18 by the time Ai was born. Like most young Japanese women, Ai still lives at home with her parents. Her mother's first name is Yoshimi.
- Siblings. She has a younger sister. (more?)
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Movies:
- The Matrix. Ai's old favourite.
- Coyote Ugly. A more recent mention.
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Music:
- RnB, Hip-hop, western music. Her favourite music styles.
- Mai Kuraki - Tsumetai Umi. Her audition song and a steady favourite.
- Morning Musume - Do It! Now. Her favourite Morning Musume song.
- Destiny's Child - Survivor. Her choice for a song that gives you strength while you're lonely at Matthew's BHTV in 2001.
- U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Evanescence. mentions on Young Town.
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Food:
- Sauce Katsudon. The Fukui specialty. Yum.
- Omelette Rice, Pizza, Cheese Cake. Other favourite food mentions.
- Strawberries. Likey likey. Mentions and hints everywhere.
- Eggplant, Mustard. Dislikes.
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Subjects:
- Science. The favourite school subject of any curious kitten.
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Colours:
- Rose red, black, white, grey, pink. Some of her favourite colours. She mentions that pink doesn't suit her though. I keep finding new mentions everywhere and I'm soon convinced she likes every colour. XD
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Book:
- The Harry Potter Series. Her favourite books.