Meimi Tamura | |
---|---|
Native name | 田村芽実 |
Born | October 30, 1998 |
Other names | Meimei |
Occupation | |
Musical career | |
Genres | Pop |
Associated acts | |
Website | twitter |
Meimi Tamura (田村芽実 Tamura Meimi, born October 30, 1998) is a Japanese actress and singer. She is a former member of the Hello! Project group Angerme.
Meimi Tamura's mother was a Troupe Organizer, and acted at Gunma Prefecture in Japan. Her elder sister, Karen Tamura, was also an actress. Influence from her mother and sister inspired Meimi working to become an actress.
Tamura's first public performance took place in the Concert Tour of Japanese Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa, on the stage in Okinawa Convention Center March 27, 2004, as a member of the Dodonpa Kids when she was 5 years old.
At age of 10 she was cast in the 2009 musical Shugo Chara as Yaya Yuiki. After co-starring with then S/mileage members, Yuuka Maeda (who played Amu), Kanon Fukuda (who played Nadeshiko) and Ayaka Wada (who played a student and X-Egg) in this musical, she became a S/mileage fan herself, and she went to several S/mileage concerts.
On 29th, May 2011 at S/mileage's major debut 1st year anniversary event, producer Tsunku announced that new members will be added to the group and an audition was subsequently held by Up-Front Agency. Tamura, along with approximately 2000 other contestants attended the 1st round of the audition held in Shibuya, Tokyo, in June 2011. Tamura was chosen to proceed to the 2nd round with 49 other contestants on 9th, July 2011. Only 12 contestants including Tamura, made it to the 3rd round. The 3rd round last for 2 days in the form of a training camp, which took place in a remote location 2 hours away from Tokyo. Contestants had their dancing and vocal abilities assessed by choreographer Yoshiko, vocal coach Mariko Ueno and producer Tsunku. At the end of the 3rd round, Tamura passed the audition with 4 other contestants (Akari Takeuchi, Rina Katsuta, Fuyuka Kosuga, and Kana Nakanishi). These five girls became S/mileage's sub-members On October 16, Tamura was promoted to official members of the group. With the name change to ANGERME in 2014, Tamura continued as a main vocalist in the group until she graduated on May 30, 2016.