Do you remember Erika Sawajiri, one of the most well-known actresses in Japan, from one of our past issues(#28)? Well, since then, there has been much gossip about her over the past two years. The latest news is that she got fired from her agency!

Well, after she had behaved so rudely in one of her movies' opening events in September 2007, she made her apologies both on her website and on TV. But her bad behavior had shocked her fans so badly that she couldn't fully regain her reputation. People began to sarcastically call her “Princess Erika” with reference to her arrogant attitude.

Later, it was reported that Erika was in a relationship with Tsuyoshi Takashiro, a media creator and DJ who is 22 years older than her! Erika then went to Europe with Takashiro, which was quite surprising because she was expected to rebuild her career in Japan. In January 2009, they officially announced that they were getting married. The news surprised people again, and Erika now really had a reputation for “doing whatever she wants.”

At the end of September, she got fired by her agency. The reasons haven't been announced officially in detail, but the media have been reporting that the agency got sick of her doing all kinds of things without even letting them know or consulting with them. Takashiro, her husband and practically her current manager, is said to be preparing a lawsuit against the agency's decision. The truth behind the decision is yet to be unveiled, but at least it seems true that Erika can't shake off the media's image of her as a scandalous actress.