Olivia Hussey and Akira Fuse: Complete Relationship Timeline from Tokyo to California
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
By late 1978, Olivia Hussey had exited her seven-year marriage to American actor and singer Dean Paul Martin, with whom she shared a young son, Alexander. Eager to expand her international engagements, Hussey accepted an invitation to serve as the face of a major beauty campaign for Japanese cosmetics giant Kanebo. Such corporate endorsements in Asia offered Western actors lucrative contracts with minimal exposure in domestic American markets.
The Kanebo marketing rollout hinged on an unforgettable musical hook. The brand contracted Akira Fuse, an established crooner whose soaring vocal range had made him a household name through hits like "Cyclamen no Kaori." For the 1979 campaign, Fuse recorded "Kimi wa Bara Yori Utsukushii" ("You Are More Beautiful Than a Rose"). The track became an absolute radio phenomenon across Japan.
When Hussey arrived in Tokyo for promotional filming and press events, Fuse was assigned to greet and work alongside her. The creative chemistry was instantaneous. Though neither spoke the other's native language fluently in those early weeks, friends and staff recalled that their mutual appreciation transcended standard promotional obligations. By early 1980, the Japanese entertainment press realized that the collaboration had evolved into a serious, globe-spanning courtship.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
