She debuted as a member of Bachicco!, a local idol unit based on Okayama and Kagawa Prefectures.
In April 2007, she renamed into Ai Kawanaka (河中 あい) when she moved to an agency.
On 8 August 2010, Kawanaka married actor Yoshihiko Hakamada.
[4] On 18 February 2011, Kawanaka gave birth to a girl and became their first child.
In 2012, Kawanaka joins Space Craft Entertainment and returned as a "Mama Tarento".