Dewi Sandra Killick entered the world in Rio de Janeiro on 3 April 1980 to a British father, John George Killick, and a Betawi mother, Hajjah Prihartini. Raised in Brazil, she later established a multifaceted career in Indonesia as a singer, model, and actor, navigating shifting public perceptions of her talent through a series of musical releases and television roles.
Early Career and Musical Development
Beginning her career as a model, she initially recorded the compilation album Menari-Nari alongside other models. Her transition into a solo musical career saw the 1998 release of her debut album, Kurasakan. Facing criticism that her music relied too heavily on her physical appearance, she pursued vocal training. This effort preceded the release of her second album, Tak Ingin Lagi, which achieved a more positive reception than her previous work. By 2004, she had completed the three-year production of her third album, Kuakui, followed in 2007 by an experimental project titled Star, which combined uptempo tracks with slower ballads.
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Expanding her professional repertoire beyond the music industry, she accepted the role of host for the fifth season of Indonesian Idol. Her shift into the acting sphere involved appearances in various teen films. In 2011, she secured a position in the sinetron Nada Cinta, portraying a singing teacher. She noted that the production schedule for this Indonesian soap opera was notably faster than the project cycles she had experienced previously.
Artistic Evolution and Personal Life
Her fifth album, Wanita, surfaced in 2009, marked by a departure from the cheerful, R&B-infused sound of her earlier discs toward more melancholic melodies. The album included the single Kapan Lagi Bilang I Love You and tracks reflecting on her experiences with former partner Glenn Fredly. Her personal life has seen three marriages: she was married to actor Surya Saputra in the early 2000s until their 2005 divorce, followed by a marriage to Glenn Fredly, and she married Agus Rahman on 11 December 2011. A practitioner of Islam, she lists reading, movies, and travelling among her primary interests.
Fast facts
- Born: 3 April 1980, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Citizenship: Indonesian
- Occupations: Actor, Model, Singer
- Religion: Islam
- Parents: John George Killick and Hajjah Prihartini
- First Album: Hangatnya Cinta (1995)
- Languages: Indonesian
Questions readers ask
What was the critical response to her early music?
Critics initially argued she was focusing on her appearance rather than vocal substance, prompting her to undergo additional vocal training.
Which notable figures does she admire?
She has cited Madonna and Oprah Winfrey for their strength and emancipation, as well as Nelson Mandela for his leadership.
