Summary
Highlights
Ani Mayuni recounts her early struggles, living with her family in her grandmother's two-bedroom house. To improve her family's living conditions, she chose to pursue a singing career despite being offered higher education. She became a dangdut singer, following her record company's direction, and quickly gained popularity. Ani's family was very supportive of her career, often accompanying her to shows, even in clubs. She never felt ashamed of being a dangdut singer, viewing it as a legitimate career choice to support her family.
Ani Mayuni shares her proudest achievement: representing Malaysia at the World Arts Game in Croatia. For two weeks, she performed dangdut and joget songs, proudly showcasing Malaysian culture to an international audience who were surprised by the country's beauty and musical talent. This experience reinforced her belief in her path, despite criticisms she faced as a dangdut artist.
Ani reveals the dark side of her celebrity, sharing how her children were bullied and shamed at school for having a dangdut singer mother. A teacher once told her daughter that her mother's earnings were Haram (forbidden in Islam), causing distress. This led Ani to keep her family life extremely private, rarely appearing in public school events to protect her children from judgment. Her husband often stepped in to attend school functions, shielding their children from further emotional pain.
Ani describes her parenting style as strict but highly supportive. She encourages her children to pursue their passions but insists they commit fully to their chosen paths. While her husband is the 'cool' parent, Ani acts as the family's daily diary, diligently asking her children about their day and school activities, maintaining open communication even when she's away working. This consistent communication has fostered a strong bond, making her children comfortable sharing their lives with her.
Ani Mayuni was completely unaware of her daughter Viviana's vocal talent until she saw her perform on a grand stage at a university event. Despite being a singer herself, Ani didn't teach her children music, emphasizing knowledge and proper conduct over mere talent. Her husband, a musician himself, recognized Viviana's potential earlier, yet even he was surprised by the depth of her performance.
Viviana bravely shares her harrowing experience of being bullied in sports school, starting from Form 1. Initially, it was minor bullying, but it escalated due to jealousy from senior netball players over her selection for a team. The bullying turned physical, including being slapped repeatedly, verbally abused, and enduring demeaning acts like planking while seniors stepped on her back. The worst incident involved being suffocated with a hijab, choked until she blacked out, and locked in a locker, leaving her with severe physical and emotional trauma.
Viviana's ordeal left her with significant injuries, including a fractured spine. Her mother, Ani, fought relentlessly for justice, reporting the incident to the police and the Ministry of Education. The school principal was transferred, and disciplinary action was taken against the coaches and bullies involved. Viviana eventually changed schools but continued to pursue sports, showing immense resilience. This experience, though horrific, fueled her determination to succeed and prove her bullies wrong. She now uses her platform to raise awareness about bullying and support others.
Viviana uses her story to empower other aspiring talents, particularly those experiencing bullying. She aims to show them that one can overcome adversity and achieve success. Despite the trauma, Viviana chose not to seek revenge, believing in the fairness of divine justice. She encourages open communication about bullying, urging parents to take their children's complaints seriously and for individuals to stand up against bullying. Both Ani and Viviana emphasize the importance of mental health and self-care, noting that Viviana's positive attitude now helps her cope and inspires others.