Aya Ueto, a talented Japanese entertainer, was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1985. Her remarkable journey began in August 1997 when, at the tender age of 11, she won the Special Jury Prize at the 7th All-Japan Bishoujo Contest, a prestigious competition that showcased her exceptional beauty. This initial success paved the way for her to explore both acting and singing, leading to various minor TV drama roles and a low-budget action movie. Additionally, she formed a short-lived pop quartet, "Z-1", with other winners of the Bishoujo Contest.
Aya's breakthrough performance came when she portrayed a high school student with Gender Identity Disorder in the 6th series of the long-running classroom drama Kinpachi sensei, Mr. Kinpachi in Class 3B (1979). Her passionate portrayal endeared her to the Japanese nation, allowing her to pursue a solo music career with her first single, "Pureness", released in August 2002. This performance also caught the attention of cult movie director Ryûhei Kitamura, who cast her in the title role of Azumi (2003).
The film's release date coincided with the sale of her debut album "AYAUETO" in the spring of 2003, setting Aya up for super-stardom. Her famous smile has since earned her numerous commercial contracts and magazine covers, providing valuable exposure for any idol. Alongside starring roles in a number of popular television dramas, Aya has cemented her position as one of Japan's top entertainers, rarely out of the limelight.
