久住小春

Early Life

Koharu Kusumi was born in Ojimaya, Washima Village, located in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Growing up in a rural neighborhood, she was raised in a family with her parents, an older sister, and an older brother. Her interest in modeling sparked during her elementary school years, influenced by magazines like CanCam. Before her rise to fame, she showcased her leadership skills as the captain of her school's volleyball team.

Career

Kusumi's career took off in 2005 when she auditioned for the iconic Japanese idol group Morning Musume after noticing an audition call in a magazine. With her sister's encouragement, she secretly auditioned, performing "As a Person" by Tomomi Kahara and later singing "Furusato" during the final audition. Her selection as the only seventh generation member earned her the nickname "Miracle" from producer Tsunku. She debuted with the single "Iroppoi Jirettai" and became a founding member of Hello! Project's kickball team, Metro Rabbits H.P., in 2006.

In April 2006, Kusumi was cast as Kirari Tsukishima in the anime adaptation of "Kirarin Revolution," where she voiced the main character and released several singles under that persona, including "Koi Kana" and "Happy Happy Sunday!" Her crossover appearances on television and concerts solidified her status as a pioneer of the idol voice actor crossover phenomenon, which gained popularity in the late 2000s. Throughout her career, she also collaborated with other cast members in music groups like Kira Pika and MilkyWay, further expanding her artistic reach.