Anggun Cipta Sasmi

Anggun Cipta Sasmi (April 29, 1974, Jakarta, Indonesia) is a singer. Her name means "Grace born out of a dream".

Biography

At a young age, Anggun decided to become an entertainer like her father, Darto Singo. During her early years, she was influenced with rock sound by listening to native Javanese artists and the rock & roll icon, Elvis Presley. She was educated in Catholic schools because her father wanted Anggun to have high quality education. Anggun began performing at age 7 and recorded her first album two years later. By the time Anggun was 17, she was a successful national rock star. Anggun began to feel unsatisfied with her success in Asia and at 19, she left Indonesia in hopes of breaking through in the European music charts. Anggun and her first husband moved first to London, then moved to Paris, France where Anggun met music producer Erick Benzi. Benzi was quite impressed by Anggun's talent and immediately offered to work with her on her new album. Benzi persuaded Anggun to move away from her original rock influences and experiment with more sensual and romantic sound. Anggun's smooth new style would prove an immediate success in France. Her first French album, ''Au Nom de la Lune'' not only skyrocketed Anggun to fame in France, the album was also a major hit in her native country, Indonesia. Her second album ''Desirs Contraires'' proved to be a worldwide hit as well.In 1998, Anggun toured in the Lilith Fair with Sarah McLachlan and other musicians. And in 2000, Anggun received an invitation from the Vatican asking her to perform at a Christmas concert where she sang her rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" for the Pope, John Paul II.Her duet with an Italian rockstar, Piero PelA, entitled ''Amore Immaginato'' reached #1 in the National Italian Airplay Charts for over two months. Anggun was also part of the charity driven project ''Gaia''. During one of the many extensive tours Anggun had done throughout Asia, she met her first husband Michel Georgea, a French engineer in Borneo. At first Anggun's parents did not approve her marriage but they finally relented. Eventually Anggun and Michel got divorced and Anggun is now married to Oliver Maury, a Canadian.Anggun is now fluent in French, as well as English, and her mother tongue Indonesian. She currently splits her time between Montreal, Canada and Paris.In 2005 a new album, titled ''Luminescence'', was released. The difference of this album compared with the previous ones is that both the French and English version share the same title. Anggun's first single from the French album is ''Atre Une Femme''. The video for the "Femme" single was shot in Barcelona, Spain and made its debut on French TV at the end of 2004.

Charity Work

Anggun has been involved with several charities and received some awards, including:

• Awarded by the France's Culture Minister the prestigious distinction of "Chevalier des Arts et Lettres" for her worldwide achievements and her support to the French culture.
  
  
• Accepted the role of Spokesperson for the UN (United Nations) 'Year of Microcredit' to create awareness and help people in poverty all over the world.
  
  
• Appointed as the ambassador of Audemars Piguet.