Our Reporter Sat Down With Cyril And Anggun For An Exclusive, Here Is What Went Down
In an exclusive interview with our reporter, Anggun Sasmi and Cyril Takayama got candid and shared their live experiences in a series of questions.
ANGGUN
Anggun Cipta Sasmi is a singer songwriter is an Indonesian born French singer-songwriter with hit singles like Mimpi and Snow on the Sahara. Being one of the first Asian singer to make her mark in the international scene, Anggun is one of the most prominent rockstars to come out of the 90’s music scene. She is a familiar face in the TV scene where she has been a judge for a number of talent shows including the Indonesian version of The Voice.
What are your thoughts on being an inspiration to musicians who are trying to carve a space for themselves? Any advice?
Quite honestly, nowadays arts in general are being touched the most because all of a sudden, we can’t work. Our version of work from home is online, on Instagram lives here and there. No more concerts, nothing. It is a really difficult time for music but if your passion is there, continue perfecting your craft, your writing.
I think it’s really important to know which genre you want to belong to. What you don’t want to hear is everybody sounding the exact same way on the radio. Try to incorporate more of yourself in your music. Be unique, don’t be afraid to be weird, to go out of the box because this is what differentiates you from the rest. An artist is an individual. Find your heroes, get inspiration from them and make it your own. Good luck.
As someone who has made your mark in the industry, what would you want to be remembered for?
Try ask this when I turn 80? Hahahah. It’s hard to say this without sounding pretentious but I was alone being the only Asian singer in America and especially Europe music industry in the 90’s or beginning of 2000’s. I’m just happy to be able to be one of the first faces to pursue globally somewhere.
CYRIL TAKAYAMA
Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Cyril Takayama is of French, Moroccan and Japanese descent and he is known for performing street magic on the streets of Japan. Due to his popularity online, Cyril’s been dubbed magic’s first cyber celebrity.
In your own way, what kinda magic the world really needs?
We just need a little bit of magic, even for me. I am always seeking a little bit of magic every day. I had dinner at a friend’s house, and a friend ended up playing a piano and the other friend who is a composer started singing and to me being back in that kinda environment was so magical. Just being alive with people and feeling emotions in real time.
But unfortunately, that’s not the case for a lot of people around the world. That is why AXN all-stars created this virtual event. The magic I thought for this particular first show was derived out of my depression this year, kinda punching myself in the head because I wasn’t able to participate when everyone else is doing YouTube etc. online.
I am still old school where I’m very personal, I like to have contact with people. I have to think on how to integrate the feeling, the magic I had when I spent time with my friends. I am not sure I’ve reached there but I can say for sure that I’ve come out with something for every viewer to participate in the magic I am going to present.
You mentioned that magic has an impact on people’s lives. As a performer, what was a memorable moment where you knew you touched someone’s heart?
In my entire life of performing, I started to evolve towards story building, as a storyteller, by making the magic I perform about people and by relating stories.
For a lot of people, magic could really touch their lives. I’ve been very fortunate to experience that because magic goes beyond just a performance.
I’ve had saddening cases in the past of meeting kids with diseases like leukemia and during their struggles of being in the hospitals and the one thing that kept them going was watching my shows on TV or the internet.
I had the opportunity of meeting them face to face and to be with them, to enlighten their lives in times of pain. I remember one kid who’s already gone to heaven but before that, I remember him looking at me, asking me why can’t I fix his disease with my magic.
Those were hard times but the moments I spent time with people and children battling with their lives that really emotionally touched my life. Through them I gave them something and in return I received something. Magic goes beyond just performance.
Catch them on AXN All-Stars 28 November (Saturday), 8pm (SGT) on AXN Asia’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
Reporter’s Opinion: It was a fangirl moment for me when I got to speak to Cyril because growing up, I enjoyed watching his street magic. It helps that he’s actually good looking and charming.
I honestly just want to know the secret to their everlasting youthfulness. These two amazing performers are pushing late forties and yet look so good.
Must be the good genes.
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