The Jakarta Post

Mark Natama (20), singer

What love song are you obsessed with right now?

I’m really into Robin Thicke’s “The Sweetest Love”. I hadn’t listened to that song for a while, but lately it has been on my radar. I just forgot how good the song was. I think this song is beautiful but also nasty at the same time. [laughs]

Who was your celebrity crush when you were a kid?

My celebrity crush is a thousand miles away from me: Ariana Grande. Even now I still harbor a huge crush on her! I grew up watching her on Nickelodeon and she was just an itty-bitty kid back then, so in my eyes I found her very cute. Then she grew up and she transformed herself into this woman, but she still tugs at my heartstrings. Also, she has a petite figure. My frame is a bit short compared with most men and I used to imagine the two of us going on a date without me looking weird by her side. [laughs]

Can you tell me your most treasured Valentine’s Day memories?

It’s not that I’m anti-Valentine’s Day. It’s just that I’m one of those people... [pause] I don’t know, maybe I’m just in denial. Every time Valentine’s Day is approaching, I always try not to make a big deal out of it. I don’t always have a girlfriend during Valentine’s Day and when I do, I am always chill about it and I don’t expect anything. I don’t know. Perhaps there’s a trauma relating to Valentine’s Day that I still haven’t figured out. Unfinished business, perhaps. [laughs]

Please describe your most ideal date!

My ideal date is traveling overseas and exploring places that are not too touristy. We would be like [backpackers]: using public transportation, sipping coffee wherever we were and just having conversations with each other — the fun ones and the deep ones.

Help, my love life is a disaster! What should I do?

I think you shouldn’t succumb to peer pressure, especially during this pandemic when you might feel lonelier than ever. Like, there’s a lot of lovey-dovey TikTok content right now, but don’t fall for that. I believe the best time for you [to find love] is the best time for you. Because I’ve been there—I’ve been in a position where I forced myself to have a girlfriend back in high school. It didn’t feel great.

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2022-02-14T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-02-14T08:00:00.0000000Z

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