Cover Indonesian singer, Afgan, sangs some fan favourite hits for the opening party of the first Armani Makeup Lab in Southeast Asia (Photo: Armani Beauty)
Indonesian singer, Afgan, sangs some fan favourite hits for the opening party of the first Armani Makeup Lab in Southeast Asia (Photo: Armani Beauty)
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Indonesian singer, Afgan sits down with us to share what he's been up to and what's next for him
In conjunction with the launch of the first Armani Makeup Lab in Southeast Asia, we had the pleasure of catching up with the celebrated Indonesian singer, Afgansyah Reza, affectionately known as Afgan, who was here for the launch party of the pop-up which happened in Mid Valley Megamall Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. The immersive beauty experience marked a week-long celebration of luxury and creativity, boasting the Armani Signature Service – Light Sculpt Service, fragrance discovery, photo lab, gift lab, personalisation, and an array of exclusive gifts, all accompanied by a secret code for a complimentary Armani beauty pin.
During the launch party, Afgan serenaded the crowd with his chart-topping melodies, including MIA/Say I’m Sorry, Panah Asmara, and Bukan Cinta Biasa. Amidst the excitement of the launch, Afgan took a moment to share insights into his musical journey, his recent memorable milestone, and the harmonious alignment between his style and the timeless elegance of Armani Beauty.
Above Usually nervous before a show, Afgan says that he wants to live and enjoy the moment from now on (Photo: Armani Beauty)
Usually nervous before a show, Afgan says that he wants to live and enjoy the moment from now on (Photo: Armani Beauty)
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With a musical career spanning over 15 years, Afgan recently celebrated a significant milestone with his anniversary concert. When asked about his most memorable moment, he enthusiastically shared, “I think the last concert I did, the Evolution tour in Jakarta, was very memorable because it was in my hometown.” He emphasised the unique emotional connection he feels performing in Jakarta, where he grew up and where everyone he knows resides. The experience was both nerve-racking and rewarding, culminating in what he considers the best concert of his career. “I enjoyed every single minute of it on the stage which I’ve never felt that way before,” he expressed.
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Above For aspring singers out there, Afgan cautions them not to get ahead of themselves and stick to being who you are (Photo: Armani Beauty)
For aspring singers out there, Afgan cautions them not to get ahead of themselves and stick to being who you are (Photo: Armani Beauty)
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Afgan’s newfound sense of presence and calm on stage was evident during the Evolution tour. “Usually, I’m very stressed and nervous on stage, but for this concert, I didn’t feel that at all. I completely enjoyed it and I felt present on stage,” he shared. This shift in mindset came from a conscious decision to savour each moment. “I told myself that ‘I don’t wanna miss the moment’ because I was too much in my head or something. I really wanna be present because at this moment, it’s not going to stay forever like this so I don’t wanna miss it.”
Drawing from his journey, Afgan had some advice for aspiring young singers navigating the challenges of the digital age. “My advice is not to get ahead of yourself,” he cautioned. He emphasised the importance of embracing the process, acknowledging the inevitable ups and downs, and staying true to oneself amidst the distractions and pressures of fame. “First of all, you have to figure out the person you wanna be and just stick to that, to the values that you believe in, and I think you’ll be fine.”
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Above For Afgan, Armani is all about elegance without any sense of pretension (Photo: Armani Beauty)
For Afgan, Armani is all about elegance without any sense of pretension (Photo: Armani Beauty)
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When discussing the alignment between Armani Beauty’s philosophy and his personal style, Afgan illuminated the brand’s elegance and approachability. “When I think about Armani Beauty, I think about elegance. It might be expensive, but it’s approachable and unpretentious.” This resonates with his philosophy of feeling comfortable in his public presentation. “I don’t wanna force myself to be somebody else and I think that’s what Armani stands for as well. Everybody has their own style, you just have to bring elegance to it in your way.”
As for Afgan’s upcoming endeavours, he has an exciting lineup planned. “I’m gonna do a tour in Indonesia soon. The last time I did a tour was in 2016, so this will be my second tour after all these years.” He further elaborated on his plans to collaborate with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra for a unique crossover concert experience which is set to happen later this year in December. He also revealed his next big project: “Next year, I am gonna release my English project, my second one. A follow up to Wallflower in 2021.” With unwavering determination, Afgan is poised to continue his musical journey with elegance, authenticity, and a renewed sense of presence.
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Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
