MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2005

There are some perks to being married to someone in the media business. Not that I am bragging or anything. There are some really unfortunate downers as well, but one perk is that we often get free movie tickets. And about once a year, Yusuke's boss passes him some free tickets to a big event. Last year, we got to attend a sumo wrestling tournament. This year we had a chance to go the MTV Music Awards.

Japan does have its own version of MTV, and it is related to the American version, but of course there is a bit (understatement) of focus on Asian music as well. So, the 5 nominees in each category often consisted of American musicians as well as Japanese, Korean, or other Asian musicians.

It was a nice mixture as I got to see some of my favorite Japanese musicians, like Daichi Miura. He is a totally HOT hip hop singer/dancer. I am embarrassed to admit how old he is because I am a high school teacher, so let's just leave it at that. Crystal Kay also performed. She is a really talented singer - half black and half Japanese. She grew up in Japan, so her songs are mainly in Japanese, but when she puts a few English words in her songs - well, it's obvious that she is fluent in both languages. Also, a relatively new singer named AI was nominated in a couple categories, but she wasn't slated to perform, unfortunately. I really wanted to see her as her mom is a member of AFWJ.

As for American musicians who showed up and performed - Hoobastank, Jamiroquai, Ashanti, and...are you ready for this?...Mariah Carey! Who else can say they have ever seen her perform live?

Now, Korean musicians are in a category all of their own. One Korean musician performed, and I had never heard of him, but his name is P. I am not sure how to spell it in English, but in Japanese, it is just Pi (as in "I have to go pee.") He was so hot! I am telling you, this guy is the Korean version of the Michael Jackson from the 80's, only 10 times better! Wow! You would just have to see his talent for dancing and singing for yourself.

So, Yusuke and I were sitting in the section for people who are "related" to the MTV awards. Yusuke's company was a sponsor. Anyway, we had a great view of the celebrity section down below, which was fenced off, but fans could stand right behind the fence and stare at their favorite celebs all night. I was so amazed at how they manage the celebrity seating section. They bring them out separately so that the crowd can go crazy over each one. Then they move them around throughout the show depending on what's happening next, performance times, camera angles, etc. Once a celebrity's job is done, they get moved to the back of the section to make room for others who get moved up, or they get escorted out never to come back. It was so crazy! I don't think there was enough room for every celeb to sit in the section, so some never appeared except when they did their part on stage. Many stayed backstage, or perhaps they came to the awards only to do their part and then leave. Really weird stuff, but of course, as a bit of a celeb gossip, I am totally fascinated by this.

And one more thing... you know how it is so obvious when celebrities at award ceremonies are reading their lines? Well, have you ever seen their teleprompter? Well, in the case of the MTV Japan awards, the teleprompter was this absolutely huge screen at the back of the auditorium. EVERYONE and their brother could read the teleprompter at any time. And, when a celeb messed up their lines, they would just rewind it and let them try again. Again, weird how so very scripted these things are!