Kumi Koda scandal – Kingdom promotion called off

On the February 1st airing of Japanese radio program “All Night Nippon,” Kumi Koda had made a comment that has caused a major uproar.

This is a radio show where music artists will often host/guest host and, as expected in a talk show, talk about things. Anyway, Koda’s manager recently had a child, and a question was made to Koda as to whether or not she wants to have children in her life. Her response was something along the lines of “Yes, but before 35, because after then, the amniotic fluid in a woman starts to get old/dirty.” (not a direct translation).

Koda has received an enormous amount of negative press in response to this statement, that may or may not have come out as she had wanted.

Following the radio show and the bad press, Koda’s official website (run by avex Entertainment, a music corporation in Japan) was completely pulled down, removing all promotion for her recently released album, Kingdom (save a tiny text ad at the bottom of the page). All promotion for Kingdom in the media has been halted, and there is rumor that Koda’s upcoming 2008 Live Tour is cancelled.

Make-up company, Visée, which Koda had been promotion with her song “Run For Your Life,” has removed her from their website as well.

Since the official site was taken down, it has since resurfaced with an apology from Koda herself and a message from avex explaining the situation with Kingdom.

It is unsure yet as to how severe this scandal will be, and what the ramifications will be. Kingdom has already sold 300,000 copies half-way through its first week, and it is unsure yet how much sales will be affected, with all promotion being pulled and a dark cloud looming over Kumi Koda at the moment.

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