“I like myself when I have an innocent/pure love because during this period, I try my hardest.” – Namie Amuro

C: Today’s photo session for Cawaii comes with a topic, which is: “when you’re in love,” does Namie have any secret for obtaining “LOVE & HAPPY”?
NA: We ladies must smile (it’s good)! My staff have told me, “Namie, smiling like this is good.” I’ve never paid attention but since then, every time I see a mirror, I always try to remember and smile (as they advised) (laughs).

C: Yes, previously, you said you were not comfortable smiling, but now you smile more often.
NA: Because everyone has been telling me that it’s cute (laughs)… but even if I don’t smile, my mouth is like this (where the corners normally points up – kind of a smile)

C: Yes, you’re right! This way is also cute!
NA: Don’t always have to smile because it’s naturally pointed up; it’s also good (laughs)

C: Today’s topic is about love, for Namie-chan, what kind of person do you think is good with love?
NA: It must be a person that is a good listener. Usually, I try to listen but after a while, when I start to disagree, I’ll end up saying directly “no, not like this”, which I think is not so good. For a real good listener, the person must listen all the way (until finish) and then say, “um that way is good but this way is….” I usually can’t wait until the end (laughs) but what’s important is that by being a singer, I don’t get to meet many guys!

C: Then, has love come your way/into your life?
NA: I’ve never been the type of person to initiate; there are times when opportunities to meet often do arise and people (around me) try to push me; this is how I met some guys initially. For me, even if we are not in a relationship, but as long as I have a person that I like; I’ll feel: “wow, I’m in love; it’s fun.”

C: Wait, that’s not love but more like one side love?
NA: (laughs) Right, isn’t it!? But for me, it’s also enough.

C: Have you been hurt by love?
NA: Of course, it came from thinking that it has to be like this (or a certain way). For example, because I have only him , I think it must be the same for him; so I didn’t worry about cheating etc. I use my feeling “that I like him” to be the basis and think that he must feel the same way as I do. Then after a while, when things are not going well and I realize it, it’s too late to fix the problems (laughs)

C: Is it too late to change the topic from “Learn love lessons from Namie” to “Tips on Love for Namie” (laughs)
NA: What are you saying? It’s too late! I learned from my lessons while in my 20’s.

C: Yes, that’s right. You had a surprise wedding when you were in your early 20’s, so in the case that your child grows up and comes to ask for love advice from you, what would you advise?
NA: Suppose if my daughter came to be and said, “I have three suitors and I can’t decide”; I would say, “Go on a date with out any makeup on.” I’m/think like this. Because if someone likes me for my work image, that’s not good. So if after such a date, there is no reply, it means that the person was about image and surface; so I would advise to break up. The most important thing is to find someone who can accept our true self; because if you resist in the beginning, in the end, you’ll get tired and the relationship wouldn’t work. But if you are with someone you respect, the chances are better. When there’s something about the person that you respect/like; it can make you endure through misunderstandings.

C: So to have the other person directly tell us what they like about us is important, right.
NA: When you have been together a while, you’ll discover the points, the bad ones too. But if you take care to nurture the similarities or things you share/like it really gives you something to talk about or develop. Especially if there are feelings of sincere/pure like, no matter how much time has passed, you’ll never forget such a pure love.

C: Namie-chan, you never had a love at first sight, right?
NA: No, actually – I do have lots (laughs) but mostly it’s “this person is wonderful” and I’ll get excited/nervous and all that

C: So what kind of guys do you think are “good guys”?
NA: Guys that are gentlemen, who places ladies first, like opening doors, have nice manners and are treat women well.

C: Have you learned any lessons from your disappointments?
NA: Don’t overdo it/do too much. I mean that we can not just over do it because the other side will feel overwhelmed. Before I liked guys who were older than me, who (I thought) would listen to me say, “ne, listen here”and I can just talked about my issues. But I realize that no matter how mature they are, if it’s too much, they can be overwhelmed/tired of it. Moreover, during my 20’s, I thought people in their 20’s we were mature adults, but now that I’m thinking back, when I was in my 20’s, I was still quite young.

C: When you say overdoing it, what do you mean?
NA: Doing anything just because they’ve asked. Doing anything that you think they want done. Changing yourself to suit him 100% so that you loose yourself and your identity and it makes them tired and in the end, becoming a dead thing.

C: This is an important point for readers of Cawaii.
NA: Love is something that is important for us ladies in being a woman but it does not mean that we always have to have a boyfriend always. It’s sometimes enough to have someone to get excited over. Easy boyfriends sometimes lead to short relationships. There is no need to rush; love should be something that takes time to develop but it’s important to give priority to yourself too. Disappointment leads to experience and one knows oneself best and what makes one happy; make yourself shine and want to have a pink-aura-love.

C: This point is important for Namie Amuro, the artist right, because it looks like your aura is sparkling now.
NA: Having done what you wanted to do is also one of the most important things.

C: This Best Album contains songs that many Cawaii readers may not have heard before
NA: This time the DVD had all the MV to each song as well. When looking at the ones from 6 years ago, it’s refreshing (laughing). If everyone enjoyed it, it will be nice.

C: Huh? That’s it?
NA: Since separating from Komuro-san, I’ve inserted my own way (into the work). I had disappointments, discovered new-realizations; these six years are filled with many different experiences. They are transferred into the 17 songs; they were developed slowly, at a careful pace. I’m confident that no matter what the results are, I’ll accept it. The same goes for love, what comes fast, often leaves as quickly. But right now I’m not worried about it, even if what I thought/expected does not come to be as I wished. However, it’s a type of experience, to keep and learn from them and if you continue to really try, there will be results. The more you try, the more you learn and develop from these experiences. For readers of Cawaii!, you still have much time, if you face difficult situations/hard times, please think “Namie Amuro has also had difficulties too” and if you like music or dancing, please try to come and meet at the concerts.

C: Huh? Listening to you is not so heavy/serious …
NA: No, you said you’ll be my teachers about love right? (laughs)

C: Then, is there something you would like to ask the girls of Cawaii?
NA: I want to ask everyone: “how do you get closer (to someone)??” If only waiting for it to happen, then it’s no good, right? So I would like to hear about the different ways to get closer/get to know someone better. I’ll hire a person! (laughs)

C: Ah…so you’ll even hire someone?
NA: Which way to get closer is good? If anyone has a technique to get the phone number, please tell me. I’m trying to find my destined person (laughs)

Quotes:
“Even if it’s right or wrong, I don’t want to have regrets. The result is me today.”
“No matter what, don’t give up until you are close to your dream.”