Anggun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anggun
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Anggun in 2014
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Anggun Cipta Sasmi
29 April 1974 Jakarta, Indonesia
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| Other names | Anggun C. Sasmi |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
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Michel Georgea
(m. 1992; div. 1999)Olivier Maury
(m. 2004; div. 2006)Cyril Montana
(m. 2010; div. 2015)Christian Kretschmar
(m. 2018) |
| Children | 1 |
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Anggun Cipta Sasmi (born 29 April 1974), known as Anggun, is a famous Indonesian-French singer, songwriter, and TV star. Born in Jakarta, she started performing when she was only seven years old. By the time she was a teenager in 1989, she was a famous rock star in Indonesia. Her song "Mimpi" was named one of the 150 Greatest Indonesian Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.
In 1994, Anggun moved from Indonesia to Europe to build an international career. She settled in France and recorded her first international album, Snow on the Sahara (1997). The album was a huge success, selling over a million copies in 33 countries. Since then, she has released many more albums in both English and French. Her songs have appeared on the Billboard music charts in the United States and Europe. In 2012, she represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Echo (You and I)".
Anggun has also been a judge on popular TV talent shows like Asia's Got Talent, The X Factor in Indonesia, and Masked Singer in France. She has acted in movies and TV shows, including the American series Reacher. She has also been a global ambassador for the United Nations, working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help fight world hunger.
Anggun is one of the best-selling Asian artists outside of Asia. She was the first Indonesian artist to have hit songs on European and American music charts. She has won many awards, including a World Music Award and the prestigious Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government. She also has a wax figure at the Madame Tussauds museum, making her the first Indonesian woman to receive this honor.
Contents
Life and Career
1974–1993: A Young Star in Indonesia
Anggun was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 29, 1974. Her father was a writer and her mother was from a royal family. Her name means "grace born of a dream." From a young age, her father trained her to be a singer and songwriter.
When she was nine, Anggun recorded her first children's album. As a teenager, she fell in love with rock music and became a rock singer. In 1986, she released her first studio album, Dunia Aku Punya. She became famous in 1989 with her hit single "Mimpi". She released several more successful albums and became one of Indonesia's biggest stars. By the age of 19, she had already sold over four million albums. But Anggun dreamed of sharing her music with the whole world.
1994–1999: International Success with Snow on the Sahara
In 1994, Anggun moved to London to start her international career. It was a difficult time, but she didn't give up. She later moved to Paris, France, where she met the famous producer Erick Benzi. He was impressed with her talent and offered her a record deal.
In 1997, Anggun released her first French album, Au nom de la lune. The first single, "La neige au Sahara," became a big hit in France. The English version of the album, Snow on the Sahara, was released in 33 countries. The title song, "Snow on the Sahara", became a worldwide hit. It was especially popular in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The album sold over 1.5 million copies, making Anggun an international star.
2000–2009: New Albums and Global Recognition
In 2000, Anggun released her second international album, Chrysalis. The single "Still Reminds Me" was a hit across Asia and Europe. She also performed at a special Christmas concert at the Vatican. Over the next few years, she worked with many famous artists, including Italian rock star Piero Pelù and the band Deep Forest. She also recorded the soundtrack for the Danish movie Open Hearts (2002).
In 2005, Anggun released the album Luminescence. The single "Saviour" was featured in the hit movie Transporter 2. The album was very successful, especially in France. For her achievements, the French government awarded her the title of Chevalier des Arts et Lettres, which is a great honor for an artist.
Her next album, Elevation (2008), mixed pop with hip-hop music. It featured the rapper Pras Michel from the group Fugees. The album was very popular in Indonesia and Russia. During this time, Anggun also became an ambassador for the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), helping to raise awareness about world hunger.
2010–2016: Eurovision and Talent Shows
In 2011, Anggun released the album Echoes, which she produced herself. The album was a huge success in Indonesia, selling quadruple platinum. The following year, she was chosen to represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. She performed her song "Echo (You and I)" for millions of viewers across Europe.
In 2013, Anggun became a judge on the first season of X Factor Indonesia. Her fun and supportive personality made her a fan favorite. In 2014, she was a judge on Indonesia's Got Talent. The next year, she joined the judging panel of Asia's Got Talent alongside music producer David Foster and singer Melanie C from the Spice Girls.
In 2015, she released her French album Toujours un ailleurs. The album was a success in France and Belgium. It featured a duet with her mentor, Florent Pagny, and the Grammy-winning singer Angélique Kidjo.
2017–Present: New Music and Acting
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Anggun released her album 8 in 2017. The singles "What We Remember" and "The Good Is Back" became hits on the Billboard Dance Club Chart in the United States. In 2018, she performed at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta.
She continued her work on television, serving as a judge on The Voice Indonesia and the French version of Mask Singer. She also began to focus more on acting. She appeared in the French TV movie Coup de foudre à Bangkok (2020) and provided the voice for the character Virana in the French version of the Disney movie Raya and the Last Dragon (2021).
In 2023, Anggun starred in the French musical Al Capone. In 2024, she played the role of Mary Magdalene in a major Italian production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. She also appeared in the American TV series Reacher.
Artistry and Voice
Anggun has a powerful and soulful contralto voice. A contralto is the lowest singing voice for a female. Music critics have described her voice as unique and full of emotion. She started her career as a rock singer in Indonesia but later explored different styles like pop, world music, and R&B.
She is influenced by a wide range of artists, from rock bands like Metallica to pop icons like Madonna and classic singers like Billie Holiday. Anggun is also a talented songwriter and plays the piano. She often includes traditional Indonesian dance movements in her performances, showing pride in her heritage.
Charity Work
Anggun is known for her charity work. Since 1997, she has supported many causes, including helping people with AIDS and protecting the environment.
Her most important role has been as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. In this role, she travels the world to speak out against hunger. She has performed at UN events and worked on campaigns to help feed people in need. She believes it is important to use her fame to make a positive difference in the world.
Personal Life
Anggun became a French citizen in 2000 but still considers herself Indonesian. She has a daughter named Kirana, who was born in 2007. In 2018, she married her husband, Christian Kretschmar, who is a musician and photographer. Besides her native Indonesian, Anggun speaks fluent French and English.
Discography
Indonesian Studio Albums
- Dunia Aku Punya (1986)
- Anak Putih Abu Abu (1991)
- Nocturno (1992)
- Anggun C. Sasmi... Lah!!! (1993)
French Studio Albums
- Au nom de la lune (1997)
- Désirs contraires (2000)
- Luminescence (2005)
- Élévation (2008)
- Échos (2011)
- Toujours un ailleurs (2015)
English Studio Albums
- Snow on the Sahara (1997)
- Chrysalis (2000)
- Luminescence (2005)
- Elevation (2008)
- Echoes (2011)
- 8 (2017)
Filmography
- Earth (2007): as narrator
- Raya and the Last Dragon (2021): as Virana (French voice)
- Coup de foudre à Bangkok (2020): as Maleen
- Reacher (2025): as Amisha Hoth
Television Judging
- X Factor Indonesia (2013)
- Indonesia's Got Talent (2014)
- Asia's Got Talent (2015–2019)
- The Voice Indonesia (2018)
- Mask Singer (France) (2019–2022, 2024)
Images for kids
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Anggun at the Taormina Film Fest in 2013.
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Anggun in concert at Le Trianon, Paris in June 2012.
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Anggun in Paris, France, on 25 April 2015.
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See also
In Spanish: Anggun para niños
