Anggun

Anggun Cipta Sasmi, born on 29 April 1974 in Jakarta, is an accomplished Indonesian-French singer, songwriter, and TV personality. Her passion for music began at an early age, and by nine, she had already recorded a children’s album. The year 1989 marked her rise as a rock sensation, and by 1993, she had a collection of five albums in her native language. Her single “Mimpi” earned a spot on Rolling Stone’s 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time list.

In 1994, Anggun relocated to England, seeking a broader audience for her talent. Later, settling in France, she released her breakthrough international album, Snow on the Sahara (1997), which graced shelves in 33 countries and sold over a million copies globally. Anggun’s musical journey expanded with six more studio albums in both English and French and a soundtrack for the Danish film Open Hearts (2002). Tracks like “Snow on the Sahara”, “What We Remember”, and “Perfect World” made their mark on the U.S. Billboard charts. Moreover, “In Your Mind”, “Saviour”, and “I’ll Be Alright” were hits on the European Billboard charts. Anggun represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with “Echo (You and I)”.

Beyond music, Anggun became a popular TV figure, judging on Indonesian adaptations of The X Factor, Got Talent, and The Voice. She also served on panels for Asia’s Got Talent, France’s Masked Singer, and Belgium’s StarMaker. Anggun showcased her acting talents in the musical theater Al Capone (2023), the film Coup de foudre à Bangkok (2020), and TV series Profession Comédien (2021). Beyond the entertainment sphere, she became a global ambassador for the United Nations twice, championing the International Year of Microcredit in 2005 and the Food and Agriculture Organization in 2009.

With her albums gaining gold and platinum status in parts of Europe, Anggun stands as one of Asia’s most successful exports in the music world. She made history as the first Indonesian artist to chart in Europe and America. Her incredible journey has earned her numerous honors, including France’s Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, the World Music Award, and the Asian Television Award. Furthering her legacy, Anggun is the first Indonesian woman to be celebrated with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.