Yuna Ito (伊藤 由奈 Itō Yuna) is a rising new star in the Japanese pop music scene. She was born on September 20, 1983, in Hawaii and is a citizen of the United States. When she was 5 years old she became interested in Mariah Carey and soon learned to sing songs such as "Vision of Love" and "Daydream" (learning to use the full 7 octaves range in the process). She won a singing competition organized between 50 local Hawaiian schools and quickly became popular on the islands. She stayed in Hawaii until graduating from high school, after which she began to frequently travel to Japan (the birthplace of her father).
Yuna Ito | |
|---|---|
| File:Yunaito.jpg From Yuna Ito's current single, "Faith/Pureyes" | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Hawaii |
| Years active | 2005-present |
In Japan she had her "big break" and was selected to perform the part of the vocalist "Reira" in the movie NANA (based on the manga published by Shueisha). Her role in the film would catapult her into the spotlight and drive her debut single "Endless Story" to the number two position on the Oricon Chart and lead to it netting sales in excess of 360,000 copies and as the twentieth highest selling single of the Oricon 2005 year (note that this single is still in the top 30). "Endless Story" was also selected as the Best Love Song of 2005 by over 20,000 readers of Oricon Style. "ENDLESS STORY" has recently outsold her NANA co-star Mika Nakashima's "GLAMOROUS SKY".
Her new double a-side single, "Faith/Pureyes", will be released on March 1st. "Faith" will be used as the theme songs for the TV drama "Unfair" and "Pureyes" was featured in a CM for Bioclen contact lenses. Another new single has recently been announced for a May release. The title is "Precious" and will be the theme song for the movie "LIMIT OF LOVE". It's expected, but not confirmed, to be another ballad. It's also been rumored that her debut album will be out in July 2006.
Discography
Singles
- [2005.09.07] ENDLESS STORY - #2; 450,000 copies sold (still charting) released under REIRA starring YUNA ITO
- [2006.03.01] Faith / Pureyes - #6; 23,000 copies sold (still charting)
- [2006.05.03] Precious
Awards
- Best New Artist (Best Hit Kayousai 2005, 21.11.2005)
- Best New Artist (Japan Cable Awards 2005, 17.12.2005)
- Special Award for NANA (47th Japan Record Awards, 31.12.2005)
- Best New Artist (JAPAN GOLD DISC AWARDS 2006, 9.3.2006)
External links
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