A G N E S M O N I C A Having started her singing career at a wee age, music has become an inseparable part of Agnes Monica’s life. Her success both as a singer and an actres has brought her fame, not only in her homeland, Indonesia (where she has won countless music and screen awards), but also in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Moreover, her on-screen collaborations with Jerry Yan (a quarter of the famous F4) and Peter Ho, have opened up doors for greater success in Taiwan, Mainland China, and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. Agnes Monica is one of the fastest rising Asian celebrities; the climbing number of hits on her agnezone.com website bears testimony of her natural superstar energy.
Born into a Chinese-background family in multi-cultural, diverse Indonesia, Agnes grew up immersing herself in the many different cultures and traditions surrounding and existing in her flesh and blood. Over the years, her own-written music has grown on to take in these cultural and traditional influences. Not only that, such exposure to diversity has made it easy for her to incorporate world rhythms into her music. Latin, soul, rhythm and blues, and rap are only some of the highlights that one may listen to in her songs, performed equally-well in Bahasa Indonesia and English. Continuously trying to improve her vocal and piano skills as well as exploring the potential of the Chinese language and culture, the diversity and harmony of Agnes’ existence has made her one of the most versatile and powerful performers around.
Agnes’ keenness in R&B music is not only apparent in her musical preference (she notes Timbaland, Danja, Fantasia, Mary J Blige, Usher, and Beyonce as her favorites and sources of inspiration), but also in her desire to strive for an international career. Recent collaboration with Keith Martin in her last album “Whaddup A…” demonstrated her eagerness, facility and professionalism in teaming-up with international artists to create beautiful, powerful music. In the USA, Agnes is seeking to expand her passion for R&B where the production and market for this type of music is the largest in the world. Her natural attractive Asian looks; her diverse traditional and cultural upbringing; her powerful singing, dancing and acting talents; and her proven quality and continuous progress in R&B music-making… These are key elements for the birth of a new international star…
Away from music and acting, Agnes recognizes the potential of her celebrity status within the community and society. As the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Anti-drug Ambassador to the Asia-Pacific region, Agnes often delivers speeches and campaigns against drug abuse, particularly among youths. Her interest in issues and problems confronting children and youths has also brought her to dedicate time and effort for social and community causes in Indonesia, stating that many lessons can be learned from children and youths. To Agnes, children and youths are the dream of a nation. And what is life without a dream…? What is life without the passionate desire to be better…? In the music business, dreaming big is essential; but for Agnes, this dream is made real by combining it with passion and talent
Chapter one - First touch with the entertainment world
Born in July 1st 1986. She is names Agnes Monica Muljoto. Now, she is well known as Agnes Monica. Even tough she was a child, everyone have recognized that she is different compared to other children. While other children spend their day with playing with others, she already started her hard work. She became a singer and released 3 album called “Si Meong, Yess and Bala-bala”. And not enough with that career she became a presenter in VAN (Video Anak Anteve), Tralala-Trilili in RCTI and Diva Romeo in Trans TV. And her hard work got the prize on 1999 she got an award from Panasonic Awards. She became the most favorite children presenter for her work at tralala trilili and the award she received is not stopping but get more and more every year.
• Chapter two - Being successful
When she was 15 years old, not only she played in a very big hit series called “ Pernikahan Dini ” but also she is trusted to sing the series theme song. The series itself is a big test for her. Because In the series she had to act as a teenager who got married by accident and has a child. This role is surely hard to act because she is only 15. But once again she proves that she is a real actress .As the result for her role in “Pernikahan Dini” series she got 4 awards which are :The most popular drama series by viewers choice and most favorite drama actress in 2001 from Panasonic Awards , then in 2002 she got Most popular drama and again most favorite drama actress. And of course when you become a successful actress you will get lot of gossips around you because of for playing in this series is she is said to be one of the most expensive highly paid actress. The year 2002 surely a very busy year for her, she acted in 3 series “Lupus”, “ Kejarlah Daku Kau Kutangkap” and “ Amanda”. For additional information “Kejarlah Daku kau Kutangkap” is a remake from Indonesia best seller movie. In 2003 it’s a busier year to her. She is not only continuing her acting career but also released an album. Her first adult album called “ the Story Goes”. The album is really shows her mature skill in singing, look at her voice in the song “ Jera”, “ Ku tlah jatuh cinta “ and “ Bilang Saja “ . A lot of big singer help her to made this album, Ahmad Dhani, Abdee Slank and Titi DJ. The series she played in this year are “ Cewekku Jutek” which also included her song “ Indah” for the theme song and “ Kau yang terindah”. In this year she got 1 award from Panasonic Award for Best Actress. Some things just get better with age, like wines or Agnes Monica. In 2004,she become more popular. She played in 2 series “ Bunga Perawan” and “ Cantik”. In addition this year she planned to go international. She started it with winning an award from Planet Music Awards, Singapore for New Female Artist Awards, then get along with that she got 3 more awards from AMI Samsung 2004 for her music career Best duo for her collaboration with Ahmad Dhani, Best singer, and Best dance and techno for her song Bilang Saja plus an award from SCTV Award for her acting in Cantik. In 2005, she released her second album titled ‘ Whaddup A ‘. She said that this album is definitely showing her style. In this album, she collaborate with Us Singer Keith Martin. Although I have to say that “ What They Called Soul mate “ is better than the one that Keith Martin write. This album is a defined success. Her 2 singles Bukan Milikkmu Lagi and Tanpa Kekasihku has became number 1 in MTV AMPUH. Also, in 2006 her 2 international series has aired. Although it created pros and contras. Still this is a great movement from her.
• Chapter three - Her style, Her performances
Nowadays, Agnes Monica has become Indonesia role model. She changes her style so many times. And many people are following her style. From her series Amanda she influence people to use preppy look for their style and then don’t forget about her hairstyle. Because of Amanda series her hairstyle becomes so famous. I have experienced it myself, once when I was in a salon I heard one of the customer said this “ Do you know Amanda style? Well I want my hair to be like her”. Not just for the series, her casual style also influenced people. She usually wears tank top. Now, when you want to try to find a white tank top just ask the shopkeeper” Do you have Agnes Monica tank top?” and they will understand that. Performances. That’s what make people really wait for her. Her performance always perfect. When people decide to watch an artist to perform, they always want the artist performances become perfect includes their style, their voice and as well their communication with the audience. And when you watch Agnes Monica you will get all of that. She always powerful at the stage, singing, dancing she can do both of that perfectly. And not many Indonesian artists who can dance perfectly like American artist such as Britney Spears. Once I remembered she ever sang Britney’s Song called “Me against the Music” and she sang it better than her.
• Chapter Four - Her religious side
One thing that makes people really favor Agnes is because although she is a big actress she never forgets her GOD. Unlike the other actress who likes to hide their religious side, Agnes is not like that. In every awards she accept she never forget to thank her savior JESUS CHRIST. She ver said once: All I got now is from GOD, so I have to return it again to GOD” Well, I think that’s what I can write for now. But I assure you that although this biography is finish but her career is still a long way to go. And this biography will continued when she succeeded entering the international world. Way to go GIRL!!!
Agnes Monica- a Phenomenon and “What a Funky Lady!!!”
• Chapter 5 – Copycat ?
This is a serious issue among people who watch Agnes. Peoples always compare her with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. And sometimes in the interview there’s always this cliché question “how do Agnes feel to be compared with Britney Spears? “. I get tired with this question and I’m really wondering Does Agnes feel the same about the question. I’m saying this not because I’m one of her fans. Being fans doesn’t mean you have to stop criticizing right. STOP COMPARING HER. Peoples have to understand that Agnes Monica is Agnes Monica. What are the thing that made people think she is a copy cat?
CLOTHES
this is the most ridiculous argument that I ever heard. What’s wrong with her clothes by the way ? Because of she is wearing tank top then it means she is copying Britney style ? If you say yes, then I have to say that all the people in Indonesia is Britney Spears impersonator. I believe in every mall you are going to see peoples with tank top. Do they copying Britney style? I don’t think so. For me, the clothes that we wear can not tell others what we are actually like. If you are the one who rate someone based on her clothes. Change it, because you have become a person who rates other against their appearance. I believe everyone have their own right to choose what they wear.
DANCE
this is one of the biggest issue. Agnes said to be a copycat because she also dances. Cliché. again ! What’s wrong about her dance? I think dancing is something that expressing yourself. And everyone free to dance. If Agnes is copying Britney, then all the women in the aerobic class also copying Britney. Since from what I see some of Britney moves contain Aerobic movement.
• Chapter 6 – Go International - Hopeless Dream ??
Agnes has played in 2 international series. One with Peter Ho and the other with Jerry Yan. Well, in my point of view her progress is right. When Agnes decided to go international. It means, she has to let go her superstar status in Indonesia. And she did it.
Accepting that you are nobody in the international world is a must. I’m not telling that you have to be pessimistic. Nope, that’s not what I mean. If you still holding your superstar status, you wont be success. Let’s take a look at Agnes journey first.
In her first international series Romance in the White House she played in several episodes only then in The Hospital she played in more episodes than in the RITWH. If Agnes still holding her status and extremely proud of it, she wont take the chance in the 2 series. Compared to her condition in Indonesia where she always is the leading actress, her appearance in the 2 international series will look so small. But that’s the sacrifice that she has to take. Nobody wont respect her if she doesn’t start from the bottom. And that what she did.
Back to what I write. Why if you still holding the superstar status you won’t be success? Because when you think yourself as a superstar you won’t sacrifice. You will always want to be number one in every situation without realizing that it is an impossible think. Although you are a superstar in Indonesia, you are no one in the international world.
People with narrow minded will think Agnes roles in this 2 series means nothing because she is not the leading role.
So, I don’t think go international is a hopeless dream. It is something that all the actor and actress in Indonesia should have if they want to be success in the international world. And for me, Agnes already has the packages to be successful. And it just a matter of time.
• Chapter 7 – Inspiration
Agnes definitely has a lot of fans nowadays. Why? There is a lot of actress in Indonesia. Why it has to be Agnes Monica? Agnes is a successful teenager. And her thought, her achievement encourage others to do the same. Some of the fans ever told me, that Agnes inspire them. Take sport as an example. Agnes likes to do sport and this thing makes some of her fans doing the same. The way she speak up her mind, it made the fans dare to speak whatever they have in their mind. Her hard work, she definitely has a very busy schedule. But she still managed to do it and not forgetting her education. This thing gives spirit to the fans to do the entire thing that has become their duty and does it rightly.
Agnes Monica – still a phenomenon and a funky lady!
Created by : northern_st4r
www.myspace.com/agnesmonicaofficial
