沢尻エリカ

Erika Sawajiri (沢尻 エリカ, Sawajiri Erika, born April 8, 1986) is a Japanese actress, singer, and model. She is best known for her performance in the fiction Japanese television drama 1 Litre of Tears (2005), playing the role of a girl who suffered from the intractable disease spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD). She won Best Newcomer at the 29th Japan Academy Film Prize for her role as an ethnic Korean girl living in Japan in Kazuyuki Izutsu's Break Through! (Pacchigi!) and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 36th Japan Academy Film Prize for her performance in Helter Skelter. On September 10, 2010, it was announced that Sawajiri had signed with Avex label for talent management and music releases. She was previously managed by the Stardust Promotion talent agency until her contract was terminated in late 2009, and was affiliated with Sony Music Entertainment Japan for her early recording career, recording under the name Kaoru Amane and, later, simply Erika.