'I would like to be a politician in the future'

Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Sophia Latjuba is a Jill of many trades in the entertainment world. She has been a singer, soap actress, TV show host, interviewer (she gave a famously tender grilling to Soeharto crony Mohamad "Bob" Hasan from his prison cell for METROTV) and plugs everything from bath soap to traditional medicine.

Divorced from musician Indra Lesmana and the mother of a daughter, Sophia was raised in her mother's homeland of Germany but returned to her father's native Indonesia in her teens. Her good looks and her sometimes controversial career decisions have made her the subject of much gossip, but it's doubtful that the 31 year old gives her critics a second thought.

If you had the choice, what would you be doing right now?

What would I be doing, ummm? Still doing what I'm doing now. But in showbiz half of the time, and half of the time traveling. That would be perfect. One month working, one month traveling.

Which trait do you most like about yourself?

I forgive and forget easily.

And deplore?

I'm too emotional.

Whom do you admire?

God, I don't know. I've never had an idol.

What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

Casual, definitely. Casual but sexy, but then again it depends on my mood. Sometimes I like to dress conservatively, the British style, and then I like to go around with a knapsack and jeans and sneakers.

Do you believe in God?

Yes, very much.

But are you religious or spiritual?

I'm spiritual. Whenever I have a problem, I go to God.

What makes you angry?

People who I work with who are not at the same level as me. Unprofessional people. That really makes me angry. A makeup artist who's not good in his job, or a photographer who doesn't know what he's doing. I hate stupid people, sorry!

I get angry but I don't show it. I go through somebody else.

If you had to live on a desert island for one year and were only allowed to take three things with you, what would they be?

My mobile phone, a television and a very good, thick book.

What makes you laugh?

Humor. I like sarcastic humor. People always call me Ms. Sarcastic. Here, you always have to point out to people that you've been sarcastic, or they don't get it. "Oops, sorry, I was just being sarcastic."

What do you think of all the gossip about you?

I don't really care. Maybe it's because they don't have anything else to do. That's their problem.

What is more important in a man, looks or personality?

Personality. I see a lot of good-looking guys, but then they open their mouths, and I say, "get out of here!" At the end of the day, you have to cuddle up with a guy and talk with him, communication is so important ... If a guy doesn't have personality and charm and intelligence, then a woman can lose respect.

What makes you cry?

Starving children, starving people, all the misery around the world. And a sad movie. When I'm very, very angry, I cry. But when it comes to acting, I find it difficult to cry. They have to yell at me to get me to do it!

What was the last book you read?

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jarret Diamond. Right now I'm trying to read more non-fiction.

What is your favorite food?

Indian food.

And favorite song?

Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House, and the Simple Minds song from The Breakfast Club. All those '80s tunes.

If there was something you could change about your appearance, what would it be?

I would love to be a bit taller (she's 174 cm). Give me four centimeters more. We always want more in our lives.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Bram Stoker's Dracula and Gladiator.

Do you believe in destiny, or do we make our own destiny?

Both. Everything is for a reason, but we play a part in it. In the end, though, it's always up to Him.

Do you ever worry about your weight?

I'm always watching it. I watch what I eat, I work out every day. I eat what I want, I just don't combine food. So, no rice or bread with meat.

Do you have any regrets?

No, no. But then I might be saying that to make myself feel better! (laughs)

What is your proudest achievement?

Having a daughter and raising her.

What will you be doing 20 years from now?

I hope to have a happy family, more kids, a beautiful husband.

Would you still be in show business?

No, no. I want to go to school again. It would depend on whether school went right or not.

How would you want people to remember you?

As loving and smart. It always upsets me when people don't want to talk to me because of who I am.

Do you hate the stereotype that pretty women are stupid?

Yes, but in showbiz, the camera is on you 24 hours a day, so you can prove that you are not. But it's hard. People always look at pretty women as not very smart, so you have to do double to prove them wrong.

What profession would you be in if you weren't an entertainer?

I might be in politics.

So, that might be in your future?

I hope so. Not business, I'm not a business person, I'm not good at dealing with people. I'd do foreign affairs, or the environment.

What's the cost of being famous?

The usual, your private life. It's Ok, though, you get used to it. But, always be yourself. Don't ever turn into somebody you're not, or what people want you to be. Sometimes, people want you to be beautiful all the time, and you can't be a perfect "10" every minute. Be a normal person. Sometimes, people come up to me, and they say, "You're normal". For me, that's a compliment.