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inger and actress Jelita “Acha” Septriasa rose to stardom after 2006’s Heart with then-boyfriend Irwansyah and actress Nirina Zubir.

She says becoming a celebrity was beyond her imagination. But, the 21-year-old admits she now enjoys putting on the make-up and dyeing her hair.

“I still study in Malaysia, so I spend most of my time there. I like doing radio broadcasting with other Indonesian students. We do a live streaming broadcast on our website. Sometimes, I become the guest star, but all too often I decide to do things that are more technical.

After becoming a celebrity, putting on make-up is an obligation, which I have started to enjoy. My old sporting hobbies have not changed though. I still like playing futsal, basketball, swimming and cycling.

My friends and I usually play futsal on Friday evening and any other occasions when we gather and want to play. My futsal friends are mostly boys, but sometimes some girlfriends will come to cheer us on.

I have been playing since I was in junior high. When I was a child I grew up seeing my brother playing soccer and I eventually joined him by playing the sport.

I am really into sports. I could swim when I was only one because my mother put me in the swimming pool very early. Playing basketball is another hobby for me. I even had a chance to become a basketball captain when I was in high school.

Here, I notice that cool hangout spots have started to pop up everywhere.

During weekends in Malaysia, I usually go to a café or watch movies with my friends. I actually like having spa days but I still prefer to go in Indonesia.

Malaysia’s spa treatments are not as good as in our country. The massage is too soft. In Indonesia, the therapist will wholeheartedly rub our skin during a body scrub treatment.

If I have a long holiday, I will spend it exploring areas outside Indonesia. I once escaped to Los Angeles for a week holiday. On another occasion I went to Florida.

Somehow, I am not interested in the discounts offered by shopping malls in Jakarta because I think the prices are still too high. Abroad, the sale really offers big discounts. They are offered at really low prices.

However, I still like to accompany my friends to shop in Jakarta because I can witness the ambience and excitement of the shoppers.

— As told to Indah Setiawati