JP/Triwik Kurniasari

Starting her career as DJ for MTV on Sky (now MTV Sky) radio, her name became famous when she landed a job as an MTV VJ, dubbed as one of the coolest jobs by young people.

Her ability to speak Mandarin, something that she learned during her childhood while living in Hong Kong and China, adds her credibility.

Resigning from MTV in 2005, the Madagascar-born woman was flooded with offers to host TV shows.

Her popularity also led her to star in some movies in various genres, including in 30 Hari Mencari Cinta (30 Days to Find Love), Mirror, Belahan Jiwa (Soul Mate), Heart, Kamulah Satu-satunya (You’re the Only One), Get Married and Get Married 2.

As an actress, Nirina received several awards, including the Indonesian Film Festival Award in 2006 and the 2008 Indonesian Movie Award — both for best actress.

Not long after she tied the knot with guitarist Ernest Fardian Sjarif of pop rock band Cokelat in April 2010 and became pregnant, her face seemed to disappear.

After almost two years off the radar, the 31-year-old is back, starring in commercials for baby and skin care products and has taken up a role as a brand ambassador for a hair care product alongside singer Anggun, model Mariana Renata, actress and emcee Marissa Nasution and singer Rossa. She also starred in love flick Purple Love and in Monty Tiwa’s recently released comedy film Get Married 3.

On a sideline of an event held by a hair product, the woman, whose real name is Nirina Raudhatul Jannah, said she has been busy with her new role as the mother of her 18-month-old girl, named Zivara Ruciragati Sjarif, born in February last year.

“I was busy taking care of my baby at home. It was quite stressing for me because I did everything by myself,” Nirina said. “I did not hire a baby sitter. When Ernest went to work, there was only me and my baby at home.”

She excitedly discussed her motherhood experience.

“I sometimes did not take a shower for a whole day or put on any makeup because I had to always be ready to breast-feed my baby when she was crying,” she explained with smile.

“I thought that taking a shower was time-wasting. Maybe it’s because I worried about my baby and concentrated too much on her.”

There was a time when she left her daughter to take a shower and came back to the baby room to find her daughter had rolled out of the bed. “She was fine, but I felt very guilty. From that moment on, I did not want to be away from her.”

During her break, many people asked her why she never appeared on camera. Some even said that nobody wanted to hire her anymore since she tied the knot and had a baby.

“I understand now that when you are married and have a child, you have a choice of not making a comeback.

“It’s all about choices. I don’t care what people might say about me as long as I’m happy with my little family. I’m happy for having a child so I think this is more important.”

With her latest “comeback”, Nirina said it was not her decision.

In the beginning, she wanted to concentrate on taking care of her baby and planned on waiting until Zivara was at least 2 years old before returning to the entertainment business.

“But it was Pak Parwez [Starvision’s Chand Parwez Servia] who encouraged me to make showbiz comeback,” Nirina says.

Parwez came to offer her to play in love story Purple Love, alongside members of pop band Ungu.

She first refused since she wanted to enjoy her new role as a mom. “But Pak Parwez kept on pursuing me to take part in the flick, telling me the role really suited me. I later asked my hubby and he suggested that to take a look at the story.”

It turned out she liked the script and decided to go for it.

For her comeback, she admitted it was not easy since she had to pay attention not only taking care of her body, but also updating her clothing collection.

“I was so engrossed staying at home and taking care of my daughter that I forgot to think about myself. I realized that this was time to take care of myself,” she says.

“[During my break] I preferred wearing a loose house dress because it’s comfy. It was my best friend before I realized the clothes in my closet were out of date,” Nirina said.

Leaving her daughter was not an issue, as Nirina takes her everywhere.

“We’re a whole package now,” she says, chuckling. “I even take her on the set. It does not bother me at all because if I leave her at home, I would be thinking of her all the time and would not be able to concentrate on my work.”

She confessed that being a mom has made her more mature. She has determined to put at least 50 percent of her income into savings for the sake of her daughter and even decided to use a financial counselor to help manage her finances.

She says she has felt the benefit of saving money early on. Even as a diplomat’s daughter, Nirina did not get everything she wanted so easily.

When she went to university in late 1990s, she only had Rp 100,000 (then about US$6) pocket money per month.

“If, for instance, I wanted to have a cell phone, my dad would tell me, ‘Go get it by yourself’,” Nirina explained.

Getting back in the showbiz, Nirina said she would take everything slow and easy. Since her comeback, Nirina has played in two movies, Purple Love and Get Married 3.

While in Purple Love she stars as a woman, who works at a self-motivation agency and falls for her client, in Get Married 3 she plays as a busy mom with triplet alongside prominent actors like Meriam Bellina, Ringgo Agus Rahman, Deddy “Desta” Mahendra, the irrepressible Aming and Fedi Nuril.

For her, her family comes first. Before taking any offer, she will always check whether the production house or TV station would provide a special non-smoking room for her daughter.

“It’s not that I’m trying to be a diva or what, but literally I want my baby to be safe,” she says.

“I’m in the stage where I’m really enjoying my life. So, I will do something that makes me, my daughter and my family happy.”

“If the money is good, but it looks like the job depresses me, I will not go for it. I prefer small things that make me happy.”

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