Heike Michiyo

Heike Michiyo (平家充代; Hello! Project stage name 平家 みちよ), later known simply as Michiyo (みちよ), is a Japanese pop singer. She is considered to be the first Hello! Project member due to winning the ASAYAN audition. She left Hello! Project in 2002, and went on to become an indie soloist producing her own music.

Early Life
Heike Michiyo was born on April 6, 1979, in Nabari, Mie, Japan. She began writing songs in middle school.

1997
In 1997, an audition program called "Sharan Q Rock Vocalist Audition" was held in association with ASAYAN. ASAYAN was a TV show aiming at producing new music artists, and the band, with their lead vocalist Tsunku, were looking for a female vocalist to join their group.

The finale of the show took place on September 7. In the final episode, the number of girls was narrowed down to 11 from out of 9,900 applicants. All of the finalists were tasked with singing an original song, penned by Tsunku, called GET. Heike would eventually win the whole audition despite forgetting the lyrics to the song in the final. However, plans were diverted, and Heike was given a solo career instead of joining the band.

On November 6, her first live event was held at Nippon Budokan to an audience of ten thousand people.

1998
Starting in 1998, alongside her solo career, she hosted the reality/infotainment TV show Idol wo Sagase together with Nakazawa Yuko until 2002.

In April, She joined the radio show "Sound Planet" as a regular until 2002. She also appeared as a mini regular on the television shows Taiyou Musume to Umi and Wine Musume Koi Monogatari.

On August 18, Heike made her film debut with the movie Morning Cop ~Daite HOLD ON ME!~, co-starring alongside Morning Musume. She was also featured in the film's soundtrack album.

Starting October 4, she also had her own radio show called "Heike Michiyo Teenage Beat!", which lasted until the beginning of 1999.

1999
On April 3, she started another radio show, "Heike Michiyo Weekend Rendezvous" to replace "Heike Michiyo Teenage Beat!" This show ran for over two years before ending in September 2001.

2000
In March, Heike participated as a member of the Hello! Project shuffle unit, Kiiro 5.

In October, she joined the late-night mini-series, Diary Beautiful Girl, Beautiful Girl Diary 2, a mini-drama, that lasted till 2001.

In 2000, Heike was interviewed for Dreamcast Magazine, where she was asked by the interviewer whether she was bitter about the fact that Morning Musume, a group formed out of five runner-ups from the audition she won, had become a national idol group while Heike's career was not as popular in comparison. Her response was as follows:

2001
In April, she joined the Tokyo late-night mini-series Pretty Education that lasted till September of the same year.

In May, she starred in the musical LOVE Century -Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai-, along with Morning Musume.

In July, Heike participated in the shuffle unit 7nin Matsuri.

In October, she joined the late-night mini-series, New Anime Diary, that lasted till March 2002.

2002
In July, Heike participated in the shuffle unit Sexy 8.

From November 1 to 7, Heike held her last concert tour under Hello! Project, Heike Michiyo "Sotsugyou Memorial Live". She officially graduated from Hello! Project on the final day of the tour.

2004
After her graduation, she remained out of the spotlight for a few years, before releasing her first independent album as a solo artist in 2004. The album was titled JECICA, and was released under record label Sweet Hysteria Records. Heike Michiyo also changed her stage name to Michiyo (みちよ) to re-launch herself.

The same year she held a concert called "JECICA Hatsubai Kinen/Azamazaka Tour '04".

Six months later, she released a DVD called "Sweets of JECICA" with three music videos and a documentary, which was only for sale through her website.

2005
In the beginning of 2005, Michiyo released a fan club only single entitled Ran・RUN・Ran, and the following month, she released her second solo album, Koimizuki. Following the album, she went on a tour called "Koimizuki Hatsubai Kinen/Azamazaka Tour '05." She had another tour later the same year called "Michiyo Tour 2005 'unaffected'."

2006
In July, she released her third solo album Fantasia, which is currently her last music release. She had to pay for the completition of this album as the president of the company disappeared. It sent her into depression.undefined

2007
In March, Michiyo announced on her blog that she was three months pregnant and had married the father of her child. On November 1 that same year, she gave birth to a baby girl.

2008-2009
In 2008, Heike got sick during a live performance and had to step down to take the rest she needed.

In late 2008 and early 2009 she released three talk CDs with Yoshikawa Nami, called "Nami-chan to Michiyo no KIRAKIRA ☆ TALK."

In early 2009, Michiyo was a guest at a Melon Kinenbi show, and in late 2009 she wished Taiyou to Ciscomoon good luck before their first concert in 8 years

2011
In 2011, Michiyo’s blog was shut down.

2012
On October 13, at 12:23 A.M., she gave birth to her second child, a son.undefined

2013
On December 31, Heike made her first Hello! Project-related performance in 11 years at Hello!Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2013 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~.

2014
In December, Heike announced that she would be a guest at TV Tokyo’s Imaichi Dakedo Happy Jinsei. She also announced she would hold a mini live called "Michiyo Acoustic Mini Live" or "Michiyo Nenmatsu Special Mini Live" at Miiya Cafe in Tokyo on the 20th. Fans who purchased a CD at the live venue got a chance to attend a handshake event afterwards. This was her first solo live show in six years.undefined. According to fan reports, Iida Kaori was in the audience, as well as Saito Hitomi, Murata Megumi and Otani Masae. Heike performed the songs JECICA, Love Line, GET, Promise, RAINBOW, Shiroi Suna, Sakuseichuu no Uta (Sebinomi) (作成中の曲 (サビのみ)), Kite, and Promise.

2015
In January, a special segment with Heike was aired on TV about her debut 17 years ago and her work up until the present. They also showed footage from her live show on the December 20, 2014.

She appeared on Shikujiri Sensei Ore Mitai ni Naru na! ! ~Shippai Jinsei! Chotto Matte 3-jikan SP~ (しくじり先生 俺みたいになるな!! ～失敗人生!ちょっと待って3時間SP～) in April.undefined Here she talked about how she made her debut in front of 10.000 people, then ending up in the shadow of Morning Musume and never getting the same fame after that. One of the sequences is called "Don't become like me!". She is acting out as a teacher, complaining about what is important for those working towards their goals not to fail.

She also appeard on UTAGE! in May, and on Shikujiri Sensei 2-shuu Renzoku! ! Natsuyasumi tokubetsu Jugyou Special (しくじり先生 2週連続!!夏休み特別授業スペシャル) in August.undefined

2017
In 2017, Heike's social media accounts were shut down after the arrest of her husband.undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined

Profile
Stats=
 * Name: Heiko Michiyo (平家充代)
 * Stage Name: Heike Michiyo (平家みちよ); Michiyo (みちよ)
 * Birthdate:
 * Birthplace: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
 * Blood type: B
 * Hello! Project Status:
 * [1997.08.31] Member
 * [2002.11.07] Graduated
 * Eastern Zodiac: Goat
 * Western Zodiac: Aries
 * Hello! Project Shuffle Groups:
 * Kiiro 5 (2000)
 * 7nin Matsuri (2001)
 * Sexy 8 (2002)
 * -|Q&A=
 * Hobbies: Visiting shrines, traveling abroad, writing novels, aroma, wiping the floor
 * Favorite Foods: Pollock roe, crab, peperoncino
 * Least Favorite Foods: Celery
 * Favorite Words: Confidence, charm
 * Favorite Places: Home, Los Angeles, Hawaii, places where it's sunny
 * Favorite Brands: Justin Davis, Cartier, VelVet Stone, Play boy
 * Favorite Songs: true colors (Cyndi Lauper), Gangsta's Paradise (Coolio), You Gotta Be (Des'ree), Habanera (Bizet), Vltava (B. Smetana), Concerto for Two Violins (Bach)
 * Looks Up To: Johann Sebastian Bach

Discography
Albums=
 * Under Hello! Project
 * 1) [1998.03.25] Teenage Dream
 * 2) [2000.09.13] For ourself ~Single History~


 * As Michiyo (independent)
 * 1) [2004.03.03] JECICA
 * 2) [2005.02.28] Koimizuki (恋水姫)
 * 3) [2006.07.25] Fantasia


 * -|Singles=
 * Under Hello! Project
 * 1) [1997.11.05] GET
 * 2) [1998.02.15] Sotsugyou ~TOP OF THE WORLD~
 * 3) [1998.07.01] Daikirai
 * 4) [1998.10.25] Dakedo Aishisugite
 * 5) [1999.02.10] Anata no Yume ni Naritai
 * 6) [1999.07.28] scene
 * 7) [2000.05.17] One Room Natsu no Koi Monogatari
 * 8) [2000.08.09] Ai no Chikara
 * 9) [2001.02.07] Kekkyoku Bye Bye Bye
 * 10) [2001.11.07] Propose
 * 11) [2002.06.05] Murasaki Shikibu


 * As Michiyo (independent)
 * 1) [2005.01.09] Ran・RUN・Ran
 * 2) [2005.12.09] unaffected


 * -|Original Songs=
 * As Michiyo (independent)
 * Tooku e (遠くへ) (Sung live at "Michiyo ~9th Anniversary Acoustic Live~")
 * CRYSTAL SKY (Sung live at "Michiyo 11th Anniversary Acoustic Live ~CRYSTAL SKY~")
 * story (Sung live at "Michiyo 11th Anniversary Acoustic Live ~CRYSTAL SKY~")
 * Tonari (Kari) (トナリ (仮)) (Revealed from a Tweet she posted on November 10, 2014 stating she discovered a list of songs from a a few years ago)


 * -|Other=
 * DVDs
 * 1) [2004.09.30] Sweets of JECICA


 * Talk CDs
 * 1) [2008.11.05] Nami-chan to Michiyo no Kirakira☆Talk Vol. 1 (なみちゃんとみちよのキラキラ☆トーク VOL.1)
 * 2) [2009.01.05] Nami-chan to Michiyo no Kirakira☆Talk Vol. 2 (なみちゃんとみちよのキラキラ☆トーク VOL.2)
 * 3) [2009.03.05] Nami-chan to Michiyo no Kirakira☆Talk Vol. 3 (なみちゃんとみちよのキラキラ☆トーク VOL.3)


 * -|Concerts=
 * [2004] Heike Michiyo "Sotsugyou Memorial Live" (平家みちよ「卒業メモリアルライブ」)
 * [2004] JECICA Hatsubai Kinen/Azamazaka Tour '04 (「JECICA発売記念・東阪ツアー'04」)
 * [2005] Koimizuki Hatsubai Kinen/Azamazaka Tour '05 (「恋水姫発売記念・東阪ツアー'05」)
 * [2005] Michiyo Tour 2005 "unaffected" (みちよ Tour 2005 『unaffected』)

Discography Participated In
Albums=
 * Morning Cop ~Daite HOLD ON ME!~ OST
 * Petit Best ~Ki Ao Aka~
 * Petit Best 2 ~3・7・10~
 * The Douyou Pops 2 Haru no Uta Shuu
 * The Douyou Pops 3 Natsu no Uta Shuu
 * The Douyou Pops 4 Aki no Uta Shuu
 * Petit Best 3
 * -|Singles=
 * Kiiro 5
 * Kiiroi Osora de BOOM BOOM BOOM


 * 7nin Matsuri
 * Summer Reggae! Rainbow


 * Sexy 8
 * Shiawase Desu ka?


 * -|Concerts=
 * Heike Michiyo, Morning Musume First Concert "HELLO!"
 * Hello! Project Happy New Year '99
 * Morning Musume Memory Seishun no Hikari Tour (special guest)
 * Hello! Project '99
 * Hello! Project Happy New Year 2000
 * Hello! Project 2000 Atsumare! Summer Party
 * Hello! Project 2001 Sugoizo! 21seiki
 * Hello! Project 2001 TOGETHER! Summer Party!
 * Hello! Project 2002 ~Kotoshi mo Sugoizo!~
 * Matsuura Aya First Concert Tour 2002 Haru "First Date" (special guest)
 * Morning Musume CONCERT TOUR 2001 "Live Revolution Haru" (special guest)
 * Hello! Project 2002 ~ONE HAPPY SUMMER DAY~
 * Hello! Project COUNTDOWN PARTY 2013 ~GOOD BYE & HELLO!~

Film

 * [1998.08.18] Morning Cop ~Daite HOLD ON ME!~

Television

 * [1998.04.07-1998.06.30] Taiyou Musume to Umi
 * [1998.10.02-1998.02.18] Wine Musume Koi Monogatari
 * [1999.01.05-1999.12.28] Idol wo Sagase! (アイドルをさがせ!)
 * [2000.01.04-2000.03.29] Morning Musume no Heso (モーニング娘. のへそ)
 * [2000.10.02-2001.03.30] Bishoujo Nikki, Bishoujo Nikki 2 (美・少女日記、美・少女日記2)
 * [2001.04.02-2001.09.28] Bishoujo Kyouiku (美少女教育)
 * [2001.10.01-2002.03.29] Shin Bishoujo Nikki (新・美少女日記)

Radio

 * [1998.04.03-2002.09.27] Sound Planet (サウンドプラネット) (as a regular)
 * [1998.10.04-1999.03.28] Heike Michiyo Teenage Beat! (平家みちよ Teenage Beat!)
 * [1999.04.03-2001.09.30] Heike Michiyo Weekend Rendezvous (平家みちよ ウィークエンドランデヴー)
 * [2001.01-2002.03] Heike Michiyo no Dochira Made (平家みちよのどちらまで)
 * [2001.06.10-2002.10.05] Hecchara Heike ★ Yoroshiku Yossui (ヘッチャラ平家★よろしくヨッスィー) (with Yoshizawa Hitomi)
 * [2008.03.12] Sound Planet (サウンドプラネット) (as a guest)

Musicals

 * [2001.05.03-2001.05.27] LOVE Century -Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai-

Trivia

 * Her love of music began in elementary school, when she studied classical composers. In junior high school, she started writing lyrics and composing.
 * She was the first member and leader of Hello! Project.
 * Nakazawa Yuko (who is six years older than her) referred to her as "Dai Senpai" or "Big Leader."
 * She graduated from high school in Osaka.
 * Shares the same birthday with S/mileage member Katsuta Rina.