Miki Fujimoto was born on February 26th, 1985 and had always dreamed of becoming an idol. So in 2000, she participated in Asayan TV's auditions to find new members for Morning Musume's fourth generation. Tsunku♂ did take notice of her talents, but she lost the audition to younger members Ai Kago and Tsuji Nozomi. She also participated in dream's first generation auditions, but she unfortunately didn't make that either.
In 2001, Tsunku♂ contacted her and proposed that she start a solo career after a year of "idol job training." Miki had also started a job as a receptionist in Hello! Project Agency at the same time. She accepted and was discretely integrated into Hello! Project.
In March 2002, she was finally given her shot at the idol life with her debut single Aenai nagai nichiyoubi, which sold around 43,000 copies. After her second single, Miki participated in the 2002 summer shuffle unit Odoru11. In September her third single, Romantic Ukare Mode, was released and became her best-selling single to date. With all this activity, Miki quickly began gathering fans. She was invited to participate in many TV shows where she was able to show off her sweet happy nature and great personality to all of Japan. Thus, Miki became the idol of 2002!
In November, she was integrated into the "popular solo artists" unit Gomatto alongside her rivals and friends Maki Goto and Aya Matsuura. The group released the single SHALL WE LOVE?, an R&B influenced song, and it became Hello! Project's best-selling release of the year. Miki drew even more attention to herself as she also released her fourth solo single at the same time. She also participated in the third FOLK SONGS compilation and accompanying concerts with Maki Goto and Yuuko Nakazawa.
On New Year's Day of 2003, Miki was invited to participate in the famous TV show "Kouhaku utagassen," which features the previous year's best selling artists. She gave a powerful and heartfelt performance and little did she know that her future was about to change.
Because of her outstanding performance, Tsunku♂ decided to suddenly integrate her in Morning Musume. Her first appearance within the group was as a special guest but then later as a permanent member. Miki's solo career was put on hold so she could fully dedicate herself to her "new" group. Before her induction, her fifth solo single and first full album, which sold over 100,000 copies, were released. She said "goodbye" to her fans with her first and last solo tour.
In June 2003, she officially became a member of Musume. with three other sixth generation members. Together, they would form the unit Otome-Gumi. Her first release with Musume. was the single Shabondama in July.
At the same time, Tsunku♂ also integrated Mikitty into Country Musume. with her comrade Asami Konno. The group's name changed to Country Musume. ni Konno to Fujimoto (Morning Musume。). They released three singles overall, with Miki as the lead vocals for the final two.
Miki made the occasional guest appearance on some TV shows and she held a one night-only private concert for her fans in 2005. When Mari Yaguchi retired as leader from Morning Musume, fans were shocked that Miki moved up the ranks to sub-leader instead of veteran Ai Takahashi.
The next year, Tsunku♂ surprisingly announced plans for a new band that would feature Miki and Aya Matsuura. This new group, named GAM, was more mature than some of other H!P groups and was thought to be "permanent." Their first single, Thank!, was released on September 13th, and was chosen as the ending theme for "Sukeban Deka IV." At the end of the year, Miki performed at the "57th Kouhaku utagassen" in a song melody with both GAM and Morning Musume.
In May 2007 Miki became the leader of Morning Musume, succeeding Hitomi Yoshizawa. The joy of this accomplishment was short-lived as, just weeks later, a devastating article from the gossip magazine Friday revealed she was secretly dating comedian Tomoharu Shoji. Showing admirable maturity, she confirmed the relationship and subsequently retired from Morning Musume on June 1st.
As was the case with Mari Yaguchi, she was allowed to stay onboard H!P, but her activities from that point on were very limited. Miki was absent from H!P’s 2007 annual summer concert as well as the winter and summer concerts the next year. GAM also never had another release after that year.
As if things weren’t bad enough for Miki at the end of 2007, another scandalous article was published this time from the gossip magazine Shuukan Shinchou. It was alleged that Miki’s brother had been extorting a large amount of money from one of his sister’s ex-boyfriends. None of these allegations were proven true. Miki filed a defamation lawsuit against the publication which she later won.
The next year, she released Okitegami, her first single since 2003’s Boogie Train. Miki also dedicated herself to performing in theatre productions of the period drama "Hakana" and later "Grease."
On March 24, 2009 Miki Fujimoto and Tomoharu Shoji announced their engagement. A week later, Miki graduated from H!P. The two were married in July, their ceremony took place in Hawaii.
Miki might not be making the headlines like she used to, but this 25 year old has accomplished more than most people twice her age. Through ups and downs, she’s always held steadfast to her lifelong dream. Although she might be enjoying the married life, fans everywhere won’t discount the idea of her returning to center stage once more.
