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Mika Taressa Todd (Japanese: ミカ・タレッサ・トッド) is a former Japanese-American singer. She joined Hello! Project as part of the group Coconuts Musume in 1998, making their debut in 1999. She was also later added to the line up of Minimoni and became the leader of the group when then-leader Yaguchi Mari graduated.

In May 2004, Todd performed in Japan for the last time, and left Hello! Project to study music in Los Angeles, California.

Biography[]

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Mika Todd, 2016

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Mika Todd, 2007

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Mika Todd, 2005

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Mika Todd, Coconuts Musume

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Mika Todd, November 2003

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Mika Todd, 2003

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Mika Todd, November 2002

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Mika Todd, 2002

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Mika Todd, 2000

Mika was born and raised in Hawaii. Her mother is a native Japanese and her father Johnny Todd is a famous Australian-born American jazz pianist, giving her a strong background in music from a young age. She has a sister (Shay) and a brother (Tony).

She entered Kalani High School in Hawaii.[1]

1998[]

In November, the Pacific Dream Pop Singer Competition was held in Hawaii, United States by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, offering a record deal to the overall winner. International finals was held at the Nagoya Hard Rock Cafe in December. On December 20, 1998, Todd won the 3rd Prize (Special Award) in The Pacific Dream Pop Singer Contest, sponsored by Sony Music.

1999[]

In March, Ayaka, Chelsea, AprilDanielle, and Mika was the winners.

On July 23, 1999, she made her debut in Japan as part of the group Coconuts Musume. In Hello! Project, Coconuts Musume released 5 singles, with April and Chelsea leaving after their second, Danielle after their fourth, and Lehua being picked up for the third. The group never released an album. After Lehua left after the fifth single, Coconuts Musume continued with just Ayaka and Todd. Although they never released another single, the duo performed at Hello! Project concerts, appeared on television shows, hosted their own radio show, Kiss the Coconuts, and even promoted Dole pineapples.

2000-2001[]

In late 2000, Morning Musume member Yaguchi Mari created the sub-group Minimoni with Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi. Tsunku added Todd into the group, and they made their debut in January 2001. Minimoni was a highly popular group at the time and gave Todd more exposure than Coconuts Musume received.

2003[]

In 2003, Yaguchi Mari graduated from Minimoni in March 2003. Todd, as the oldest member, took over as the group's leader. That year, she co-starred in the Minimoni movie, Minimoni THE Movie Okashi na Daibouken!. She also had a minor role in the made-for-TV series, Minimoni de Bremen no Ongakutai.

2004[]

In early 2004, it was announced that Todd would be graduating from Coconuts Musume, Minimoni, and Hello! Project. She planned to study singing in California and pursue her career as a jazz singer.[2]

On May 2, Todd performed at her last concert at Saitama, Japan. "Be All Right" was her last song with Ayaka as Coconuts Musume. "Minimoni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!" and the two tracks off the last Minimoni single "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!" were her last songs with Minimoni. Minimoni disbanded at this concert with their final performances.

Later, on May 29, Todd performed in Japan for the last time before her departure to study music in Los Angeles, California.

2005[]

In 2005, while Todd was studying music and singing jazz, she occasionally performed with her father, Johnny Todd. She even traveled to Japan to sing for her Japanese fans. She also released an English-language jazz album, titled Mika, that featured only a few tracks.

In November, it was announced that Todd became a voice actor for the American cartoon "Da Jammies" as Akira.[3] The series was never released. When it was later released in 2017, Mika was no longer involved.

2011[]

In 2011, Mika Todd created a Twitter account.

On April 21 it was announced Mika Todd would return to the stage for a benefit at the Pasadena Civic Center for the weekend’s concert in support of Japan's relief after the disasters. Todd was quoted as saying that she ..."feels a responsibility to help the people of Japan, and the best way is through music." "It’s so hard to put into words how I feel about the situation in Japan,” Todd wrote in an email to the Rafu. “It breaks my heart to hear the many stories of the victims losing everything. But yet, it’s so amazing to hear how the Japanese community and the international community coming together to help in any way that they can. It makes me feel very proud to be Japanese and I am confident that they will stand again stronger than ever.”

On May 17, Mika's father, Johnny Todd, wrote on his twitter that he was in the studio with Todd. She tweeted the same thing a few days later.[4]

On May 28th, even though it was her birthday, it was Todd giving fans a present, as she linked a video of her recording new songs in the studio. Former Coconuts Musume member Lehua Sandbo also sent her a message, saying, “I love the tone of your voice, Mika! It’s soothing for my soul.”

2012[]

On December 17, Mika created a YouTube account[5] and uploaded a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Dark Side," while playing the guitar. She assured fans in a comment that she would be uploading more videos.

2013[]

In 2013, her twitter account was hacked, and she stopped using it.

On February 11, she uploaded a cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" to her YouTube channel.

On May 18, she uploaded a cover of "Song For You" to her YouTube channel.

2014[]

In February, Todd described how she was attacked walking to her car: "Last night, as I was walking to my car after work a man attempted to attack me. I was looking down at my phone and saw a man pass right by me from the corner of my eye. Soon after, he came from behind, put his arm around my neck and told me "don't scream or I'll slit your neck". As I realized what was happening, I yanked his arm down and kept screaming help until he ran off. I am so thankful that I've been training hard at Cobrinha Westside the past 2 months because I really think it prepared me for this terrible experience. I'm also glad that Cale taught me to just react in a situation like this. Had I not reacted in that split second, I think I would have been a victim. I'm sharing this because I want women out there to know that it could happen to you. Never walk alone at night and don't let your guard down. My guard was down and he saw his chance and took it. The funny thing is that as he walked right passed me, I felt uneasy. Always trust your instincts."[6]

On August 28, Todd was a special guest on a podcast on YouTube called "Fanning Out".[7]

2019[]

In 2019, she got married to Cale Horibe.[8]

Profile[]

  • Hobbies: Playing guitar
  • Favorite color: Red
  • Favorite flowers: Piikake
  • Favorite season: Summer
  • Favorite saying: “Oh, yes!”
  • Favorite food: Mexican quesadillas
  • Disliked food: Oysters

  • Discography[]

  • Roll the Dice[11]

  • [2001.08.01] I LOVE NEW YORK CITY (with Inaba Atsuko & Kimura Ayaka)
  • [2002.07.17] Cake is No.1 (with Kimura Ayaka)

  • Discography Participated In[]

    Publications[]

    Essay[]

    Books[]

    Works[]

    Events[]

    Films[]

    DVDs[]

    TV Programs[]

    Anime[]

    • [2001] Hamtaro Movie 1: Adventures in Ham Ham Land (voice of Merika)
    • [2002] Hamtaro Movie 2: The Captive Princess (voice of Merika)
    • [2003] Hamtaro Movie 3: Miracle of Aurora Valley (voice of Merika)
    • [2006] Da Jammies

    Radio[]

    Theater[]

    CMs[]

    • Dole Pineapples

    Trivia[]

    • Her father is Australian and her mother is Japanese.
    • She is fluent in both English and Japanese.
    • Mika's father, Johnny Todd, is a famous Australian-born American Jazz pianist. He passed away on July 1st, 2022 at age 86, losing his battle to cancer.[16]
    • She knew Ayaka from beforehand.[17]
    • In Minimoni, Todd is usually wearing clothes differing from those of the other girls. Yaguchi Mari explained in an episode of Minimoni Chiccha~! that Todd was wearing blue clothes while everyone else was wearing red because Todd was at the Minimoni height limit of 150 cm while everyone else was below the limit.
    • Kimura Ayaka and Todd are the only members of Coconuts Musume with a Japanese first name.
    • She can play the guitar and piano.
    • She was at one point in a relationship with Cole Horibe from So You Think You Can Dance Season 9. They later got married.
    • She shares her birthday with Morning Musume's 9th generation member Sayashi Riho and ANGERME's 3rd generation member Sasaki Rikako.
    • One of her pet peeves is when the English doesn't make any sense.[18]

    Honorary Titles[]

    Honorary Titles
    Preceded by
    Fukuda Asuka
    Youngest member of Hello! Project
    1999 – 1999
    Succeeded by
    Goto Maki
    Preceded by
    First
    Youngest member of Coconuts Musume
    1999 – 2004
    Succeeded by
    Incumbent
    Preceded by
    Yaguchi Mari
    Leader of Minimoni
    2003 – 2004
    Succeeded by
    Linlin
    Preceded by
    Yaguchi Mari
    Oldest Member of Minimoni
    2003 – 2004
    Succeeded by
    Linlin

    References[]

    1. From the book "Coconuts Musume no Tanoshii Hawaii Ryuugaku"
    2. [1]Coconuts Musume Official Site
    3. [2]Official Site
    4. http://t. co/Bdem5jh Official Twitter
    5. [3]YouTube
    6. Official Facebook
    7. [4]YouTube
    8. Official Instagram
    9. Japanese Wikipedia Page
    10. Hello! Project magazine Vol.6, summer 1999. Scan
    11. Mika Todd fansite (archived)
    12. [5]CoConutsCrash (Retrieved 2005)
    13. [6]Official Site
    14. Official Site
    15. Official Site
    16. https://www.facebook.com/johnny.todd.77
    17. [7]
    18. [8]Twitter

    External Links[]

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