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GARNiDELiA Vocalist MARiA Reports Her Agency Has Not Paid Her Wages

Following the September 2 announcement of Japanese pop rock duo GARNiDELiA's indefinite hiatus, GARNiDELiA vocalist Mai “MARiA” Mizuhashi reported that she had not been paid for her work for several years.

MARiA's full statement is below:

I apologize for surprising and worrying you with this sudden announcement.
I don't want to leave my fans and those involved in this situation confused, so I would like to explain what is currently happening and what has happened.
Firstly, I have come to the realization through a third party that my agency has not officially paid me for my activities over the past few years. I believe there are instances when payments were not made at all.
I thought it was strange, and of course I wanted to believe my agency, but the atmosphere wasn't conducive to expressing my opinion, and I was also scared, so I couldn't even check.
These past few years have been so hectic I would lose consciousness, and when I returned to a hotel, tears would flow uncontrollably from my eyes.
I think I was in an environment that was making me lose my mind.
Even so, I emptied my mind, stopped thinking, and just kept going–performing, filming, and standing on stage.
When I was on stage, my fans gave me courage and energy. Thank you so much.
During this time, the president [of my agency] would criticize me, saying things like, “Your attitude is strange,” and “What are you trying to do?” At that time, I was reaching my physical and mental limits, so last year I asked to have my schedule adjusted and even asked to quit at the end of the year.
I was mentally and physically pushed to the edge by continuing under this system. Reaching my limit, I personally sent a notice of termination to the agency through my lawyer this past August.
As for why I didn't do this alongside the other GARNiDELiA member, honestly, I couldn't trust any of the staff around me.
I was afraid the president might find out, so I couldn't even consult with anyone.
Looking back, I think things had been falling apart for quite some time.
As for GARNiDELiA, I wanted to have a proper discussion away from the agency's supervision to consider our future. But that wasn't possible, so I was trying to figure out what to do in my own way.
Then this sudden announcement came, and I was shocked and very sad.
I believed we could take a new step forward together.
But I imagine Toku has his own feelings too.
He didn't engage in fighting between us members, so I would appreciate it if you refrained from using abusive or offensive language against him.

MARiA's statement follows GARNiDELiA composer Yoshinori “toku” Abe's announcement that the duo will be going on indefinite hiatus. In his statement, toku expressed his gratitude to GARNiDELiA fans and noted the music he made with MARiA is a “treasure in our lives.” The composer also announced the GARNiDELiA stellacage tour 2025 [PROGRESS] tour has been canceled and further information regarding ticket refunds will be available in the future.

Sources: MARiA's X/Twitter account (link 2) via Hachima Kikō, GARNiDELiA's website