She steadily gained popularity and was tipped to be one of the most recognized idols after producing a string of Oricon top-5 hits and starring in a few well-received dramas.
Playing opposite Morio Kazama and Nagisa Katahira, Hori's performance drew high ratings.
Her catchphrases in the series: “Instructor!”[3] and “I'm just a slow, clumsy turtle”[4] won the top prizes in the annual Japanese "buzzwords-of-the-year" contest for 1984.
[7][8] However, at the same time, the previous month's edition of Friday romantically linked Hori with musician Tsugutoshi Gotō (who was then married to former singer Midori Kinouchi).
In February 2019, Hori announced that she has stage 4 tongue cancer and tumors on the lymph nodes on the left side of her neck.
Through her blog (and later via her Instagram account, which she opened in August 2022), she provided updates on her voice lessons and speech therapy.
[22][23] On February 27, 2024, Hori announced on her blog and social media that her tongue cancer was declared to be in complete remission, ending the five-year battle.
[24][25] On April 16, 2024, Hori made a post on Instagram announcing her new single, the first new original release after the effects of her oral surgeries, entitled "Fuwari".
[29] On December 11, 2011, she wedded Katsuki Amako (operating officer of SANKYO)[30][31] at a ceremony held at Meiji-Jingu Shrine.