‘Good-looking people can be very rotten inside’

Handsome young actors come and go, but Ari Wibowo, one of the most famous actor-models of the 1990s, is a survivor in the fickle world of entertainment. Still youthfully good-looking at age 41, the Indonesian–German father of two keeps active by staying fit, racing motorbikes and starring in TV series and movies.

As a kid I was ...

Imaginative. I could play with my toys by myself for hours. And independent. I started earning money on my own from a young age because we didn’t come from a well-to-do family. If it wasn’t Christmas, I had to buy what I wanted myself.

Me, in short …

An extroverted-appearing introvert. In my job, I have to meet a lot of people, be good at socializing, and yet I know I am an introvert. I’m shy and very protective of my privacy.

My best trait ...

Contentment. It sounds simple but most people aren’t content with their lives or what they have. Look down, rather than up, but in a good way. If you keep looking up at what others have, then you will never feel you have enough.

And worst …

I can be selfish. And in certain areas I am not as self-confident as I would like to be.

Good looks are …

Deceiving. We’re surrounded by good-looking people in the entertainment business. So many times I see that good-looking guys and beautiful women can be very rotten inside. That’s human nature. Because of that, I don’t really appreciate looks as much as others. For me, looks can be a blessing and a curse. People are nice to you and give you more attention. But it’s a curse when people notice your behavior more, especially when you don’t treat people according to their expectations. That is when they call you arrogant.

In tough times, I …

Try a new approach and try harder. But never give up, because then however far you have already gone would be for nothing … Unless it’s a sinking ship, and then you have to jump.

I’m proudest of …

My children. They are so loving and adorable. I wasn’t as a child. I didn’t like it if my mother tried to kiss me. That was my character. My kids on the other hand always want to give love. It’s something so beautiful. I regret I didn’t show that to my mother.

If I could change something about myself …

Nothing. Sure, there were times when I was a jerk, when I made mistakes. We change because of the good and bad things in life. They make us stronger and more mature. But I could have lived without the three car accidents I had.

And the world …

Let’s be less greedy. It’s all about money now when we meet somebody: what you do, what you wear, where you live. It’s getting too much. We need to value and respect people for what they are and their personality. People with morality, who don’t push others down to become successful, are being pushed aside.

I would never …

Deceive anyone in business. That is what I despise the most, because it happened to me.

I am driven by …

Not much. I am an easy-going guy. I don’t rush into things.

The most German thing about me …

The most un-German thing is I don’t like beer! It would have to be I love currywurst and sausages. Must be pork though. Beef or chicken sausages – it’s just not right!

And Indonesian thing …

Modesty. That is not very German. I don’t want to stand out, because I am mixed anyway. It was a problem when I was in Germany. Having Asian blood there was different from having German blood here in the 1970s and ’80s. I was looked down upon in Germany. When I moved here, I was bullied as well because I was different. That’s what kids do. I dealt with it by doing tae kwon do and fighting back. You have to stand up to bullies.

Best thing about getting older …

Only one thing – experience. It helps you in making decisions in life. Everything else deteriorates.

Biggest extravagance …

Motorcycles. It’s the thrill of being able to balance yourself at a leaning angle and feeling the wind and the sun. You’re one with nature. Free.

The most beautiful part of a woman …

Physically, the neck area. I like sophisticated women, I don’t like the typical American big-boobs type. But I am quite lucky because I married the woman I wanted.

My hero …

Not wanting to sound clichéd, but it’s my wife. She’s a very hard-working housewife who takes care of me and my children beautifully.

My life motto …

Slowly but surely. + Bruce Emond

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