On Monday, NTV revealed three of the daily personalities for the new weekday morning show “ZIP!” that begins on April 1, replacing “Zoom In!! SUPER.” It was already known that the main hosts will be announcer Masu Taichi (29) and talento Sekine Mari (26), but they will be joined by a daily rotation that includes TOKIO’sYamaguchi Tatsuya (39), EXILE’s MAKIDAI (35), and Neptune’s Harada Taizo (40).
For Yamaguchi, MAKIDAI, and Harada, this will be the first time that any of them has served as a personality on a news show.
Their assigned days are not yet known, and the remaining two people in the rotation will be revealed at a later date.
Source: Tokyograph
Actor Maki Daisuke(35), also known as MAKIDAI and member of popular group EXILE, was chosen once again this year as the image model for Italian fashion brand EMPORIO ARMANI.
He was the first Japanese male to represent the brand, as all previous Japanese image models before him have been women (actresses Miyazaki Aoi in 2008 and Kuroki Meisa in 2009). In reaction to being chosen for the second year in a row, MAKIDAI commented, “I want to become more polished to be able to wear these clothes with style.”
Designer Giorgio Armani praised MAKIDAI, saying, “He’s young and strong, and full of energy.” The famous designer also stated that the actor/performer’s metropolitan style and good looks make him“perfect” to represent the brand. Beginning in mid-March, the Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaign photos will be featured on an outdoor billboard over Tokyo shopping district Omotesando’s biggest intersection, as well as in various fashion and lifestyle magazines.
Source: Tokyohive
On February 24th, J-WAVE held its “McDonald’s TOKIO HOT 100 AWARDS” ceremony. The annual awards show, which determines the year’s best song and artists through listeners votes, had selected seven nominees each for five award categories. All songs and artists that placed in the top 100 in 2010 were considered for nomination. From January 9th until February 6th, a total of 18,661 votes were counted to decide this year’s winners.
Seven hundred J-WAVE listeners and several musicians and music execs attended the event and after party at Shinagawa’s Stellar Ball concert hall. Chris Peppler, the host of McDonald’s TOKIO HOT 100 radio show, served as MC, and the rest of the J-WAVE staff as presenters. The winners came to the stage with words of thanks and performed their songs for the audience. J-WAVE’s recommended artists for 2011, Heavenstamp and NIKIIE, also gave a special performance.
[…]
EXILE then took home the award for Best Group. The audience erupted into cheers as the award was announced and EXILE member USA took the stage. “As EXILE is undergoing changes, it’s thanks to all of you that we can continue performing. The thanks I feel toward our fans is what inspires me to put everything I have into my performance. We ask for your continued support,” he said.
[…]
A recap of the ceremony will air on J-WAVE’s “McDonald’s TOKIO HOT 100” on Sunday, February 27th from 1:00 to 4:54 PM.
—
McDonald’s TOKIO HOT 100 AWARDS
Best Song: “Wildflower” / Superfly
Best Male Artist: Hata Motohiro
Best Female Artist: JUJU
Best Group: Exile
Best New Artist: ChariceHeavenstamp
01. Hype
02. Stand by YouCHARICE
01. PyramidNIKIEE
01. Shunkashuutou
02. HIDE&SEEKJUJU
01. HELLO, AGAIN~Mukashi kara aru basho~
02. Kono yoru wo tomete yo
Source: Tokyohive