A Conversation with Rianti Cartwright
Rianti Cartwright is one of Indonesia’s most popular actresses who has starred in a number of successful television series and blockbuster movies. For the past year, the British-Indonesian beauty has stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her growing family with her husband Cas. We had the pleasure of chatting to Rianti about her career, fertility journey, impending motherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic and what she has planned for the rest of 2020.
E&W: Rianti, it has been so long since we’ve seen each other, How have you been lately and what have you been doing to keep yourself busy while staying at home?
Rianti Cartwright: Hi Jourdie, I’m great thank you, glad that you are happy and healthy.
Aside from a quick trip to the doctor for an ultrasound two weeks ago, Cas and I have been at home for two months now! Our last trip was lunch out with friends on March the 9th, so yes it feels like it’s been forever since we have seen friends and family. We miss them terribly but we’re trying to stay positive and taking it one day at a time. I’ve been keeping busy by starting to read all the books in the house that were ignored for years, trying out new recipes, Zoom chats with friends, tiktok, filming our Youtube channel and a LOT of Netflix.
E&W: For our readers who may not be familiar with you or your work, could you tell us about how you got started in the entertainment industry and some of your career highlights ?
Rianti Cartwright: I started working in the entertainment industry when I was signed by MTV Indonesia to be one of their VJs in 2005, since then I’ve made a few movies, acted in a few television series and participated in several variety shows. My last acting project was a drama series called Cinta Yang Hilang which aired on RCTI throughout 2018. I stopped working in 2019 to concentrate on starting a family.
E&W: Congratulations on your pregnancy, I know this has been a long time coming. Would you mind telling us about your fertility journey?
Rianti Cartwright: Thanks so much! Cas and I have been married for 9 years. We were very relaxed about starting a family in the beginning, enjoying each other’s company, our careers, building our house and doing a lot traveling together but we always wanted to have children.
After a few years, we realized that it wasn’t happening naturally so, after doing some research and talking to friends who had done it, we decided to put everything else aside and try IVF in 2019. We started the process in February and I did my first embryo transfer in May. Unfortunately it didn’t take and our first round of IVF failed. I took a few months off to give myself a break, and also to explore alternative fertility boosters such as acupuncture and naturopathy. We did our second embryo transfer (using our last frozen embryo) in November and I got pregnant! We were very cautious and didn’t tell anyone for three months. I’m now 28 weeks along and expecting a baby in July. We are both feeling very grateful and I’m especially thankful to Cas for being such a supportive partner during this delicate time.
E&W: Seeing you share your fertility journey on Instagram with your 1 million followers was extremely inspiring. Why did you decide to be so open about this journey on social media?
Rianti Cartwright: Thank you. I feel like in certain cultures there is still a lot of stigma attached to infertility and I think it’s important to start a conversation about it. Many couples don’t get checked or ask questions or explore their options simply because of the sense of shame they feel. It wasn’t easy to be so raw with my feelings, fears and hopes on social media, especially after our first failed round of IVF but Cas and I have had a lot of positive feedback. I’ve been strengthened by the experiences and stories shared by the women and couples who have either messaged me personally or left comments on my Instagram and I hope our story will impact other couples in the same positive way.
E&W: Being an expecting mother must be an exciting yet scary time, How is your pregnancy experience thus far?
Rianti Cartwright: If you told me a few years ago that I would be pregnant during a pandemic, I wouldn’t have believed you. I think this is a scary time for everybody. Most of the generations alive today have never experienced a global event of this scale. It’s especially scary because we don’t know when this is all going to end and for those who are sick or have lost family members, this is the most painful time. My thoughts are also with those who have lost their jobs, their businesses and their financial security. I really feel that this is a tragedy. That being said, I am trying to stay positive and I’m just taking it one day at a time. I think it’s important to keep your optimism alive and to try to see the silver lining. Cas and I are grateful that we can afford to stay home during this time. We’re enjoying the blue skies, learning new recipes, cleaning the house, preparing for the baby, reading books, working on our channel and watching movies. As I said, we’ve been home since March 9th with only one trip to the hospital for a mandatory ultrasound. So far my pregnancy experience, despite covid19, has been wonderful. I was throwing up a lot during the first trimester but the second trimester has been a breeze. My energy levels are high and I’m enjoying feeling the baby start kicking.
E&W: How has the COVID-19 crisis changed your pregnancy experience?
Rianti Cartwright: This is my first pregnancy so I can’t compare it to anything else but I’ve definitely been extra cautious. We limit the amount of packages we receive and wash or disinfect them accordingly. Because of my pregnancy we are very strict about staying at home, not receiving guests and physical distancing when we have to go to the doctor. I switched most of my visits to the doctor to online consultations. When we had to leave the house for the ultrasound we were very careful, wearing gloves, masks, covering our hair and cleaning everything as soon as we got home. During this vulnerable time, I’d rather be too cautious than too relaxed.
Although I really miss my family and friends, I’m trying to see the positive side of things. This has been quite a low budget pregnancy because I haven’t bought any maternity clothes except for leggings, I literally live in Cas’ baggy tshirts and pajama pants 🤣. Cas and I have all the time to really be present and mindful, enjoying every step of the journey. It’s been quiet but very fulfilling. I’m only eating home cooked meals, which is wonderful. I think if things were the way they used to be, I’d be running around town doing maternity photoshoots and attending events.
E&W: As an actress and public figure did you feel pressure to always look your best while pregnant ?
Rianti Cartwright: Being 36, I think I let go of a lot of that stuff a long time ago. I’ve stopped trying to fulfill other people’s expectations and I try to be really patient, kind and gentle towards myself. I think you can only serve people when you can be weak and imperfect in front of them, because otherwise you wouldn’t be relatable. That being said, the pregnant body amazes me and has opened my eyes to the miracle it really is. I also know that every pregnancy experience and body is different so it’s important not to compare. I’m loving my pregnant body and enjoying the days where I feel like putting on make up and doing mini photoshoots and also enjoying the days where I feel like a blubber whale and just want to curl up on the couch with crazy hair and lots of snacks.
E&W: What aspect of motherhood are you most excited about?
Rianti Cartwright: I think I’m excited about everything! I really can’t wait to meet my baby. Again I’m going to try to be very patient and gentle with myself and just take it one day at a time.
E&W: How has pregnancy changed your style besides needing to find larger clothes ?
Rianti Cartwright: Yes I’m all about the comfort now, I can’t even think about the days where I squeezed into skinny jeans and stilettos.
E&W: Do you think that there are enough stylish options for pregnant women available ? What are some of your go to maternity brands ?
Rianti Cartwright: I really do. I think it’s absolutely possible to stay stylish during every season of your life. But I’m the wrong person to ask about this because as I said, I’m living in Cas’ baggy shirts and pajama pants these days, and I also happily wore dish washing gloves to my ultrasound check. Hahaha.
E&W: What are some pregnancy myths that you would like to dispel for future expecting mothers ?
Rianti Cartwright: That all pregnancies feel the same. I have three pregnant friends at the moment and we are all going through different things.
E&W: What piece of advice would you give to new soon to be mothers at this time?
Rianti Cartwright: I think there is no harm in being extra cautious during this time. Also to try to engage in some mindful practices (I listen to positive affirmations every morning in the shower), to do some deep breathing, eat healthy, get some sun, cold showers, avoid sad and scary news and to try to laugh every day.
E&W: Aside from welcoming your first baby what else do you have planned for 2020 ?
Rianti Cartwright: These days I’m just focusing on my pregnancy and enjoying the quality time I’m having with Cas at home. I think the one thing 2020 has taught me is that when we make plans, God laughs
POST DETAILS:
Interview by: Jourdie
Photos provided by: Rianti Cartwright via Winston Gomez
Styling by: Refashion
Makeup by: Obby