Ai Takahashi

高橋愛 (Takahashi Ai) is a Japanese singer, actress and model managed by UP-FRONT CREATE. She is best known as a former leader and 5th generation member of Morning Musume. and Hello! Project and as a former member of Minimoni.. She first joined Morning Musume. in 2001 through the 5th generation auditions. In 2007, Takahashi became the leader of Morning Musume. and Hello! Project, and in 2009, she became the longest-serving Morning Musume. leader. When she graduated on September 30, 2011, she passed both leadership positions to fellow 5th generation member Niigaki Risa. Since her graduation from Hello! Project, Takahashi has focused on acting and modeling and has since become known as a fashion icon.