Namie Amuro's relationship with agency sours

6 Aug - For those who are wondering about her absence in the annual "Kohaku Uta Gassen" event in recent years, Japanese pop queen Namie Amuro revealed the reason why, which was caused by her soured relationship with her agency, according to JPopAsia.

Contrary to common speculation that it was due to Namie's bad relationship with the singing competition's broadcaster, NHK, she revealed in an interview with fashion magazine "Tokyo Numero" that it was actually Namie's agency that did not make an effort to get her onto the show when she was at the height of her popularity.

Namie revealed that she was mad about her agency for that and decided not to participate in the annual singing event ever since.

As a result of the fallout, her relationship with her agency became cold and it was believed that this had inspired the 35-year-old to become the popular singer that she is today, despite many who criticised her for being too old, and told her that her popular days are gone.

"When I was growing up, there were not many people who praised me. When people say I will soon be done in the entertainment industry, it spurred me on to work even harder. But when I do get praised, it makes me somehow feel lost," the interview quoted.