Japanese diva Ayumi Hamasaki was originally scheduled to hold a concert in Shanghai last Saturday, but it was canceled due to “force majeure.” However, she still went on stage, singing from start to finish in front of 14,000 empty seats, recording a no-audience concert and posting multiple photos from the scene on social media.
Although Ayumi Hamasaki has already returned to Japan, the controversy continues. Someone claiming to be a staff member of the concert posted an apology, admitting to secretly taking photos during rehearsal and spreading allegedly false information about “Ayumi Hamasaki’s solo concert,” implying that the no-audience show was staged. The incident sparked heated discussion.
However, Ayumi Hamasaki’s personal beautician Mika Takahashi spoke out in her defense, saying that although Ayumi was heartbroken that day, she still bowed and pleaded in front of all members to let her perform. She also said that Ayumi couldn’t hold back tears before the show started, and the staff also did their best to control their emotions as they sent her on stage. Up until the final encore, everything was an official performance, and absolutely not a rehearsal. In addition, Ayumi Hamasaki’s support cafés in Shanghai were reportedly all removed overnight, seemingly as a result of this incident.
News Source: ON.CC