Ai Takabe won the Gravure Award at the 10th Japan Bishōjo Contest in August 2004. The following month, she joined Bishōjo Club 31 (美少女クラブ31), an idol group composed of Japan Bishōjo Contest winners (8th through 10th). In May 2005, she won the Grand Prix award at the 1st Miss WPB Contest. Takabe's first acting role was in the 2006 P&G Pantene Drama Special True Love. She played a lacrosse player and acted alongside Yui Aragaki. Next, she played small roles in Gachi Baka, Teru Teru Ashita, Shimokita Sundays, and Kosodate no Tensai. In October 2007, she played a supporting character in the TV series Flight Panic. Watch drama online for free.