‘Everybody needs a friend to listen to them’

Alvin Adam says he learned to be a good listener from his father, who taught him and his two brothers through discussion. The University of Indonesia law graduate and former model–actor brings that personal touch to his popular talk show Just Alvin, where celebrities open up to him about their lives and careers. “I want to show that entertainment news has value, and I give space to celebrities to tell their side of the story,” says Alvin, 40, who released a book of his pick of interviews on the second anniversary of the show in November.

Childhood ambition ...

I always wanted to be a newsreader, getting to wear a suit. They seemed so smart, speaking so articulately ... And I also never wanted to cause any bother to my parents. So after my dad died when I was 11 and my mother moved the family to Jakarta, I would edit or write people’s papers for them to earn money. We learned to be independent.

An embarrassing experience ...

I was working as a floor supervisor at the Hilton Hotel at night, and studying in the day. I handled a lot of celebrities such as Cory Aquino, Claudia Schiffer and David Copperfield. When Margaret Thatcher came I was so proud of myself, too proud, being able to serve this brilliant although intimidating woman. I accidentally turned the special key in the elevator for the penthouse the wrong way and that sent her back to the ground floor. She looked really annoyed, but I apologized. I learned a lot from that. Don’t be overexcited, don’t be too proud of yourself.

The difference between celebrities and ordinary people ...

We’re all people, and we all have things that we don’t want to reveal in public; it’s just that they are on TV. So how do we get them to be open? You can only do that by showing them the true nature of your heart. That’s what I do, to speak to them from the heart, using empathy. I want to be sincere with them. Because everybody needs a friend to listen to them … And I never judge anyone, I don’t have the right.

What I would ask myself ...

What are you looking for?

My answer ...

I’m still looking for it! (laughs)

Friends are ...

Life is about friends to me. Everybody can be my friend. But I also have the quality ones. It’s all about how we think about people. If we think someone is good, then they will be good. It’s clichéd to say, but if we make life difficult, then it will be difficult. If we look at it with happiness and positivity, then it will be happy. Trust me – been there, done that. My career has been slow but sure, and all of it has been achieved through networking.

My best trait ...

Sincerity. I learned that from my parents, especially my father. My mother would also say, “You are so like your dad.”

And worst ...

I want so many things in life. But I also believe I can achieve them. The thing is I always try to take care of everything myself, putting on the finishing touch. I am a real perfectionist.

I cry at ...

Anything to do with my late mom. I loved her so much. Whenever there are tough times I talk to her. She is always in my heart, and I know I am in hers.

And laugh at ...

Seeing people happy. Especially my nieces and nephews. And also my dogs, with their different personalities.

I relax ...

With yoga and meditation. I love it. When I wake up, I thank God for giving me another day of health and a chance to work. Before I go to sleep I do the same again. Both my parents died of cancer, and I know disease comes from our way of thinking. You create your own problems with negative thinking. And every month I also make a point of getting out of Jakarta.

Dream interview ...

Ibu Ani [Yudhoyono]. She must be so interesting; she’s human, behind all the criticism of her husband ... I believe it would be one of my best interviews.

Life motto ...

Today is today. Do your best today, for a better tomorrow.

Back to The top page