Daniel Mananta first rose to fame upon winning the MTV VJ Hunt in 2003, after which he became known as VJ Daniel. With MTV Indonesia now defunct, Daniel denotes his real name as a brand. As a presenter, he got wider attention by becoming the host of Indonesian Idol starting in 2006. In 2008, inspired by his father's clothing shop in Mangga Dua, Jakarta, Daniel created his urban streetwear brand called Damn! I Love Indonesia. The brand, which focuses on Indonesian national pride, has been worn by international celebrities from Adam Levine of Maroon 5 to Nichkhun of 2PM boyband. Daniel also started in soap operas, with many fans noting his acting debut in the phenomenal movie Rumah Dara in 2009 by the Mo Brothers. Branching out to the silver screen, he played the titular role of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama in the 2018 movie A Man Called Ahok. He continued his acting journey in the 2019 Susi Susanti: Love for All, where his movie company, Damn! I Love Indonesia Movies became one of the production houses. Daniel also has a YouTube channel filled with candid interviews with fellow celebrities and public figures.