Japanese Actress Maki Horikita announced to retire from the entertainment industry on February 28, 2017. In a statement sent to media from her agent via fax, she expressed her gratitude that “To everyone of you who has taken care of me, thank you for a wonderful 14 years.”
Horikita debuted in 2003 with the movie “Cosmic Rescue” after passing the audition for the film’s heroine role. Since then, she has starred in numerous dramas, movies, and commercials, including hits such as “Always Sanchome no Yuhi” and “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~Ikemen Paradise~”. She married actor Koji Yamamoto in August 2015, and gave birth to her first child in December last year.
Horikita’s statement as below:
“I have decided to leave my career that I’ve had until now.
As a mother, and I am living a very blessed life with my beloved family. With this warmth, I plan to protect this happiness with all of my might.
After discussing with my husband, he has respected my feelings. The two of us will continue to work together to create a family that is full of love.
To all of my fans who have supported me, to everyone who has taken care of me, thank you for a wonderful 14 years.
February 28, 2017
Maki Horikita
Maki Horikita
Maki Horikita (born October 6, 1988) is a Japanese actress. She debuted in 2003, and has starred in numerous Japanese television dramas, television and magazine advertisements, and movies. Horikita’s popular roles include the introverted high school student Nobuko Kotani in Nobuta wo Produce, the cross-dressing sports fan Mizuki Ashiya in Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, and a town doctor during Japan’s post-war era Umeko Shimomura in Umechan Sensei.
On 22 August 2015 Horikita’s management agency announced that she had married actor Koji Yamamoto earlier that day. The couple became close in May 2015 when playing the role of lovers in the theatrical production Arashi ga Oka (Wuthering Heights) and had commenced dating in June. On June 20, 2016, she announced her pregnancy. On December 18, she gave birth to a healthy baby, but the baby’s gender was not revealed to the public. That is what said to be the main reason of her retirement. Even there was a rumor of her retirement after she married.
[Horikita Maki – Irish Dance in Drana]
[“My Little Sweet Pea” trailer (English subtitles) JAPAN CUTS 2014]
