Good morning from Bali, Anggun. We are so excited to welcome you to The Meru Sanur for NYE ‘24 to ’25. We’d love to ask you a few questions about your incredible journey in life…
Can we touch upon your early life and early journey?
Growing up in Jakarta and starting your music career at such a young age, how did your upbringing shape the artist you’ve become today?
You’re the fruit of your childhood, the joys and sorrows of your youth, and the joyful or challenging experiences of your early years. As a child star, I grew up under the public eye. I had a unique, iconoclastic childhood, where I experienced the frenzy of success at a very early age. A lot of stress on my shoulders for a child, but it makes you mature faster because you’re facing an adult world.
What inspired your bold decision to leave Indonesia in 1994 and pursue an international career in France?
Success makes you comfortable, too comfortable. I have an adventurous temperament. What became of my goal? More gold records in Indonesia, more hits, more concerts? I couldn’t see the challenge any more. By starting from scratch in Europe, I was putting myself in danger, I had to get out of my comfort zone, revisit my certainties because I was nobody. There were no open doors waiting for me; I was faced with a cruel truth that I had to face up to through conviction and hard work alone.
What were the biggest challenges and joys of transitioning to life and work in Paris?
Paris is a magnificent city, a museum city. Social interactions are very different from those in Indonesia. When I arrived in Paris, I learned to say “no” with a straight face (laughs). That’s a very Parisian attitude (laughs).
Now can we focus on your musical career?
“Mimpi”, your first hit, is considered one of the greatest Indonesian songs of all time. How did it feel to have such a milestone early in your career?
I’m very proud to see this song being sung by new generations. It’s very moving to see teenagers singing the song I used to sing when I was their age. This song is part of the Indonesian collective unconscious, and that’s the most beautiful thing for an artist: a song that has a cultural impact and that the public takes from you, never to give it back.
With the phenomenal global success of Snow on the Sahara, what do you think made it resonate so deeply across so many countries?
In this song, there are Indonesian influences that were totally new to a Western audience. Even though it’s an addictive pop song, the poetry that emanates from it, its mystery, its Javanese influences make it very unique to the ears of millions of people. It’s a song that touched the heart.
Your voice is described as “deep, husky, and soulful.” How did you develop your signature vocal style, and what influences guided you?
It’s totally natural, a gift. I don’t work on my voice, I don’t take singing lessons. My vocal technique is totally intuitive.
You’ve worked with legends like Julio Iglesias, Peter Gabriel, and Celine Dion. Which collaboration was the most memorable, and why?
It would be terrible for me to say which moment is my favorite. To have shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli, Ce?line Dion or Peter Gabriel is a gift for any artist. I’m very lucky.
As a mother and global figure can we take a look at your broader impact?
You’ve achieved so many “firsts” as an Indonesian artist breaking into Western markets. What does that representation mean to you personally?
I’m often told that I’m “humble” when it comes to my international achievements. But I will tell you that I am still shocked and saddened that I still hold certain records even though I achieved them in the early 2000s, and that the music market is still not as open to Indonesian artists as I
would have hoped. I’m happy to see the emerging success of Nikki, who is very talented. I say to all Indonesian artists: don’t be afraid, your talent can reach other countries outside Asia. If I’ve succeeded, there’s no reason why it can’t happen again.
As a humanitarian, a UN ambassador and advocate for various causes, how do you balance your artistic career with your passion for philanthropy?
Success itself is useless. Apart from feeding a personal ego, it serves no purpose. Fame doesn’t give you anything. What gives you power is using that fame, that popularity, to convey a message. So if my role as an Indonesian artist with a global audience has a purpose, it’s to be a voice for the voiceless.
Can we chat about your legacy, inspiration, and your advice to the youth of today?
What drives you to keep innovating and succeeding across so many fields, from music to business to TV?
Here again, I hate standing still. Being able to step out of my comfort zone, by entering the world of acting for example, where I shot a feature film directed by the talented Wegras (to be released in 2025/2026), or having starred in an international detective series, leads me to rework myself, and to “think outside the box”. Being an international judge for Asia’s Got Talent, a judge for Mask Singer in France or Star Maker in Belgium is a new and very fun stage in my career.
What advice would you give to aspiring Indonesian artists aiming to achieve global recognition?
Never doubt yourself, and above all keep your uniqueness, your asperity, and don’t try to imitate what’s being done elsewhere, because audiences will always prefer the original to the copy. What will set you apart is what makes the public listen.
Finally, looking forward…
With such an incredible career so far, what excites you most about the future – both personally and professionally?
I’d really like to continue in cinema. This recent experience with Wregas has challenged and moved me enormously. I can’t wait to show this film at festivals.
We are thrilled to have you in Bali, and hope you are enjoying the scents, flavours and of course the sounds of Bali. Thank you for your time!
Thank you and can’t wait to return to beautiful Bali.
IG: @anggun_cipta
Images ©: April Earth
Link to buy tickets or more information: https://linktr.ee/newyearsserenadewithanggun