Currently, fans are following the relationship between Charlie Heaton and Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer, but in the '80s the actor had a controversial relationship with an older woman, and the couple had a child together. So who is the star's mysterious ex? She's certainly very different from Heaton's current girlfriend.

Akiko Is A Well-Known UK Musician

Akiko Matsuura was born in Osaka, Japan in 1994. The daughter of hardworking parents who owned a restaurant, the young girl was often left to her own devices.

After watching a series about a female drummer who was in a boy band, Akiko decided she wanted to become a percussionist too. Initially learning the piano, she started drum lessons when she was 10.

By the time her parents relocated to London six years later, she was proficient as both pianist and drummer, as well as able to prepare everything on the menu of her parent’s eatery.

Akiko completed her high school education in the UK, before moving on to Art school in her adoptive country.

It was while she was an art student that she became entrenched in the music scene.

A chance meeting at a party led to Akiko forming her own band. After meeting guitarist Simon Petrovich, the two started a punk rock band which they called Comanechi. The band had a hard time taking off, and later, Akiko took the step of joining the art rock band, Pre, as their drummer.

RELATED: Stranger Things Stars Who Are Also Musicians

Before long, Akiko took center stage as the band’s lead singer as well as the drummer. Audiences loved watching her performing stage dives in her underwear, and Pre attracted attention wherever they appeared.

With the hype of Akiko's stage antics and the bizarre image she created with her awkward jumping, Pre went on to be named Best New Act at the NME Shockwave awards. The award saw them being booked to open for famous acts like Muse and Florence & The Machine.

It was a big moment for Akiko and her parents when Pre performed in Osaka in 2009. Unfortunately, they later fell out, when her antics proved to be too shocking for her conservative parents to handle.

Although Akiko stayed on with Pre, she put the money she made towards Comanechi’s first album, Crime of Love. The band still has a cult following in the UK.

Charlie Heaton Joined Akiko’s Band

It was during this time that Charlie Heaton, who played Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, joined the British Noise rock band. At the time, Heaton was not yet known as an actor, and he was working as a musician.

Although he was almost 14 years younger than Akiko, the two soon became romantically involved and went on to have a son together.

The couple split up just a few months after their son was born. The relationship has drawn much criticism, with many saying the older musician groomed the young Heaton. Yet the fact that they had a son together was only revealed many years later.

RELATED: Doja Cat Exposed For Sliding Into DMs Of 17-Year Old ‘Stranger Things’ Star

The news broke around the time Heaton was arrested after being caught with cocaine in his bag at LAX airport in 2018.

RELATED: The Truth About Charlie Heaton's Secret Child

Since then, Charlie has gone on to become famous for his role as Jonathan in the series Stranger Things, which is currently in its fourth season.

Although the two are no longer together, Akiko and Heaton maintain an amicable relationship for the sake of their son, Archie, who was born in 2014. Although Heaton spends most of his time in Los Angeles, he travels to the UK when he can, to spend time with his child.

Akiko Is Still Performing Today

Charlie's ex has never stopped performing. The musician has gone on to feature in a number of other U.K bands. In addition to stints with Glasgow band Divorce, she is also involved with a group called Sperm Javelin.

Currently, she is well known as the drummer for the electronic rock band The Big Pink. She's also happy to be able to put her art studies to good use, designing the band’s merchandise, as well as doing all their other artwork.

Akiko’s multiple appearances have led to a net worth of $1 Million. But that's not the most important thing for her. In a 2010 interview with The List, she said while she enjoys the fame her career has brought her, it’s more important for her to make good music.