Wikipedia

Julia Perez

Yuli Rachmawati (15 July 1980 - 10 June 2017), better known as Julia Perez, abbreviated as Jupe, was an Indonesian Dangdut singer, model, and actress. In the early 2010s, she became known for her outspoken statements against conservative Muslim clerics, who deemed her as too erotic for Indonesian audiences.

Julia Perez
Julia Perez - during Dahsyatnya Awards
Born
Yuli Rachmawati

(1980-07-15)July 15, 1980
Jakarta, Indonesia
DiedJune 10, 2017(2017-06-10) (aged 36)
Jakarta, Indonesia
NationalityIndonesian
Other namesJupe
Alma materFaculty of Law, Bung Karno University
Occupation(s)Celebrity, Singer, Model
Years active1997 - 2017
Spouses
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(m. 2002; div. 2010)​
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(m. 2013; div. 2016)​

Early life

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Julia Perez was born Yuli Rachmawati in on 15 July 1980 in Jakarta, Indonesia, as the eldest daughter to Sri Wulansih (b. 25 May 1963) and Angkasa Djaya (7 August 1961 - 2 December 2013). Her father played football for a club in Bandar Lampung city, and her mother, who played women's football for Caprina Cijantung Club in Jakarta[1] She was of mixed Sunda and Betawi ancestry.[2] Her parents divorced some time around 1988, when Julia Perez was still a child. Her mother had to take on odd jobs to support the family.[3] Her mother later married Sakib ‘Sammy’ Mahri, who owns a welding business and rental properties.[4]

After leaving high school, Julia Perez studied at InterStudi Secretarial Academy in Jakarta, at the behest of an older female friend, who also paid for her tuition and advised her to find a bule (white foreigner) boyfriend. She then worked for a furniture company run by a Dutchman. She began dating the owner's son, who invited her to work in the Netherlands. She accepted the offer and spent three years in the Netherlands, studying Dutch and working as a secretary.[5]

On a holiday to Spain, she met French model Damien Perez.[6] They were married in France on 7 October 2002. They had no children. Jupe said she was putting her career before starting a family. She suffered a miscarriage in 2007. In 2009, she became close to an Argentine soccer player, Gaston Castaño, who then played for Indonesian club Persiba Balikpapan and went on to play for several other Indonesian clubs.[7] In 2010, Julia and Damien were divorced. She blamed the failure of their marriage on Damien's alleged womanizing.[8]

In 2013, Julia and Gaston announced their engagement. They were quietly married in Sydney, Australia, on 26 September 2013. Their wedding was kept a virtual secret from Indonesia's media.[9] Julia's mother had opposed the idea of her daughter marrying a football player. On 12 May 2016, South Jakarta District Court granted Julia a divorce and awarded her alimony of Rp15 million per month.[10]

Julia's biological father, Angkasa Jaya, was arrested in 2012 for alleged possession of drugs. He died in December 2013.[11]

In 2015, Julia Perez earned her Sarjana Hukum (Bachelor of Law) from Universitas Bung Karno.[12]

Career

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After starting out as a secretary in Jakarta, Julia Perez moved to the Netherlands for further secretarial work. Her ensuing relationship with Damien Perez opened doors for her to model for FHM and Maxim magazines in France. Following her layouts in FHM and Maxim, Jupe was nominated as one of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World.[13]

Around 2002, she returned to Indonesia for a holiday to help her younger sister attend a casting session for a soap opera, but the director ended up recruiting Julia Perez, who embarked upon an acting career. She appeared in late-night ribald comedy shows, with titles such as Komedi Nakal (Naughty Comedy). She gained further exposure and popularity by starring as a lifeguard dressed in a red swimsuit in an unofficial Indonesian version of Baywatch called Penjaga Pantai (Beach Guards).[14]

She went on to appear in local soap operas, variety shows and horror movies, and also became a popular dangdut singer. Her debut album Kamasutra, released in 2008, included a free condom, which upset conservative Islamic organizations and resulted in her being banned from performing in several cities. In 2008, she was banned from performing at a concert commemorating Indonesia's 17 August Independence Day at a red-light area in Pekanbaru, Riau province.[15]

In 2012, Julia Perez launched a chicken fast-food chain called Jupe Fried Chicken (JFC).[16]

Politics

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In March 2010, Julia Perez told the press that eight political parties had asked her to run for the position of Regent of Pacitan regency in East Java province, even though she had never visited Pacitan.[17] She said the parties courting her for the December 2010 local election included the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and the National Mandate Party (PAN). Her candidacy led to accusations that political parties were putting personalities before policies and experience, whereas her supporters countered that her inexperience in political corruption and her opposition to conservative Islam made her a worthy candidate.[18] In August 2010, Julia Perez announced she had pulled out of the election, saying it was her own decision.[19]

In the run-up to Indonesia's 2014 presidential election, contested between populist Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo and former general Prabowo Subianto, Jupe publicly offered to marry Prabowo Subianto, who had never remarried since divorcing former president Suharto's second daughter, Titiek Suharto.[20] Julia Perez tweeted on 19 May 2014: "Dear Mr Prabowo Subianto, Jupe is ready for a marriage proposal whenever you want.. You want to be president [and] need a wife, Jupe is ready sir." Prabowo Subianto responded on Twitter by thanking Julia Perez for her support. Julia Perez later said her offer did not mean that she supported Prabowo's presidential bid as she was neutral. On 5 June 2014, Jupe said she had decided to support Jokowi because Prabowo Subianto had broken her heart as he already had a girlfriend.[21]

Ahead of Jakarta's 2017 gubernatorial election, Jupe voiced support for the incumbent, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, who ended up losing the election and was then jailed for blasphemy against Islam.[22] Jupe had initially considered Ahok to be fierce and creepy, but upon meeting him in March 2016 she declared him to be warm and friendly. She praised his urban planning and efforts to combat Jakarta's notorious floods and traffic. She also lauded his honesty, saying it was very difficult to find honest leaders in Indonesia.[23]

Other activities

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In 2006, Julia Perez became an ambassador for the All Indonesia Chess Association (PERCASI), which held the "Julia Perez Rapid Chess Open Tournament" in Jakarta on 5 October 2006.[24]

In 2010, Julia Perez founded the Champions Soccer School (CSS) in Jakarta, with the aim of improving the football prowess of Indonesian children by providing "Latin American-style" training from Argentine and Chilean coaches.[25] She said CSS was not intended to be a money-making operation, but was inspired by her love of football. She fondly recalled playing football as a child with her parents and siblings in Cijantung, East Jakarta. CSS was based in Kuningan, South Jakarta, and subsequently opened coaching clinics at Bung Karno Stadium and in Simprug, South Jakarta. The school's first batch of 14 participants received free training. Subsequent participants, who had an average age of 10 to 13 years, were required to pay a Rp 1 million registration fee, plus an additional Rp 1 million for a 10-week course. Former participants recall Jupe often monitoring the training, encouraging them to exercise and sharing her passion for the game.[26]

Julia Perez served as manager of Indonesia's Team Garuda at the 21st President's Cup International Amateur Boxing Tournament held in Jakarta over 3–9 July 2011. Jupe said her presence fired up the team's performance. She was also enthusiastic about the team, commenting: "The other day, I wanted to see the boxers being weighed. When I went in the room, why are they all naked? Apparently, one has to strip to be weighed. What can I say, that's my luck."[27]

One million followers

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On 7 August 2012, Julia Perez performed a pole dance at a traffic light in Kuningan, Central Jakarta, to keep a promise after reaching one million Twitter followers. She was not dressed too skimpily as it was the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan, although she still displayed some of her ample cleavage.[28]

Controversies

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Accusation by MUI

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The Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI), Indonesia's top Muslim authority, in October 2011 accused Julia Perez of being a pornographic actress. Rather than start wearing a Muslim headscarf, she responded by demanding a meeting with MUI and challenged the clerics to show any evidence of pornography.[29] She also jokingly apologized for being sexually attractive.[30]

Physical clash and jail

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On 11 October 2011, East Jakarta District Court sentenced Julia Perez to three months in jail with six months probation for assaulting Dewi Persik during a cat-fight on the set of the horror film Arwah Goyang Karawang (The Dancing Spirit of Karawang).[31] Julia Perez filed an appeal to the Supreme Court, which rejected the appeal and annulled her probation period. She was ordered to begin serving her sentence on 14 February 2013, but she disappeared. On 18 March 2013, officers forcibly removed her from her house and took her to Pondok Bambu women's penitentiary in East Jakarta.[32] She was released on 17 June 2013, after which she distributed korans at seven mosques.[33]

Perez name

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In August 2013, Julia Perez told the press she should pay Rp1 billion ($95,200) per year, if she still wanted to use the Perez name after her divorce from Damien Perez. She said she would change her name, but she remained known as Julia Perez.[34]

Censorship

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In January 2012, the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) sent an official warning letter to commercial television network ANTV over 28 December 2011 broadcast of talk-show Tri Angels, which featured a close-up of co-host Julia Perez's cleavage and a discussion about sex. KPI warned the network not to produce any more content of "excessive sexual exploitation".[35]

In February 2012, Julia's song Jupe Paling Suka 69 (Jupe Likes 69 Best) was among 10 dangdut songs banned by the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Broadcasting Commission (KPID) from radio and television airplay on the grounds of having sexually explicit lyrics.[36] In 2016, the same song was banned by West Java's KPID.[37] Banten province in western Java also banned the song in 2016.[38]

Condom ambassador

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In 2013, Julia Perez was named ambassador for Indonesia's National Condom Week, an event aimed at raising awareness for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The event was canceled after conservative Islamic groups claimed it promoted promiscuity.[39]

Relationship with FPI

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In December 2010, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) threatened to report female celebrities to police over "vulgar" online photos. Jupe said she would not make any drastic changes to her appearance as she wanted to remain sensual.[40] FPI then praised Jupe for promising to improve her appearance.[41]

In December 2011, FPI members in the West Java capital of Bandung branded Julia Perez a "temptress" and demanded she be banned from performing in the city.[42]

Julia's spiritual adviser was Habib Selon (real name: Salim Al Athas, 1969 - 2015), who was head of the Jakarta chapter of FPI.[43] When deadly floods hit Jakarta in mid-January 2013, Julia Perez accompanied Selon on a visit to the inundated neighborhood of Kampung Bukit Duri to hand out food and water aid.[44] Some Muslims later criticized Selon because Julia Perez had been wearing a figure-hugging T-shirt, where as Selon and the FPI had in 2012 successfully campaigned to have Lady Gaga banned from performing in Jakarta because of her "indecent" clothes. Julia Perez had in 2012 urged Lady Gaga to ignore the ban, tweeting: "Dear mother @ladygaga please come to JKT! I dont care if they will hurt me with bamboo or weapons! My blood is ur blood..please come i beg u *ban down*." She said she had personally made a bra from the thorny durian fruit as a gift for Lady Gaga.[45]

After Selon died of a heart attack in 2015, Jupe said he was like an older brother to her, and often gave her advice. She said they had planned to perform an umroh (minor haj pilgrimage) together in February 2016. She had also asked him to act as her guardian in the event she were to primary.[46]

Illness and death

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In early October 2014, Julia Perez announced she had visited Singapore to consider her options for having a baby via sperm donation a prohibited procedure in Indonesia. There was speculation at the time that she was suffering cancer and wanted to have a baby before the cancer advanced.[47] Later that same month, Julia Perez revealed that seven months previously (around March 2014) she had been diagnosed with Stage 2a cervical cancer.[48] She later clarified the cancer had been identified at Stage 1b. In Singapore, she underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatment and ovarian removal.[49] In January 2015, she announced she was looking forward to returning to showbiz work, declaring she had completely recovered from the cancer. In April 2016, she appeared publicly with her head shaved, saying it was an act of support for cancer sufferers, especially women. Despite her treatment, the cancer spread and by December 2016 had reached Stage 4.[50] In 2017, Julia Perez was being treated in Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. She had become reliant on donations from friends and supporters to cover her heavy medical bills for chemotherapy and other treatment. Among those helping to pay her bills was Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok, who had served as Jakarta governor. During Ahok's last visit to Julia Perez in April 2017, he said she should not worry about paying her bills.[51]

It was announced on 10 June 2017 that Julia Perez had died of Stage 4 cervical cancer. [52]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Nagabonar Jadi 2 Sexy Woman Debut film
2007 Coklat Stroberi Casting Girl #2 Cameo appearance
2007 Beranak Dalam Kubur Jasmine
2008 Susahnya Jadi Perawan Julia
2008 Basahhh... Juve
2008 The Shaman Nasha
2009 Hantu Jamu Gendong Sri
2009 Sumpah, (Ini) Pocong! Nani
2009 Kuntilanak Kamar Mayat Sarah
2009 Bukan Cinta Biasa Angel
2009 Mau Dong... Ah! Jupe
2009 Jeritan Kuntilanak Yunita
2009 The City of Your Final Destination Nurse American film
Cameo appearance
2010 Sst ... Jadikan Aku Simpanan Tisya La Fontaine
2010 Te(Rekam) Jupe
2010 Istri Bo'ongan Amara
2011 Arwah Goyang Jupe-Depe Lilis/Laila a.k.a. Arwah Goyang Karawang (causing residents unrest by using Karawang)
2011 Kuntilanak Kesurupan Cameo appearance
2011 Pocong Minta Kawin Yuli Gaga
2012 Rumah Bekas Kuburan Karina
2012 Bangkit Dari Kubur Cameo appearance
2012 Kutukan Arwah Santet Kirana
2013 Gending Sriwijaya Malini Won - Royal Bali Film Festival for Best Film Actress
Won - 2013 Bandung Film Festival for Best Film Leading Actress
Won - 2013 Maya Awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role
2013 Perawan Seberang Yulia Sumbukurung
2013 3 Cewek Petualang Sally
2014 Caleg By Accident Sundari
2014 Main Dukun Lyla
2014 Merry Riana: Mimpi Sejuta Dolar Office manager Cameo appearance

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Cinta Lokasi
2002 Rahasia Ilahi
2002 Lepas Malam
2002 Maafkan Aku
2002 Komedi Nakal
2003 Penjaga Pantai
2005 - 2006 Hidayah
2006 Iman
2006 - 2007 Mimpi Manis
2007 Duyung Kembar Ketemu Tuyul
2007 Perempuan Teraniaya
2008 Do'a Susi Episode: "Cinta Buta Membawa Petaka"
2010 Superboy Karin Main role; 50 episodes
2011 Supergirl Melinda Recurring role; 25 episodes
2011 Memori Cinta Cancelled aired
2014 Pesbukers Herself Guest star later selected as regular cast member

Discography

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Studio album

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Year Title
2008 Kamasutra

Soundtrack albums

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Year Title
2011 Ost. Arwah Goyang Karawang
  • First Soundtrack Album
  • Label: -
  • Format: -
2011 Ost. Pocong Minta Kawin
  • Second Soundtrack Album
  • Label: -
  • Format: -

Awards

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In 2013, Julia was honored with three awards:[53]

  • Honorable Best Actress for Gending Sriwijaya film in Bandung Film Festival 2013
  • Chosen Best Actress in Maya Cup 2013
  • Best Female Actress for Gending Sriwijaya film in Royal Bali Film Festival

References

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  1. ^ "Ayah Julia Perez Mantan Pemain Bola". TRIBUNnews.com. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  2. ^ Bahar, Komario (22 April 2017). "Tasbih di Genggaman Julia Perez dan Salib di Dada Gaston". Detik Hot. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  3. ^ Onishi, Norimitsu (30 July 2010). "An Unabashedly Sexy Celebrity Gets Political". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Diam-diam Ayah Tiri Jupe Ternyata Punya Bisnis ini, Lihat Foto-fotonya". TRIBUNnews.com. 24 April 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  5. ^ https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/author/ruth (16 September 2022). "Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Julia Perez". Discover Walks Blog. Retrieved 16 August 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)
  6. ^ "Julia Perez, dari Sekretaris di Belanda Jadi Artis di Indonesia". Detik Hot. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  7. ^ Aruan, Frengky (4 February 2017). "Hilang dari Sepak Bola Indonesia, Gaston Castano Gabung Klub Thailand". Sportsatu.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Jupe Akui Pernikahannya Hancur Karena Suami Bulenya Selingkuh". Detik Hot. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  9. ^ Fikri, Chairul (14 March 2016). "Ternyata, Julia Perez Sudah Menikah Sejak 2013". Berita Satu. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  10. ^ Junianto, Beno (12 May 2016). "Cerai dari Gaston, Julia Perez Dapat Rp15 Juta per Bulan". Viva Media Baru. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  11. ^ Maulana, Irfan (2 December 2013). "Ayah Jupe Meninggal Dunia". Kompas. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  12. ^ Hendra Gunawan (19 October 2015). "Berkebaya Buatan Anne Avantie, Jupe Diwisuda Jadi Sarjana Hukum".
  13. ^ "Julia Perez, dari Sekretaris di Belanda Jadi Artis di Indonesia". Detik Hot. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. ^ "Profil Julia Perez". viva.co.id. PT.Viva Media Baru. 24 February 2017.
  15. ^ "Julia Perez banned in Pekanbaru". The Jakarta Post. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Jupe Fried Chicken genjot mitra usaha". Kontan.co.id. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  17. ^ Amri, Arfi Bambani (30 March 2010). "Julia Perez: Saya Dipinang Delapan Partai". PT.Viva Media Baru. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Jupe for Pacitan". Indonesia Matters. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  19. ^ "Jupe has pulled out of Pacitan election". The Jakarta Post. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  20. ^ "Jupe Siap Dipinang Prabowo". Tribun Bali. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Patah Hati dengan Prabowo, Jupe Beralih ke Jokowi". Solopos Digital Media. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Dukung Ahok, Julia Perez: Kupinang Kau dengan KTP!". Tempo Media. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  23. ^ Aziza, Kurnia Sari (30 March 2016). "Dukung Ahok, Jupe Kutip Pernyataan Bung Hatta". Kompas. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  24. ^ "Profil Julia Perez". viva.co.id. PT.Viva Media Baru. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Julia Perez Lirik Jabatan Manajer Timnas". detikcom. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  26. ^ "Jupe dan Mimpinya Membesarkan Sepak Bola Indonesia". kumparan. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  27. ^ "Jupe says she swells boxing team's passions". The Jakarta Post. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  28. ^ "Julia Perez pole dances at Kuningan intersection". 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013.
  29. ^ "Jupe wants to face off with MUI". The Jakarta Post. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  30. ^ "Julia Perez: I'm Sorry, I am Sexy!". Kapanlagi.com. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  31. ^ "Julia Perez Divonis Tiga Bulan". 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  32. ^ "Jupe Dieksekusi Jaksa". 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  33. ^ Fikri, Chairul (17 June 2013). "Julia Perez Released From Prison". The Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Jupe Harus Bayar Rp 1 M Setahun untuk Perez". 21 August 2013.
  35. ^ "KPI Soal Dada Jupe di acara ANTV". TRIBUNnews.com Network. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  36. ^ "10 'Pornographic' Dangdut Songs Banned From Airplay in NTB". The Jakarta Globe. 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  37. ^ Munday (3 May 2016). "Jupe: 'Paling Suka 69' Dilarang, Nggak Gitu Ngaruh". Pikiran Rakyat. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  38. ^ Solehudin, Imam (9 August 2016). "Dinilai Cabul, Lagu Paling Suka 69 Milik Julia Perez Dicekal". Jawa Pos Group Multimedia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  39. ^ "Indonesia: National Condom Week cancelled". BBC News. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Jadi Sasaran FPI, Julia Perez Jaga Sikap". KLN Kapanlagi Network. 10 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  41. ^ "FPI Lebih Suka Jupe dan Andi Soraya". Kompas. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  42. ^ "Kata FPI: Jupe (Julia Perez) Adalah Anak Dajjal". Ruang Hati Berbagi. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  43. ^ Siswanto (28 December 2015). "Guru Spiritual Olga dan Jupe Wafat, Habib Rizieq Pimpin Doa". Suara.com. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  44. ^ "Jupe Hibur Korban Banjir di Bukit Duri". Liputan6.com. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  45. ^ "Gagal Konser, Julia Perez Curhat ke Lady Gaga". Tempo.co. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  46. ^ Ardiahanni, Dian (28 December 2015). "Jupe dan "Habib Selon" Sempat Ingin Umrah Bersama Tahun Depan". Kompas Cyber Media. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  47. ^ Edward, Julian (10 October 2014). "Terpaksa Suntik Sperma, Julia Perez Terserang Kanker?". Liputan6.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  48. ^ "Jupe: Saya Terkena Kanker Serviks Stadium 2A". Detik Hot. detikcom. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  49. ^ "Kronologi Julia Perez dari Sakit Hingga Meninggal Dunia". Liputan6.com. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  50. ^ "Kanker yang Serang Julia Perez Sudah Stadium 4". Tempo.co. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  51. ^ Setiawan, Tri Susanto (22 April 2017). "Ahok: Julia Perez Enggak Usah Khawatir soal Biaya". Kompas.com. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  52. ^ Pangerang, Andi (10 June 2017). "Julia Perez Meninggal Dunia". Kompas. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Sukses Bermain Film, Jupe Raih Penghargaan Ketiga". 30 December 2013.
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