Chiemi Amako (尼子 智栄美, Amako Chiemi, née Hori (堀), born February 15, 1967, in Higashi-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan),[1] better known as Chiemi Hori (堀 ちえみ, Hori Chiemi), is a Japanese singer, actress, and entertainer represented by Horipro, and later Shochiku Geino. Her stage name is a hiragana version (ちえみ) of her given name written in kanji (智栄美), also pronounced Chiemi.
Chiemi Hori 堀 ちえみ | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | 堀ちえみ (Hori Chiemi) |
| Also known as | 尼子 智栄美 (Amako Chiemi, married name) |
| Born | February 15, 1967 Higashi-ku, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan |
| Occupations | Singer, actress, entertainer |
| Years active |
|
| Labels |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Katsuki Amako (m. 2011) |
Career edit
Chiemi Hori debuted in 1982, when she was only 14 years old. She steadily gained popularity and was tipped to be one of the most recognised idols in 1984 after producing a string of top 5 hits and starring in a few well-received dramas. In the same year, she was selected to perform in the NHK Red and White Song Festival - a prestigious annual year end programme. However, an exhausted Hori eventually got burnt out, forcing her to quit show business in 1987, at the age of only 20.
Hori returned in late 1989, but could no longer match her earlier success. From mid 1990s, she began to host TV programmes catered to housewives, and did some acting.
In 2005, Hori, along with Iyo Matsumoto and Yu Hayami(all of whom debuted in 1982), formed the unit Cutie☆Mommy. They released a para para version of the Mickey Mouse March, which had significant success (ranking 72nd on the Oricon charts).[2] The song was featured in the Just Dance Wii 2 game for the Wii, and was also used on segments on the Disney Channel in the US.[3] Hori left the unit in 2007, due to her relocating to the Kansai region.
Illness and recovery edit
In February 2019, Hori announced that she has stage 4 tongue cancer and tumors on the lymph nodes on the left side of her neck. She underwent surgery to have the tumors and half of her tongue removed.[4] The surgery was successful after two surgeries throughout the month of March. However, she announced the following month that during one of her follow-up appointments, she was diagnosed with stage 1 esophageal cancer.[5][6] Following an additional round of surgery, her esophageal cancer was declared in remission (stage 0) by the end of the month.[7]
On October 21, 2019, Hori released a biography entitled "Stage For ~ Tongue Cancer: From Stage 4 to the Stage of Hope" (Stage For〜舌がん『ステージ4』から希望のステージへ) , documenting her battle with cancer.[8] The following month on November 3, she made her first public appearance post-surgery to promote the book. During this appearance, it was revealed that due to the extensive oral surgeries, her speech had become very heavily impeded (and she proceeded to apologize for her slurred speech)[9] but also announced that she plans to undergo extensive speech therapy and voice lessons with a goal to be well enough to perform for her 40th Anniversary in 2022.[10]
In January 2020, Hori made a full-scale return to the entertainment industry, making television appearances. Through her blog (and later via her Instagram account, which she opened in August 2022), she provided updates on her voice lessons and speech therapy.[11] However, she was not satisfied enough with her progress to hold her 40th Anniversary Concert in 2022 as hoped.
Nevertheless, she continued to upload videos of her singing her singles with her home karaoke machine on Instagram, documenting her improvement. These videos received positive feedback, thus encouraging her to change her decision and have a 41st Anniversary Live Tour instead ("40th plus 1 Anniversary", as titled) as a way of showing gratitude to the fans who encouraged her to keep singing.[12] The tour began in February 2023 and continued throughout the year, making various performances throughout Japan.[13][14]
On February 27, 2024, Hori announced on her blog and social media that her tongue cancer was declared to be in complete remission, ending the five-year battle.[15][16]
On April 16, 2024, Hori made a post on Instagram announcing the upcoming release of her new single, the first new release after the effects of her oral surgeries, entitled "Fuwari".[17][18] The single will also include re-recorded versions of two of her fan favorite songs: "Ri・Bo・N" (her best-selling single from 1985) and "Lai Lai Lai" (the B-side of her 1984 single "Shiroi Handkerchief").
Family edit
Hori has been married three times. In 1989, she married her first husband (a physician based in Osaka), who fathered her three sons (born in 1990, 1992 and 1993 respectively). They divorced in 1999.
In May 2000, she married her second husband (a magazine company employee). He was the father of her fourth son (born 2000) and her eldest daughter (born 2002). That marriage also ended in divorce in June 2010.[19]
On December 11, 2011, she wedded Katsuki Amako (operating officer of SANKYO)[20][21] at a ceremony held at Meiji-Jingu Shrine.[22][23] This marriage was also noteworthy for the fact that in addition to the five biological children from her first two marriages, she also became the stepmother of the two children from her husband's previous marriage.[24]
Filmography edit
TV series edit
Regular appearances
| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chi-chin Puipui | MBS | Thursday appearances | |
| Shittoko! | MBS | Irregular guest appearances | |
| Kiyoshi Nishikawa no go Endesu! | THK | Irregular guest appearances | |
| 1993 | Tsūkai! Everyday | KTV | Friday appearances |
| 2000 | Kon'ya mo anata no Partner | NHK E | |
| 2003 | Oshare Kōbō | NHK E | |
| 2008 | Shūmatsu no Tanken-ka Yume Rashinban | ABC | Saturday appearances |
| 2009 | That's a Dramatic Change! Season II | ABC | |
| Omoikkiri Don! | NTV | ||
| 2010 | Shiritagari! | Fuji TV |
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Quiz! Hexagon II | Fuji TV | Quasi-regular appearances |
| 2008 | Chiemi Hori 25-shūnen! Star to Gourmet de Dai Kansha-sai | KTV | |
| Variety Seikatsu Shouhyakka | NHK G | ||
| 2011 | Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! | NTV |
Dramas edit
| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Mechanko Mickey | Mizuki Hanamura (Mickey) | TBS | Lead role |
| 1983 | Stewarddess Monogatari | Chiaki Matsumoto | TBS | Lead role |
| 1984 | Uchi no Ko ni Kagitte... | TBS | Episode 2; Special appearance | |
| Abare Kyūan | Oshino | KTV | Episode 8 | |
| 1985 | Star Tanjō | Junko Kaga | Fuji TV | Lead role |
| 1986 | Kazoku Hakkei | Fuji TV | ||
| Hanayome Ishō wa Dare ga Kiru | Chiyo Yukimura | Fuji TV | Lead role | |
| Mito Kōmon | Ohana | TBS | Part 16, Episode 25 | |
| 1997 | Amakara Shan | Saki Shimizu | NHK | |
| 2001 | Minami no Teiō | |||
| 2003 | Teru Teru Kazoku | Setsuko Anzai | NHK G | |
| 2010 | Flunk Punk Rumble | Sei Shinagawa | TBS |
Former TV appearances edit
| Year | Title | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Parinko Gakuen No.1 | TBS | |
| 1985 | Drift Bakushō | Fuji TV | |
| 1986 | Ken Shimura no Shitsurei Shi Masu! | NTV |
Films edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Sound of Waves | ||
| 2009 | Iro Soku ze ne Reishon | ||
| 2010 | Seikazoku Yamato-ji | ||
| 2012 | Eiga Yōkai Ningen Bemu | Naoko Natsume |
Books edit
| Year | Title | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Stage For ~ Zetsugan "Stage 4" kara Kibou no Stage e | Fusosha Publishing | Autobiography |
References edit
- ^ "堀 ちえみ" (in Japanese). Shochiku Geino. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "キューティー★マミーの作品". ORICON NEWS. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ 株式会社インプレス (2012-07-19). "任天堂、Wii「JUST DANCE Wii」の第2弾を発売 ノって踊れる新たな35曲を収録した「JUST DANCE Wii 2」". GAME Watch (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "TV personality Chiemi Hori announces advanced-stage cancer diagnosis and vows not to 'lose this battle'". The Japan Times. February 19, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- ^ "堀ちえみ、食道がんを公表 ステージ１、あす手術へ/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ『病室にて』". 堀ちえみオフィシャルブログ「hori-day」Powered by Ameba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ、食道がんはステージ０の初期癌「ホッとして思わず涙が溢れました」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2019-05-02. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ『書籍出版のお知らせです』". 堀ちえみオフィシャルブログ「hori-day」Powered by Ameba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ 舌がん手術後初めての公の場「拍手に感無量」…挨拶は代読してもらう/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ音域伸びた「口の中のいろんな部分使って」専門家ボイトレ月１実施 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ (@horichiemiofficial) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ、舌がん乗り越え社会復帰に涙「人生捨てたもんじゃない」 記者ももらい泣き". ORICON NEWS. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみデビュー40周年記念ライブ『Chiemi Hori 40thプラス１ Anniversary Live ～ちえみちゃん祭り2023～』の開催が決定。 ｜松竹芸能株式会社". 松竹芸能株式会社 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみデビュー40周年記念公演『Chiemi Hori 40th＋1 Anniversary Live ～ちえみちゃん祭り2023～』名古屋公演、福井公演開催！ ｜松竹芸能株式会社". 松竹芸能株式会社 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "堀ちえみ、舌がん完治「涙が止まりません」「この5年もの長い期間、心より御礼」と感謝つづる：中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ". 中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Home | CHIEMI HORI". 堀ちえみ オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "堀ちえみ離婚「２回目もダメ情けない」" [Chiemi Hori's divorce: "The second time won't work either, it's pathetic"]. The Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 2010-06-13. Archived from the original on 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Notice concerning Personnel Changes" (PDF). Sankyo. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "無実を晴らして億単位の金を手にした堀ちえみの夫 昨年パチンコメーカーの取締役を解任".
- ^ "堀ちえみ"三度目の正直"婚！挙式、入籍を報告 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "堀ちえみ「銀座久兵衛」で息子の就職祝い 安倍元首相＆オバマ元大統領が会談した名店/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "再々婚発表の堀ちえみ 互いの連れ子2人ずつと6人暮らし" (in Japanese). News-Post Seven. October 21, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
External links edit
- Official profile (in Japanese)
- Official website (in Japanese)