‘I’m trying to be more forgiving’

Before today’s onslaught of Eurasian TV poppets with ear-curdling accents, Tamara Bleszinski was working away very nicely at her own entertainment career. She parlayed her chiseled looks (from a Polish father and Sundanese mother) into success as a model and actress in TV and theater productions. Reportedly the highest-paid TV actress in the mid-2000s, when she was voted the country’s most popular small-screen star, she has mostly stayed out of the spotlight after a messy 2007 divorce that kept the infotainment mill churning. Now shuttling between Jakarta and Malaysia, where she is in postproduction on a movie for regional release later this year, and preparing for a new TV series at home, the 33-year-old discusses why regrets are not worth the effort and learning to laugh at life’s twists and turns.

My mood right now.
Relaxed.
My best trait …
Maybe it has changed. Right now, I see the world in a very comic way. Because sometimes life is not always what you expect it to be, so when it gets too hard you have to see it in a comic way. That’s how I am improving myself.
And worst …
I’m too impatient.
I would never …
Regret anything that happened in my life. Because it’s all interesting.
Don’t assume that I’m …
Perfect.
Friends describe me as …
Full of surprises.
Favorite food …
I’m into Korean food right now.
Extreme food for me is …
Maybe something like rabbit. I don’t feel disgusted by it as much as I feel sorry for the animals.
Biggest everyday irritant …
Traffic. It’s getting worse – such a waste of time.
Love is …
Complicated.
The happiest time of my life …
Well, at Lebaran when all my family gets together. And when it’s Christmas we go to the other side of my family who is Christian.
I cry at …
When was the last time I cried? … I don’t really cry that much. I’ve had enough of crying.
The unforgivable is …
Basically, I was like that once [unforgiving]. But now I realize people make mistakes, and it happens in certain circumstances. I’m trying to be more forgiving.
My favorite journey …
India – it’s fascinating, interesting and complex.
People would be surprised to know that …
I’m actually quite funny. Like I said, sometimes in a bad situation I can still find humor in it.
Top song …
I don’t have one really. I would say U2.
Movie I love …
It sounds funny, but it’s Zoolander. I love that film.
Favorite book …
Conversation with God by Neale Donald Walsch, it’s really interesting.
Can’t live without …
A good steak. I love food.
Best piece of advice I ever received …
Move on.
Favorite Jakarta hangout …
Dragonfly or Red Square. Because they’re different and there is variety about them.
When the going gets tough, I …
Keep on going.
The biggest problem for the world today …
Not enough love.
Dream dinner guests …
I would say my late dad, and Brad Pitt, because would like to introduce him to my dad. Maybe we’d go to a Sundanese restaurant, have pepes (fish and other dishes steamed in banana leaves) and sit in a traditional-style pavilion.
I want to die …
Happy.

+ Bruce Emond
Illustration by Martin Dima

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