‘My best traits can get me into trouble, so they’re also my worst’

 

Singer and actress Shanty packed her bags and bid adieu to the Indonesian entertainment business in 2010 following her marriage to Ecuadorean banker Sebastian Paredes. Now living in Hong Kong, she spends her time taking care of her 14-month-old son Arjuna. “I’ve been sleep training him,” said Shanty, who in 2011 published a no-holds-barred memoir of her career ups and downs, titled Bongkar Rahasia, Bagi Cerita (Revealing Secrets, Sharing Stories).

 

As a kid, I was ...

A major village-girl tomboy. The kind who liked playing in rice fields and getting mud all over herself.

 

My best trait ...

I’m not pretentious. With me it’s always black or white.

 

And worst ...

My best trait sometimes gets me into trouble. So my best trait is also my worst.

 

The last time I really, really laughed ...

Last night, when my son raised his cute tiny finger and moved it left and right as a sign for “no” to his daddy – a battle of power between my 14-month-old and 51-year-old.

 

And the last time I really cried ...

When my dad passed away.

 

My biggest achievement ...

Fourteen years of a good run in entertainment, a book that I wrote and then building this wonderful family.

 

I would never …

Bungee jump.

 

 

 

People would be surprised to know that I ...

Have stage fright and had to go through therapy for it.

 

My greatest fear ...

Heights.

 

Regrets – I have a few, or too few to mention ...

I regret nothing.

 

The one song I really wish had been mine ...

“The Only Girl in the World” by Rihanna.

 

The talent I wish I had …

Writing songs.

 

My favorite food ...

Sundanese food. Peda fish, sambal terasi, crackers, mixed raw vegetables.

 

And least favorite ...

Fancy French food. Great design, small in portion, challenging in taste. Not my taste.

 

The unforgivable is ...

Any form of betrayal.

 

Don’t ever call me ...

“Banong”, a nickname specially from my brother, because of the large size of my forehead.

 

I miss most about Indonesia ...

The food and that people are not too strung out (as HK people are).

 

And don’t miss in the slightest ...

The horrible traffic and that being unpunctual is considered OK.

 

I wish I could put an end to ...

Poverty.

 

My best teacher has been …

Life.

 

My guilty pleasure ...

Watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

 

Looking at Indonesia from afar, I see ...

A country that is rich in assets and potential but has not been able to reach its maximum potential because of poor management.

 

I always carry with me wherever I go ...

My wedding ring.

 

My most embarrassing moment ...

I have this weird habit of getting into other people’s cars. Happens a lot in Jakarta, and one time it happened in Hong Kong. I was waiting for my car while texting on my BB, a car drove up and stopped in front of me, I automatically thought it was my car, opened the back door and sat down. And the driver looked at me from the mirror, very confused. Then I looked up and realized I was in the wrong car. And I just whispered “oooh, sorry”. And I got out of the car immediately.

 

I wish the world had more ...

Love and compassion.

 

My life motto ...

Live life to the fullest.

 

Remember me as …

A person who was loved and gave meaning to someone’s life at some point. + 

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