The world according to Jerome Kurnia is one of vivid colours, a palette that finds its way into every role he inhabits and every melody he strums. Having earned accolades for “Perang Kota” (2025) and “Penyalin Cahaya” (2021), the actor has left lasting impressions through “Bumi Manusia”, “Like & Share”, and countless other films. Outside of acting, the 32-year-old creative can often be seen pursuing other endeavours, one of which is music. His serenades and strumming, once kept in private, have gone viral following his debut alongside his band, Ricecooker. Since 2024, the indie band has gone on to release irresistible tunes such as “Sunday Song” and “If You Let Me”.
As he offers a peek into his day-to-day life, Jerome gets candid about his current stature in the industry. “Growing up, I never imagined myself working in the creative industry,” he says, “When I was a kid, I always thought that working as an adult meant being a lawyer, a doctor, or someone who worked in an office.” He confesses that he began to feel a sense of emptiness as he stepped into law school, following a definition of “success” that did not ring true to him. The emerging adult who once shone in school theatres, musicals, and singing competitions found the courage to enter the creative industry. It was then that Jerome Kurnia began to find real joy in his work.
Jerome’s first experience in the industry was on the set of “Bumi Manusia” (2019), a film adaptation of Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s groundbreaking novel, directed by Hanung Bramantyo. Having worked in a law firm after graduation and briefly as a radio announcer, the magnetic man is grateful to have been entrusted with his first ever role as Robert Suurhof in the 2019 film. He reminisces, “I can still remember how happy I was as a debuting actor. When I wanted to pursue my master’s degree, acting offers started coming in, but I didn’t land most auditions until “Bumi Manusia”. Every character I’ve played has taught me a lesson or even changed me as an individual, but there was no one like Robert Suurhof. This role showed my capability in the industry and helped me earn the trust people placed in me as an actor.”
His efforts were not in vain, as more offers soon started coming in. Shortly after filming “Bumi Manusia”, Jerome was cast in various films, including “Dilan 1991” (2019). One of his most celebrated performances to date, however, remains “Penyalin Cahaya” (2021), which won him a Citra Award for Best Supporting Actor. “It was a massive milestone for me,” he fondly recalls, “Winning that award was a reminder that I could do this for a living, and that people believed in and appreciated me as an actor. It was both a reminder and a gift that boosted my sense of self-worth. It showed me that I can continue to strive, work harder, stay curious, and keep exploring other characters to spread my wings even further.”
As one could imagine from his impressive filmography and discography, the suave vocalist of Ricecooker is not one to passively wait, especially when it comes to finding inspiration. Be it for his acting or music, Jerome finds a thrill in the exploration phase. He approaches each project with a level head, going so far as to call the beginning his favourite part of the process, all the while protecting his inner peace. “Very early on, many of my friends would say that you must get the ‘best’ or most ‘artistic’ roles. I don’t quite agree with that. Instead, we need to see how the industry is evolving without panicking or viewing it purely through a competitive lens. It should be seen as blooming in a beautiful garden—we need a mindset where we simply do what we believe in and what we are genuinely curious about.”
While he is immensely energised by his roles, Jerome acknowledges the hard work and long hours that everyone puts into the making of a film. “I think people don’t see how hard we work behind the scenes,” he remarks. “Human rights for filmmakers in Indonesia are still very poor. Sometimes, we have to work 20 hours a day. Yes, we do it happily, but I believe our working conditions should, and must, be better.”
Between takes, Jerome Kurnia does not fail to return to the hobbies that first brought him joy as a young boy. Just as he navigates the shoot’s vibrant rooms with his timeless Cartier timepiece, the actor moves between disciplines with remarkable ease. From musical theatre to The Beatles, his love for music knows no bounds and ultimately inspired him to start a band with his friends. “For me, being able to pursue a different path by forming a band with my friends, Will Mara and Alif Keenan Ibrahim, has been a true blessing. I feel privileged enough to have the time, energy, and the right people around me to pursue and fulfil yet another lifelong dream, that of making music.”
When asked how he views the two creative worlds, Jerome observes both similarities and differences in the creative process. He elaborates, “Acting does require you to be someone else, but all characters share one thing in common with me: my own point of view as that character. I feel like music can show who we are as a band, how we feel, what is happening around us in our personal lives, and we let it out. Meanwhile, with acting, one must think through the character, what, how, where, and when, to project it onto the screen. Both are forms of storytelling, and both are highly collaborative, just through completely different media.”
While the two roles require deep focus, Jerome explains that his identity is further emphasised through acting and music, rather than diminished by them. “It makes my arms longer; I can reach further. These outlets allow me to speak out more and show more of myself, my thoughts, and my feelings. Hence, I feel like I am more truly myself through these outlets. I will never lose even a little bit of myself; it’s quite the opposite.”
Looking back on his journey, the hardworking creative sees it as one filled with excitement, embracing all the lessons, experiences, and life phases that come with it. Explaining why he does not have a specific benchmark for growth, Jerome says, “I always feel like I am constantly growing. I don’t look at milestones, and I don’t necessarily see myself as being different from who I was 10 or 15 years ago. I feel like the main difference now is simply the privilege I have—being able to get more jobs and having more options. Ultimately, I feel like I have always been growing, and I still am.”
Even through his work, Jerome is guided by bigger, often philosophical questions, such as what the older version of himself might look like, both personally and professionally. When asked what his next chapter looks like, Jerome’s eyes glimmer with excitement. “I want to show my rhythm to other rhythms that I’ve never met before, to try new things and explore new industries, work with international collaborators, and celebrate the language we all share: the language of making art.”
Creative Director: Erika Tania D.
Photographer: Vicky Tanzil
Fashion Stylist: Triska Putri
Makeup Artist: Claudya Christiani Purba
Hair Stylist: Eka Sari Wahyuni
