| The last time Mari Iijima made an appearance on U.S. television was
on the Pacific Blue series in December of 1999. Iijima is next set for
a small role on a MTV soap opera in the next few months where she's playing
an 18-year-old woman. Iijima made comments about that role and other hopes
for the future on Saturday at Nan Desu Kan. Iijima had spoken the previous
day about the amont of time she studies acting, and continues to look for
roles. |
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| "Because I look a little younger than my real age, my agent can't submit
me for those parts for my real age," Iijima said. Add in Iijima's slight
Japanese accent and the shortage of film and TV acting roles for Asian
women, and film parts can be tough to find, she said. But how does she
stay so young looking? She doesn't eat meat, exercises and washes her face
before she goes to be for the night. |
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| Most of the songs that Iijima performs are her own compositions. The
ideas can come anytime, when she's cleaning her house or in the shower,
or when she sits down at the keyboard. "The best songs that I've written
just naturally come to my brain," she said. Iijima next performs at the
Genghis Cohen club in Los Angeles in November. |
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| After 1999's "No Limit," Iijima is working on what she calls an "organic
rock album" and has hopes of more independent albums for the future. When
she was asked about her favorite actors, Iijima mentioned Morgan Freeman,
then turned to Tim Robbins: "He married Susan Sarandon. She was older and
had children, but he didn't care - I'm looking for someone like that."
Iijima, of course, was referring to her status, unmarried and with two
sons to care for. |
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