‘The craziest thing I did was to leave Indonesia’

The Jakarta Post - WEEKENDER   |  Fri, 02/20/2009 5:55 PM  |  20/20

During a packed weeklong promotion tour for her new album Elevation in late January, Anggun Cipta Sasmi was “counting the days” for her return to her Paris home and daughter Kirana, now 14 months old. “But it’s just part of my work,” says the 34-year-old singer, who expects more visits to Indonesia this year in another role promoting dairy products for an osteoporosis education campaign. That professional attitude and work ethic took her from beret-wearing Indonesian teenage phenom to one of the most successful Asian entertainers in Europe (America has been a harder market to crack). Anggun attributes that initial success with her breakout hit Snow on the Sahara to timing, saying her voice and look met the criteria for the times. Still, she is clearly proud of how she has been embraced by her adopted homeland. “They respect that I have never lost my Indonesian qualities, but that I speak French even if the accent is always there. It’s exotic to them. And I think they’re touched that I really want to learn about the country and culture.”

My childhood was …
Very busy with piano lessons and studying singing with Papa [artist Darto Singo]. The house always was full of guests, because my father always had friends coming for advice. I just knew them as friends of my father, but when I was older I knew that all of these people who came to visit were famous. It was a rich atmosphere, cultural and intellectual.

My best trait …
I can always forgive.

So nothing is unforgivable?
We’re all human, we all make mistakes. But that doesn’t mean we forget. It’s about being tolerant.

And worst trait …
I’m obstinate, but that can be a good thing.

What makes you laugh?
My daughter.

And cry?
It can be a brilliant book. And injustice.

I would never  …
I don’t know that yet …

At 20 I was …
Arrogant and ambitious. And willing ...

When I’m bad …
I’m a pain.

My biggest fashion faux pas?
Never had one [laughs].

The most Indonesian part of me …
That I can laugh in any situation.

And French …
I get very impatient.

The love of my life …
Kirana and her dad [writer Cyril Montana].

I was happiest when …
First breast-feeding my child.

Craziest thing I’ve done …
Leaving Indonesia.

If I had stayed, I would be …
Probably acting in a sinetron [TV drama] or working as an ambassador for some detergent.

I’m inspired by …
Paintings and music always.

When people mispronounce my name, I
Let it go. It’s OK, I have weird names.

I’m proudest of …
The fact that my daughter prefers rice more than anything.

When the going gets tough, I …
Call Kirana’s dad. He always has the right words.

Regrets …
No, nothing, and will never have. Hopefully.

Favorite movie …
Jungle Book. When it first came out I liked the feeling that the characters could talk.

And book …
There are a few. They’re all in French. But I also love Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. It’s very nice and beautiful and controlled and crazy. A must have.

Talent I wish I had …
To paint.

My biggest fear …
Losing the people I love.

If I could change one thing about the world …
End hunger, in a broader meaning that also extends to money, power. Because when you don’t have food, that is the motivation for all types of crime.

Best piece of advice from me …
Do not believe in your own promotion!

+ Bruce Emond
Illustration by Martin Dima

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