Mika Taressa Todd (Japanese: ミカ・タレッサ・トッド) is a singer. She joined Hello! Project in 1999 after being discovered by Makoto, fellow Sharan Q bandmate of Tsunku. Along with Ayaka Kimura, Danielle Delaunay, April Barbaran and Chelsea Ching, they formed Coconuts Musume.
She was also later added to the line up of Minimoni and became the leader of the group when then-leader Yaguchi Mari graduated.
Biography
Mika Todd, 2016
Mika Todd 2007
Mika Todd 2005
Mika Todd Coconuts Musume
Mika Tood, November 2003
Mika 2003 (From Crazy About You)
Mika Todd, November 2002
Mika Todd 2002
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.
1999
In 1999, at Kalani High School in Hawaii, Todd formed a musical group with four of her friends and they periodically performed at small restaurants in the Waikiki area. After being discovered by Makoto, he convinced his friend and soon-to-be producer of the group, Tsunku, to add this group to Hello! Project. After they moved to Japan, they became Coconuts Musume.
In Hello! Project, Coconuts Musume released 5 singles, with April and Chelsea leaving after their second, Danielle after their fourth, and Lehua Sandbo 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
Shortly after Coconuts Musume was created, Morning Musume member Yaguchi Mari created the sub-group Minimoni with Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi. Tsunku added Todd into group shortly thereafter. Minimoni was a highly popular group at the time and gave Todd more exposure than Coconuts Musume received.
2002
On June 6, the song Ohayousan ~Mata Ashita no Uta~, a song off of Minimoni's first album Minimoni Song Daihyakka 1 Maki, features Todd teaching English phrases to the listener.
Yaguchi Mari graduated from Minimoni to lead the sub-group ZYX. Takahashi Ai joined while Mika Todd, as the oldest member of the current lineup, took over as the group's leader.
2003
Todd co-starred in the Minimoni movie, Okashi na Daibōken!
She had a minor role in the made-for-TV series, Brementown Musicians.
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.
On May 2, Todd performed at her last concert at Saitama, Japan. Be All Right (a song originally sang by the shuffle group 11WATER, and later covered on Minimoni's second album) was her last song with Ayaka Kimura as Coconuts Musume.
Minimoni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki! (featuring Yaguchi Mari) and the two tracks off the last Minimoni single "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!" were Todd's 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 that featured only a few tracks.
2006
In 2006, Todd became a voice actor for the American cartoon, Da Jammies (although the series was never released).
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 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 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
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.
Profile
- Full Name: Mika Taressa Todd (ミカ・タレッサ・トッド)
- Nicknames: Mika (ミカ), Mikapon (ミカポン), Merika (メリカ)
- Birth date: May 28, 1984
- Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Blood Type: A
- Height: 152 cm [1]
- Hobbies: Playing guitar
- Favorite color: Red
- Favorite flowers: Piikake
- Favorite season: Summer
- Favorite saying: “Oh, yes!”
- Favorite food: Mexican quesadillas
- Disliked food: Oysters
- Hello! Project groups:
- Coconuts Musume (1999-2004)
- Minimoni (2000-2004)
- Shuffle groups:
- Aoiro 7 (2000)
- 10-nin Matsuri (2001)
- Happy 7 (2002)
- 7AIR (2003)
Singles Participated In
- Minimoni
- Minimoni Jankenpyon! / Haru Natsu Aki Fuyu Daisukki!
- Minimoni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin / Minimoni Bus Guide
- Minihamus no Ai no Uta
- Minimoni Hinamatsuri! / Mini Strawberry Pie
- Ai~n Taisou / Ai~n! Dance no Uta
- Genki Jirushi no Oomori Song / Okashi Tsukutte Okkasui~!
- Minihamus no Kekkon Song
- Rock 'n' Roll Kenchoushozaichi ~Oboechaina Series~
- Minimoni Kazoe Uta ~Ofuro Version~ / Minimoni Kazoe Uta ~Date Version~
- CRAZY ABOUT YOU
- Mirakururun Grand Purin! / Pi~hyara Kouta
- Lucky Cha Cha Cha!
- Coconuts Musume
- Halation Summer
- DANCE & CHANCE
- Tokonatsu Musume
- Watashi mo "I LOVE YOU"
- Jounetsu Yuki Miraisen
- Morning Musume Single Medley ~Hawaiian~ (Takagi Boo with Morning Musume, Coconuts Musume, Fujimoto Miki, and Ishii Rika)
- Aoiro 7
- 10nin Matsuri
- Happy 7
- 7AIR
Discography
- Mini album
- [2005.05.27] Mika
- Original song
- Roll the Dice[2]
Works
Movies
- [2003.01.21] Minimoni the Movie Okashi na Daibouken!
TV
- Minimoni Chiccha~!
- Brementown Musicians
- Mikeneko Holmes no Hanzaigaku Kouza
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)
Voice Acting
- [2006] Da Jammies
Radio
- Kiss the Coconuts
Theater
- [2001] Love Century -Yume wa Minakerya Hajimaranai- (LOVEセンチュリー -夢はみなけりゃ始まらない-)
- [2003] Edokko Chushingura (江戸っ娘。忠臣蔵)
Promotions
- Dole pineapples
Publications
Books
- [2002] MIKA no Iketeru Eikaiwa (MIKAのイケてる英会話)
Photobooks
- [2001.05.28] Minimoni. Photo Book (ミニモニ。Photo Book)
Essay Books
- [2002-07-??] coconuts Musume. no Tanoshii Hawaii Ryuugaku (ココナッツ娘。の楽しいハワイ留学) (with Ayaka Kimura)
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.
- 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.
- She shares her birthday with Morning Musume's 9th generation member Sayashi Riho and ANGERME's 3rd generation member Sasaki Rikako.
Honorary Titles
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
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Preceded by |
Youngest member of Hello! Project |
Succeeded by |
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Preceded by |
Youngest member of Coconuts Musume |
Succeeded by |
|
Preceded by |
Leader of Minimoni |
Succeeded by |
References
- ↑ Hello! Project magazine Vol.6, summer 1999. Scan
- ↑ Mika Todd fansite (archived)
External Links
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