Cinta Laura Kiehl is an award-winning Indonesian actress, singer, and producer whose nearly two-decade career has cemented her status as one of the country’s most versatile entertainers. Gaining national fame in Cinderella: Apakah Cinta Hanyalah Mimpi?, earning a Best Actress award at the SCTV Awards at a young age, she soon transitioned into music, releasing a multi-platinum debut album that earned her an Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) Award. Her international portfolio includes Hollywood films like “After the Dark (2013)” and “Nanny Surveillance (2018)”, alongside physically demanding roles like the action-packed “Vision Plus Series Dendam (2024)”. Beyond the screen, Cinta is Indonesia’s only global spokesperson for L’Oréal Paris and a collaborator with brands like Bvlgari, Omega and Coach, extending her influence across entertainment and fashion. In an interview with Top 10 of Asia, she shares her journey, reflecting on how she leveraged her platform to empower others while staying true to her values and vision.
An actress, singer, producer, entrepreneur, and advocate, Cinta grew up moving between cultures across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. “Academically, I studied at Columbia University, which influenced how I think about storytelling, human behaviour and responsibility. Today, I balance creative work in front of and behind the camera with building impact-driven ventures that support emerging voices,” she shares. Her father, who was a hotelier, and her mother who was a lawyer, Cinta was raised with discipline, structure, and responsibility. Navigating different cultural value systems encouraged her to question norms while grounding her in a strong sense of self.
“The first twelve years of my career, I tried to embody what the industry expected from a female public figure, but felt constrained by roles and narratives that don’t reflect who I am,” she explains. This changed during the pandemic, when her honest reflections at a campaign about obstacles women face in the industry resonated widely. This led her to speak on government, educational, and business platforms, guest lecture at universities and take intentional ownership of her career through producing her own work, choosing meaningful projects and building platforms.
One of her challenges was being underestimated. “Early in my career, my accent and international upbringing often led to people seeing me as too Westernised and questioning my talent. Instead of conforming, I deepened my understanding of storytelling, learning how stories are developed, financed, and brought to market. This led me to establishing RVO Horizon, a film investment fund under my company Cinta Paras Semesta (CPS). My commitment to results paid off with Para Perasuk, which I executive produced and became the first Indonesian film selected for the competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Rather than confronting perceptions head-on, I allowed my work to redefine the narrative around me.”
Cinta stays inspired by remaining intellectually and emotionally active. “I read widely, watch films, documentaries, and vlogs to observe how others in the creative industry build and sustain their careers. I travel to understand culture, inequality, and resilience, and I also build in quiet time to meditate and reflect,” she explains.
“For Cinta, success is alignment. It’s the ability to do meaningful work, maintain creative freedom, support others and have peace of mind. “I strive to create impact through everything I do. Through CPS, I’ve built an ecosystem supporting storytelling, creative education and cultural production, turning ideas into tangible projects, platforms and opportunities. If my growth creates room for others to grow while I stay grounded, I consider that success.”
“I’ve taken steps toward impact through long-term work in education and youth empowerment,” says Cinta. “I’m a co-founder of the Soekarsono Foundation, a non-profit established by my family in 2006, that focuses on rebuilding dilapidated schools in Bogor, West Java. I organise fundraisers and facilitate scholarships for the top five percent of students each year to continue their education.”
In 2023, Cinta launched Act of Love, a movement focused on supporting Indonesian youth through scholarships, teacher allowances, class leadership development, education infrastructure and health. “The goal is not only to provide access but to strengthen the entire ecosystem so young people and their communities can thrive,” she says. “Looking ahead, I aspire to build a large-scale philanthropic foundation, modelled on the impact of Melinda French Gates, to address inequality across education, health, and opportunity on a national or regional level.”
Over the next few years, Cinta aims to continue producing work while expanding her role behind the scenes. “I love being in front of the camera and seeking roles that challenge me physically and emotionally, push me into unfamiliar territory, allowing me to grow as a performer.”
“Master your craft before chasing visibility. Be patient with your progress but ruthless with your standards. Learn how systems work, not just how talent works. And most importantly, don’t outsource your sense of worth to external validation. Longevity belongs to those who know who they are, even when no one is watching,” advises Cinta.