Erika Sawajiri Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Awards, Films, Songs, Husband, Books

Erika Sawajiri is a Japanese actress, singer, and former model who rose to prominence for her compelling performance in the 2005 television drama “1 Litre of Tears,” where she portrayed Aya Ikeuchi, a young girl battling a degenerative disease.

This role brought her fame. Before that, she had already gained recognition as a model and appeared in minor acting roles, but it was the heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth of her performance in “1 Litre of Tears” that made her widely known.

Profile

• Full name: Erika Sawajiri
• Nickname: Kaoru Amane, Erika-sama
• Date of birth: April 8, 1986
• Age: 39 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Profession: Actress, Singer, Model
• Height: 1.61 m
• Parents: Father – Japanese (deceased), Mother – Algerian-French
• Siblings: Two older brothers (one deceased in a traffic accident)
• Spouse: Tsuyoshi Takashiro (divorced)
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Divorced
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: Mixed (Japanese-Algerian-French)
• Net worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Erika Sawajiri was born on April 8, 1986, in Nerima, Tokyo, Japan, to a Japanese father and an Algerian-French mother. Her father owned 16 racehorses, including one named Edonokoban, and her mother managed a Mediterranean restaurant.

Erika is the youngest of three siblings. She experienced significant personal loss early in life: her father passed away from cancer when she was in her third year of junior high school, and her second eldest brother died in a traffic accident during her first year of high school.

Raised in Tokyo, Erika is of mixed Japanese and Algerian-French descent. She attended local schools in Tokyo and later enrolled in Horikoshi High School, known for producing several Japanese celebrities. Although the exact date of her graduation is not publicly known, she pursued her education while balancing her early entry into modelling and acting.

Personal Life

Erika Sawajiri married Japanese media creator Tsuyoshi Takashiro on January 20, 2009. The two met in 2007 and maintained a high-profile relationship that garnered significant media attention.

However, their marriage was short-lived and fraught with difficulties. By December 28, 2013, they finalized their divorce. Erika publicly admitted to having been unfaithful during the marriage and later stated that she had never truly loved her ex-husband. She has no children.

Her personal life has often been in the media, mainly due to the controversies surrounding her behaviour and relationships. There have been multiple reports of her being involved in high-profile affairs and partying scandals, especially during her hiatus from acting.

Career

Erika began her career in the entertainment industry as a model in 1999, working for teen fashion magazines such as “Nicola” and “CUTiE.” She gradually moved into television, securing minor roles before landing a breakthrough role in the 2005 drama “1 Litre of Tears,” where she portrayed Aya Ikeuchi, a young girl battling a degenerative disease.

Her portrayal earned her national acclaim and firmly established her as a serious actress. Following this, she starred in multiple dramas and films, including “Taiyou no Uta” (2006), where she also made her singing debut under the name Kaoru Amane. Her debut single, “Taiyou no Uta,” became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Oricon charts.

She also appeared in films such as “Closed Note” (2007) and “Helter Skelter” (2012), the latter being particularly controversial due to its mature themes. Despite her promising career, Erika frequently took breaks due to personal issues and controversies. Her public image became increasingly polarizing, leading to periods of career stagnation.

She returned occasionally with strong performances but never fully regained the consistent stardom she once held. In 2019, her career took a major hit when she was arrested on drug charges. Since then, she has remained mostly out of the spotlight.

Awards

• Best Actress – Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (2005) – 1 Litre of Tears
• Best Actress – Television Drama Academy Award (2005) – 1 Litre of Tears
• Newcomer Award – Elan d’Or Awards (2007)
• Most Popular Actress – TVnavi Drama Awards (2006)
• Best Actress – Hochi Film Award (2012) – Helter Skelter

Net Worth

Erika Sawajiri’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. She earned her wealth primarily through her acting roles in television dramas and films, music sales, endorsements, and modelling.

Controversy

Erika Sawajiri has been one of Japan’s most controversial entertainers, drawing significant media attention not only for her talent but also for her erratic behaviour and legal troubles. Her public controversies began as early as 2007, during the promotion of her film “Closed Note.”

At the press conference, her uncooperative and dismissive attitude shocked the Japanese public and media. She gave short, uninterested responses and appeared visibly annoyed during interviews, which led to widespread criticism and a temporary suspension from her management agency.

Following the backlash, she issued an apology, but the damage to her reputation was considerable. This incident led to a series of erratic public appearances and inconsistent behaviour.

Reports began to surface about her late-night partying, drug use, and involvement with various high-profile men in Japan’s nightlife scene.

In 2011, a Japanese magazine published photos of her allegedly using drugs and attending wild parties in Ibiza, Spain. Although not officially charged at the time, the rumours had a severe impact on her public image.

She attempted a comeback with her acclaimed performance in “Helter Skelter” (2012), where she portrayed a troubled model undergoing extreme cosmetic surgery. The most significant scandal occurred in November 2019 when Tokyo police arrested Erika for possession of MDMA.

She later admitted during investigations that she had been using illegal drugs for over ten years. Her arrest led to her immediate termination from her management agency, Avex Management, and the cancellation of her upcoming projects, including a lead role in NHK’s Taiga drama “Kirin ga Kuru.”

Social Media

• Instagram: @horoyoi_erika
• X: N/A

Filmography

• 1 Litre of Tears
• Taiyou no Uta
• Closed Note
• Pacchigi!
• Helter Skelter
• Shinobi: Heart Under Blade
• Ghost Train
• Break Through!
• Shindo
• The Wolves of the East

Discography

• Taiyou no Uta
• Free
• Fantasy
• Time to Go Home
• ESCAPE
• Destination Nowhere

Books

• Erika