[JAPAN][WAI WAI] Ex-Morning Musume star Ai Kago blazing a trail back to top (using a cigarette lighter)

April 18, 2008 by Dennis Amith

In the latest Wai Wai translated from an article from “Asahi Geinou”, “Sacked in disgrace for being caught smoking while underage — only cigarettes, mind you — fallen idol Ai Kago stunned Japan’s entertainment world watchers with a revealing interview announcing her comeback, and Asahi Geino (4/24) says that’s not all she might be about to reveal.”

“Kago’s talent agency fired her in spring last year when the paparazzi caught her on camera for the third time as she puffed away on a cigarette, even though she hadn’t reached the legal age for smoking of 20.”

“Fickle though it seems compared to the antics of some young stars in Hollywood, that’s the reality facing young celebrities in Japan’s hypersensitive entertainment world, where image is absolutely everything.”