After 8 months, Goto Maki is back on stage and she was part of Avex Shareholders event in Saitama, where she sang Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You.
New pictures, ripped from the official website (click to enlarge):
[Update 1: Full translation of a newspaper article about Goto moving to Avex]
(click to enlarge)
A Mature Gomaki Transfers to Avex for a Comeback
It was announced on the 19th that former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22) had joined exclusively with major record company Avex Entertainment. Her brother, former singer Goto Yuki (21), was arrested and charged with theft last October, and she graduated from her former company, Hello Project. She was in control of her own career, and finally plotted her comeback.
True to herself, she has found a new direction. Leaving behind the idol world and devoting herself to singing, Goto found a new partner.
Her brother was arrested last October. Since then, she felt uncomfortable as part of an idol group, and with the scandal making things worse, she graduated from Hello Project.
In March of this year, she spent about one month in Los Angeles. While there, she worked at voice training, among other things. On May 21, her brother's sentence was passed. With that behind her, she was able to look forward, and the chance for her to make a comeback as a singer arose.
Avex could see her limitless potential, and began a series of meetings with Goto. As a result, her record company and management both transferred from Up Front Group to Avex Group on June 1.
She joins "rhythm zone", the label that exposed Japan to R&B with artists such as EXILE and Koda Kumi (25). With Goto looking to become an artist, being surrounded by specialised staff is the best thing for her. She commented on the move, saying, "I love singing even more now, and most of all, I want to share the songs I love with everybody."
The details of her future activities are yet to be decided. According to Avex, "I think everybody will see the new Goto Maki in front of them soon enough, so please stay tuned." It has now been ten years since her debut with Morning Musume in 1999. Having braved these stormy seas, the New Gomaki will show us how she has evolved soon.
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"For a singer, it's most important to love to sing, and because of that, I've decided on a new direction for my future. Nearly 10 years after my debut, I've met with Avex. I feel like I have new motivation and great potential now. I love singing even more now, and most of all, I want to share the songs I love with everybody. I'm going to work my hardest, so please give me your support.
Goto Maki"
[Original article:]
Former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22) has signed an exclusive record deal with recording label Avex. Avex is home to many of Japan's most popular artists, such as Hamasaki Ayumi, Otsuka Ai, BoA, Every Little Thing, AAA, and more.
Goto will be on the Rhythm Zone sublabel, home to Pop-R&B artists such as Koda Kumi & EXILE.
Some new artist photos have been made available as well, showing Goto's new look as an Avex artist:
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