Risa Niigaki
| Risa Niigaki 新垣 里沙 |
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|---|---|
Risa Niigaki at the Japan Expo on July 3, 2010
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| Born | October 20, 1988 |
| Other names | Gaki-san, Omame-chan |
| Occupation | |
| Spouse(s) | Yoshikazu Kotani (m. 2016) |
| Website | Official Website - Official Blog - Official Agency Profile |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2001-Present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
Risa Niigaki (新垣 里沙 Niigaki Risa?, born October 20, 1988 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan) is a Japanese idol, singer, and actress formerly associated with Hello! Project. She was a fifth generation member of the Japanese pop group Morning Musume. She joined Morning Musume in 2001 along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno and Makoto Ogawa. She grew up in Yokohama after moving there at age six. She was the longest serving member of Morning Musume, and was the leader of the group from October 2011 to her graduation on May 18, 2012.
Niigaki was the runner-up for the 'Kiss Girl Audition' in becoming Tomy image girl before joining Morning Musume. She appeared with the winner Ai Hasegawa in a Tomy Karaoke Machine commercial.
In 2001, Niigaki joined Morning Musume as the fifth generation along with Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno, and Makoto Ogawa. Morning Musume producer Tsunku said he chose Niigaki because she "shined during the final studio recording" for the audition song that all the finalists had to sing. She debuted and lead on the group's 13th single, "Mr. Moonlight (Ai no Big Band)" making her one of the few members of Morning Musume who was able to lead on her debut single. She first appeared in their 4th album, 4th Ikimasshoi!. In the summer of that year, she also debuted in a shuffle unit as part of Happy 7, with two other members of her generation (Ai Takahashi and Makoto Ogawa).
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