MARI YAGUCHI

矢口真里

 

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Yaguchi Mari is a singer, actress, TV personality, and former idol. She was a second generation member of Morning Musume, as well as the creator and original leader of the subgroup Mini Moni. She was well-known for her "Sexy Beam!" line from Koi no Dance Site, as well as for being the smallest member of Morning Musume at only 145 cm (4 ft. 9 in.) and 39 kg (86 lbs.). She quickly became a fan favorite thanks to her exuberant and irreverent personality.

Yaguchi became the subleader of Morning Musume in May 2003 after the graduation of Yasuda Kei, and then she became the leader in January 2005 after the graduation of Iida Kaori.

In April 2005, Yaguchi suddenly quit Morning Musume after it was reported that she was in a relationship with actor Oguri Shun. She said she had "betrayed [her] position as an idol" and that she "want[ed] to move on with [her] career as an adult." Yaguchi and Oguri have since broken up.

Yaguchi has not released any new music recordings since leaving Morning Musume, although she continues to appear on television and at live events on behalf of Hello! Project. She also co-hosts two weekly TV shows of her own (Yaguchi Hitori and Kanrui! Jikuu Times), has starred in two dramas, and frequently guest stars on other variety shows.

This new focus on television prompted Yaguchi, during an interview with actor Hugh Jackman, to jokingly describe herself as a "variety idol". [1] Although she later regretted the joke ? because she has tried to distance herself from her idol image ? the nickname has stuck amongst her fans.

At the start of 2007, she has started to sing during Hello! Project concerts again.