'I am forgiving and not resentful'
'I am forgiving and not resentful'
Popularly known as Iis Dahlia, Iis Laeliyah, 29, is an icon of
the country's dangdut music industry who further boosts her
popularity by belting out Indian duets with singer Ashraff. Now,
the single mother of two-and-half-year-old Salsadilla Juwita --
her child with former husband Dadang Indrajaya -- has a new plan:
to release a new album where she will sing a dangdut song in
English. She talked recently to The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri
Hastuti on matters close to her life.
What characteristic do you like about yourself?
I am a forgiving and not resentful person even if I am deeply
hurt by someone. Not everybody is like that, I thank God for
this. I believe it is God who will repay for the pain people have
done to me.
What makes you sad?
I am sensitive in things related to my family. I was really,
really sad when my father passed away in 1993. At that time, I
had not given a lot to my parents, although I know they would
never have asked me. One of my obsessions is that I want to make
my family happy.
I am also sad whenever I see my daughter. I feel really sorry
for her because I cannot be like other mothers who totally take
care their children or spend time with them. However, I try to
balance this guilty feeling by believing that what I do outside
the house, leaving her at home, is only for her good.
How do you see a true friendship?
My comment may sound like a cliche but I think there is no
other answer: friendship is something that we should develop
sincerely with other people. We share good and bad times. My
manager now is my best friend.
What three things would you carry with you to a deserted
island?
Sunblock, sunglasses and a bikini so I can enjoy the beauty of
the island. It would be a waste if we go that far and not enjoy
anything.
What things do you always carry with you?
My cellular phone and wallet. I can't live without the
telephone. If I don't bring it, it as if half of my soul is
missing since I use it to call my daughter and my friends.
What would you do if you had other choices?
I would like to stay at home with my daughter. I feel so sorry
for not being around her anytime she wants to do something with
me, like eating, taking a bath. Just anything. I realize I spend
more time outside the house while she has to stay with her baby
sitter and my younger sister. We don't have the luxury of time
for both of us. I only hope that one day if we have saved enough
for her future, I can stay at home with her, watch her grow up.
It could possibly happen later when she starts school. Right now,
she still goes to preschool.
Is there anything that you regret?
One thing that I cannot stop regretting is my failure to hold
on to my marriage. I feel very sorry for that.
As you said, you are very busy, do you still read books?
Yes, if the books are really interesting. The last book I read
was Cara Berfikir Positif (How to Think Positively). The book is
very helpful but it is a really thick one.
Do you watch movies too?
I am crazy about movies. I don't want to watch VCDs (video
compact discs) because that is not fun. Watching films can
refresh me. My friends regularly inform me of good films so I
often rush to Plaza Senayan or Planet Hollywood if I still have
two or three hours before shooting or working.
What is the last movie you watched?
Vertical Limit and Cast Away.
And your favorite movie?
Philadelphia. I don't know, I like Tom Hanks. As a Hollywood
star, he is not handsome but he has such a strong character. In
his last movie, Cast Away, he practically plays alone but people
are still glued to the screen. I think it's because of his good
acting.
But, then I think that if we were paid as high as he is, we
would probably be able to perform like him. Gaining or losing
weight just for several scenes.
What is your favorite song?
I am a dangdut singer but I enjoy pop music, I like Vina
Panduwinata's Aku Cinta Padamu (I Love You). The song is very
beautiful. So beautiful that anybody can sing it and it stays
pleasant to listen to.
What is your favorite food?
Anything that is hot and spicy, including rujak (fruit salad)
and bakso (meat ball soup). If I am dizzy, Helen (her manager)
knows what to do. I eat spicy rujak and bakso and my dizziness
will go away.
What would you do if you had the power to rule a country?
I would help people. I would contact my friends who own big
businesses to give projects to the people so they can work and
earn money for themselves. It's collusion but for good aims. I
have a business friend, who often feels pity for his ex-girl
friend so he sends her some money. One day, I took him for a ride
and at a set of traffic lights, I said, "look, those are people
(beggars) you should have pity for."
Do you have any plans to change your appearance? Plastic
surgery maybe?
As a singer I have to be able to update my appearance but it
does not mean a permanent change, just for shows. Fortunately, I
am not the kind of person who dares to make drastic changes to my
appearance. I think we are more beautiful naturally. I believe in
God and what He has given to us is the best for us. I mean no
offense to celebrities who have had plastic surgery, this is just
how I see it. Some of my friends tell me to have a little
treatment on my eyes but I say I don't have the guts to do that.
How do you want to be remembered?
For Salsa, I want her to remember me as a mother who taught
her good lessons. I want to be the first person to show her how
to pray so that later on, whenever she prays, she will always
remember that her prayers were taught to her by her mother.
Popularly known as Iis Dahlia, Iis Laeliyah, 29, is an icon of
the country's dangdut music industry who further boosts her
popularity by belting out Indian duets with singer Ashraff. Now,
the single mother of two-and-half-year-old Salsadilla Juwita --
her child with former husband Dadang Indrajaya -- has a new plan:
to release a new album where she will sing a dangdut song in
English. She talked recently to The Jakarta Post's Emmy Fitri
Hastuti on matters close to her life.
What characteristic do you like about yourself?
I am a forgiving and not resentful person even if I am deeply
hurt by someone. Not everybody is like that, I thank God for
this. I believe it is God who will repay for the pain people have
done to me.
What makes you sad?
I am sensitive in things related to my family. I was really,
really sad when my father passed away in 1993. At that time, I
had not given a lot to my parents, although I know they would
never have asked me. One of my obsessions is that I want to make
my family happy.
I am also sad whenever I see my daughter. I feel really sorry
for her because I cannot be like other mothers who totally take
care their children or spend time with them. However, I try to
balance this guilty feeling by believing that what I do outside
the house, leaving her at home, is only for her good.
How do you see a true friendship?
My comment may sound like a cliche but I think there is no
other answer: friendship is something that we should develop
sincerely with other people. We share good and bad times. My
manager now is my best friend.
What three things would you carry with you to a deserted
island?
Sunblock, sunglasses and a bikini so I can enjoy the beauty of
the island. It would be a waste if we go that far and not enjoy
anything.
What things do you always carry with you?
My cellular phone and wallet. I can't live without the
telephone. If I don't bring it, it as if half of my soul is
missing since I use it to call my daughter and my friends.
What would you do if you had other choices?
I would like to stay at home with my daughter. I feel so sorry
for not being around her anytime she wants to do something with
me, like eating, taking a bath. Just anything. I realize I spend
more time outside the house while she has to stay with her baby
sitter and my younger sister. We don't have the luxury of time
for both of us. I only hope that one day if we have saved enough
for her future, I can stay at home with her, watch her grow up.
It could possibly happen later when she starts school. Right now,
she still goes to preschool.
Is there anything that you regret?
One thing that I cannot stop regretting is my failure to hold
on to my marriage. I feel very sorry for that.
As you said, you are very busy, do you still read books?
Yes, if the books are really interesting. The last book I read
was Cara Berfikir Positif (How to Think Positively). The book is
very helpful but it is a really thick one.
Do you watch movies too?
I am crazy about movies. I don't want to watch VCDs (video
compact discs) because that is not fun. Watching films can
refresh me. My friends regularly inform me of good films so I
often rush to Plaza Senayan or Planet Hollywood if I still have
two or three hours before shooting or working.
What is the last movie you watched?
Vertical Limit and Cast Away.
And your favorite movie?
Philadelphia. I don't know, I like Tom Hanks. As a Hollywood
star, he is not handsome but he has such a strong character. In
his last movie, Cast Away, he practically plays alone but people
are still glued to the screen. I think it's because of his good
acting.
But, then I think that if we were paid as high as he is, we
would probably be able to perform like him. Gaining or losing
weight just for several scenes.
What is your favorite song?
I am a dangdut singer but I enjoy pop music, I like Vina
Panduwinata's Aku Cinta Padamu (I Love You). The song is very
beautiful. So beautiful that anybody can sing it and it stays
pleasant to listen to.
What is your favorite food?
Anything that is hot and spicy, including rujak (fruit salad)
and bakso (meat ball soup). If I am dizzy, Helen (her manager)
knows what to do. I eat spicy rujak and bakso and my dizziness
will go away.
What would you do if you had the power to rule a country?
I would help people. I would contact my friends who own big
businesses to give projects to the people so they can work and
earn money for themselves. It's collusion but for good aims. I
have a business friend, who often feels pity for his ex-girl
friend so he sends her some money. One day, I took him for a ride
and at a set of traffic lights, I said, "look, those are people
(beggars) you should have pity for."
Do you have any plans to change your appearance? Plastic
surgery maybe?
As a singer I have to be able to update my appearance but it
does not mean a permanent change, just for shows. Fortunately, I
am not the kind of person who dares to make drastic changes to my
appearance. I think we are more beautiful naturally. I believe in
God and what He has given to us is the best for us. I mean no
offense to celebrities who have had plastic surgery, this is just
how I see it. Some of my friends tell me to have a little
treatment on my eyes but I say I don't have the guts to do that.
How do you want to be remembered?
For Salsa, I want her to remember me as a mother who taught
her good lessons. I want to be the first person to show her how
to pray so that later on, whenever she prays, she will always
remember that her prayers were taught to her by her mother.