Maudy Ayunda Apologises After Mindfulness Content Deemed 'Tone Deaf'
JAKARTA – Actress and singer Maudy Ayunda has issued a clarification and an apology after her content ‘Mindfulness Amid Bad News’ was criticised for being tone deaf. In a statement pinned to the video’s comment section, Maudy acknowledged that stepping away from negative news is part of a privilege that not everyone in society can afford.
“Being able to step away from the news is itself a privilege. Not everyone has that choice, especially when what is happening has a direct impact on their lives, families, work, or communities. I apologise for not reflecting enough on this part in the video,” Maudy said, quoted on Tuesday (15/9/2026).
She explained that when she made the video, she was actually sharing a personal reflection on how she could remain caring and stay informed about current events while also looking after herself so she could be more meaningfully present. For Maudy, the recent situation has been deeply frustrating.
“The forest fires and haze, the earthquake disaster, the various policies and programmes that miss the mark and directly affect the public, and the many other equally important issues. This is an incredibly difficult time, especially for those directly affected,” Maudy said.
She said she does not want mindfulness to become an excuse for indifference or for distancing oneself from reality, let alone a call to stay silent or to act as if everything is fine.
“On the contrary, mindfulness allows me to see cause and effect clearly, helps us remain caring and present, and stay sensitive to what those affected are experiencing,” she said.
As reported, the ‘Mindfulness Amid Bad News’ content uploaded by Maudy on 21 August 2026 on her YouTube channel was inundated with criticism. Many netizens considered the call for mindfulness logically flawed given the string of crises unfolding in Indonesia.
One netizen argued that Maudy has long lived comfortably in her own bubble without truly understanding that what she regards as “bad news” is the bitter reality many people must face.
“This content is not wrong in theory, but it is more suited to casual conversation among those unaffected by government policies and natural disasters. She seems to still be trying to sort out her own life, but is unaware of her closeness to those in power, or that she has always lived comfortably,” the netizen wrote in a comment.