‘Don’t stay in your little cubicle, see the world’

Although a travel lover raised in Bali, actress and TV host Cathy Sharon is now an urbanite through living in Jakarta. A trip last year to the remote jungles of North Sumatra made a challenging and refreshing change. “It was a life-changing experience, I learned so much about the wild,” says Cathy, who with her sister, Julie Estelle, is an ambassador for protecting orangutan. The Indonesian-French actress loves beaches, Bieber (shhh) and her buddies, but is no fan of men with nasty nails, as she reveals here.

My best trait

I should ask my sister! Don’t know if it’s my best, because it can have its downside, but I’m very laidback, I just go with the flow. Don’t bother me, and I won’t bother you. Maybe because I grew up by the sea.

And worst ...

Very unorganized. If I didn’t have my management and my assistant, I would be so lost.

I’m bored by …

A monotonous life. If everything becomes a daily routine – work-traffic-eat-sleep – I get so bored and stressed out. I have to do things to spice up my life. I will say to friends, let’s go for a weekend in Gili, or Perth. Don’t stay in your little cubicle, go and travel see the world, open your mind. I don’t like narrow-minded people. Most of them are very pretentious (laughs).

I would never …

Bungee jump. Or sky dive. If it was a do-or-die question between the two, then I have to say I would bungee jump but not sky dive.

Friends are …

The best part of my day. It’s just me and my sister living here in Jakarta, so friends really count for the both of us. They are my family without being blood.

I hate …

Mushrooms! Pollution, that gray, black air.

And love …

First thing that comes to mind is my family, and then my job. It opens so many doors for me, not only financially and in giving me a passion for something I do, but it also helps me make a change in the world. It’s easier when you are a public figure.

In 10 years I want to be ...

Happily married with kids. And a philanthropist. I’m not too ambitious.

I am proudest of …

Getting my friends involved in the things I do, including my two foundations. We go to disaster areas, and they say, “Cathy, I’m so glad you took me. I’ve never seen so many things like that.” They feel so grateful for that. Thankfully my friends are positive and open-minded people. I’m proud of changing other people’s viewpoints.

Favorite food …

First place, Japanese, second Padang, and then French. Got light, heavy and then something in between.

If I could change one thing about myself …

Love one day to be able to use my diary. I buy one every year, but I use it on and off. I would like to make more use of it.

And the world …

For people to be more educated, positively driven and less selfish. I think a lot of people, especially city people, become so self-centered, they only think about themselves and their families and they don’t think about others.

Favorite thing in a man …

Courtesy as a gentleman, you know it from the way he carries himself. He doesn’t have to be Brad Pitt, but to have that courtesy.

And least favorite …

Dirty nails.

Don’t ever call me ...

An airhead! Speak for yourself!

Somebody I would really like to have dinner with …

Mahatma Gandhi. So much wisdom and insight into the future. Or the Dalai Lama.

One living or one dead.

Regrets …

No, my motto is don’t have regrets, they only slow you down.

The role I would like to play …

I would really like to see in Indonesia a sci-fi movie, I don’t know if we are ready for it. But it would be interesting to see how an Indonesian does it.

The talent I wish I had …

I wish I could do ballroom dancing. Between singing and ballroom dancing, dancing it’s so much harder. So intricate and interesting. I wish I could pull it off.

Guilty pleasure …

Being lazy when I don’t have work. And listening to Justin Bieber.

Tomorrow brings …

A lot of mysteries. I don’t know who or what I will end up with, but I just believe it will be positive. + Bruce Emond

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