中島美嘉 (Mika Nakashima), born February 19, 1983, had dreamed of becoming a singer since she was a child. She decided not to attend high school, and pursued her dream in a musical career.
The very first demo-tape she sent to a record company had given her the chance. She was chosen out of 3000 girls, as the heroine of the 2001 fall season drama, "Kizudarake no Love Song (Scarred Love Song)" of the Fuji TV station. In November, she made her sensational debut from Sony Music Associated Records, with the song "STARS", which was also the theme song of the drama.
Her second single "CRESCENT MOON", a groovy track with an 80's flavor, was the limited product of 100,000 copies only. Amazingly, it sold out the first day of its release.
In March of 2002 she released her third single "ONE SURVIVE" (which received great feedback) and her first video "FILM LOTUS", in May her 4th single "HELPLESS RAIN", in August her 5th single "WILL" was released, tying-up to the sales of over 200,000 and Top Ten hits.

In December of 2006, Mika released "Hitoiro" for the NANA 2 movie under the name "NANA starring MIKA NAKASHIMA," as well as a NANA album titled "THE END," marking the conclusion of her association with NANA.

Making some cover version of some English songs, such as Amazing Grace, The Rose, and What a Wonderful World, is another kind of single that Mika
does.

Mika's newest single I DON'T KNOW, which she released in her collaboration project MICA 3 CHU, was released September 23rd and she has a single planned to be released November 12th.

Apart from singing and sometimes modeling, Mika's been involved in several commercial campaigns including Kanebo Cosmetics (Kate- in five years!), Meiji food products (Boda, Galbo, Fran), sony(Hi-MD Walkman) ,Rohto (Zi-Q), Freixenet(Sentory).