Net idol (ネットアイドル, Netto aidoru) is a Japanese term that is someone who achieves celebrity status through the internet. Unlike an Internet celebrity, a net idol is more focused on Japanese pop culture.
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History
Net idols emerged as an offshoot of Japanese idols in the late 1990s. The first "cyber idol" or "virtual idol" was Kyoko Date in 1997. She has a fabricated history, statistics, and her own songs. Meanwhile, gravure idols (グラビアアイドル, gurabia aidoru) such as Yoko Matsugane, Rio Natsume and Eiko Koike, net idols themselves, have largely appeared skimpily clad in "cheesecake" photographs.
Net idols by country
International:
- Flusay girls was formed in 2010 as a global online based group. Managed by Nanami Uehara. Since 2010 they have released over 12 singles with an ever-changing line up of members and sub units.
-Crystal Rose: Formerly known as KRP28 was formed in 2014. Their leader, Katana Niara writes original music for the group, containing 20+ members. as of April 2015, they have released 6 original songs
America:
SHEawase: Formerly known as Happy!Project, formed in 2007 as a duo with Melissa Shows and Kristy Valdez. Has currently four members, Melissa Shows, Tara Muchmore, Morgan David, and Maxine Ortner. They have released two original singles and are working on an EP.
Aidolize!: Formerly known as AiUta, first formed in 2011 with three members Carry, Amanda, and Anthony. Disbanded for two years and reformed under Aidolize! Currently has two members in total.
Miki: Started out as a Net Idol back in 2015.
France:
-CHiC!Pro is a French-based net idol group with 3 covers
-Tasaina Project: Formed in 2013 with 21 active members ranging from 6 different generations.
Italy:
-Honey☆Hime: in January 2015 they debuted as J-pop idol cover group in several Anime Convention Stages. They started as three member (Doki, Kanako, Kotomì), then they added Hachi to the group. Now the group is still three members (Kotomì and Hachi left, but they added Puchiko in December 2015). In 2016 they will start producing original songs too.
Philippines:
- Catherine Guittierez a.k.a. Alicia Mayer formerly known as Alicia Bonifacio is a Filipina celebrity. She first gained fame through her personal website containing her sexy photos that eventually led to her acting career and is now a mother-to-be. She was crowned as Miss Internet Philippines and in 2007 Alicia posed for PETA wearing only a bikini made from lettuce as advocacy of veganism and vegetarianism, as well as against animal cruelty. Alicia was voted as sexiest vegetarian in the world on a PETA poll in conjunction with the ad; other stars who were on the same campaign were Pamela Anderson and Maggie Q.