Agnes Monica (born
Agnes Monica Muljoto; July 1, 1986) is an Indonesian
recording artist and
actress. Born in
Jakarta,
Indonesia, she started her career in entertainment industry at the age of six as a
child singer. She has recorded three albums which established herself as one of the most popular child singers in the 1990s. She also became a presenter of several children's television programs. At her teen age, Agnes expanded her career into the world of acting. Her role in the soap opera
Pernikahan Dini rocketed her name in the showbiz industry. Following her rising popularity after starring in few series of soap operas, she became the highest-paid teenage artist.
In 2003, she released her first album
And the Story Goes that marked her transition from a child singer to a female singer. The success of the album prompted her to pursue an international career. On her second studio album
Whaddup A.. '?! (2005), Agnes collaborated with American R&B singer
Keith Martin. She also appeared in two Taiwanese drama series,
The Hospital and
Romance In the White House. She participated in 2008 and 2009
Asia Song Festival in
Seoul,
South Korea and received "Best Asian Artist Award" for each of her participations. Agnes took creative control of her third studio album,
Sacredly Agnezious (2009), where she became the producer and songwriter. In 2010, she was appointed as one of the judges on the talent show
Indonesian Idol. Agnes also became one of the international hosts of red carpet
American Music Awards of 2010 in Los Angeles, United States.
Aside of her commercial success, Agnes has become the most-awarded Indonesian singer in history. She has achieved numerous awards, including ten
Anugerah Musik Indonesia, seven
Panasonic Awards and four
MTV Indonesia Awards. She was also honored with a Nugraha Bhakti Musik Indonesia (NBMI) from the
Indonesian Cultural and Tourism Minister and the Singers, Songwriters, and Music Record Producers Association of Indonesia (PAPPRI) for her contribution and support for the Indonesian music. She has been appointed as anti-drug ambassador of Asia, as well as the ambassador of MTV EXIT to combat human trafficking.