^^^ Sure, I'll give it a go.
This got a bit lengthy, but it would make me happy if you read it.
The path I chose when I graduated from C-ute was to try modeling.
They say when jumping into a new environment that you have to start from 1, and I had worries and struggles.
Like when I had to bring my own materials for my debut, or going on auditions, doing those sorts of things for the first time, and there were periods where I was shocked at how smoothly things were going...
Even so, during those times, I'd go by myself to an audition, give it my best, and have my work decided, and it all came with an amazing sense of accomplishment and feeling like it was all worth it.
I was recalling how during my time as an idol, I would ordinarily have work everyday - that is, I wasn't having to go out there and find work for myself - and there were things I didn't realize, such as the many people who worked hard at managing it on our behalf. As I found and did jobs on my own, little by little, I came to realize how incredibly difficult it is.
I've come to be grateful for the many things I learned from my experience made possible by modeling and the daily tasks I had, and I really feel it was a good experience.
And now we come to the real subject.
I entered this year running into a really big sort of barrier.
That is, as far as the work I would do as a model, I came to realize the one thing that was the most fun above all else was doing a show.
When I would be walking on the runway and always listening to the cheers, it stirred some feelings within me.
That is, I was remembering the time I was performing music.
Every time I would walk the runway, I'd want to do music once more - wanting to sing and dance before all the fans again.
You see, these thoughts gradually became stronger.
It's not that I had some way to go before I had achievements as a model, nor that I gave up on it, and yet I felt like I should not be saying that I want to do music again, so for a long time days were passing without my telling the people around me about it.
It was quite difficult.
The worry continued for months until it rapidly became too much, when one day in May a close friend since high school abruptly said to me "Don't you do music anymore? I want to see you up there once again singing and dancing!! I also like the Erika who models, but the times we would discuss music and go to karaoke together were super fun and you seemed to sparkle!!"
It might not have been an ordinary conversation, but for me those few words were quite important.
More than ever, I was condisering those things of the past occuring again in the near future...
Around September, I finally came to a decision.
That is...
I want to stand again on the stage sincging and dancing and see everyone's smiling faces! If there are fans who have been waiting for this, I want to live up to your expectations! You only go through this world once, not knowing if it may be a long time or short, and you never know what may happen at any given time or when you may lose your way a little, but I definitely want to be in front of everyone singing and dancing soon!
With that in mind, I immediately contacted my manager at the office.
We set up a time to meet face to face, and until I told them all of my decisions I didn't reveal my thoughts to anyone else.
I, Umeda Erika, decided to restart my activity with music.
After this she talks about a new haircut to go with her new path, as well as her new official site and the live performance that's mentioned above.