Eko Sulistyo
The high-profile wedding of Indonesian actor El Rumi and actress Syifa Hadju, which took place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, continues to dominate headlines across national entertainment media and social platforms. While the event was initially celebrated for its opulence, star-studded guest list, and the romantic union of two of the country’s most beloved young celebrities, the post-wedding discourse has shifted toward a heated debate regarding the originality of the ceremony’s concept. Specifically, a segment of the public has accused Syifa Hadju of imitating the wedding style of Alyssa Daguise, who recently married El Rumi’s older brother, Al Ghazali. These allegations have prompted a sharp response from Kesha Ratuliu, a close friend of the bride and a member of the bridal party, who took to social media to condemn the "toxic" culture of comparing women within the same family circle.
The controversy began to brew shortly after photos and videos of the nuptials were circulated on Instagram and TikTok. Observers pointed to perceived similarities in the color palettes, floral arrangements, and the specific silhouette of Syifa Hadju’s wedding gown, drawing parallels to the aesthetic choices made by Alyssa Daguise months earlier. As the "copycat" narrative gained traction, it reached the attention of those within the couple’s inner circle, leading to a public defense of the bride’s creative autonomy and the professional integrity of the vendors involved.
The Context of the Event and the "Copycat" Allegations
The wedding of El Rumi and Syifa Hadju was one of the most anticipated celebrity events of 2026. El Rumi, the second son of music moguls Ahmad Dhani and Maia Estianty, has long been a figure of public interest, while Syifa Hadju has maintained a prominent career as a leading actress in television and film. Their union was seen as a merging of two influential entertainment lineages. However, the pressure of public expectation often brings intense scrutiny.
The allegations of imitation center on the "aesthetic" of the wedding. Netizens claimed that the nuptial theme—characterized by classic European elegance mixed with traditional Indonesian touches—too closely mirrored the "royal" atmosphere of Al Ghazali and Alyssa Daguise’s wedding. Critics argued that the choice of bridal attire, particularly the lace detailing and the veil design, appeared to be a direct inspiration from Daguise’s look. In the digital age, where mood boards and Pinterest-inspired weddings are the norm, the line between "trending style" and "copying" has become increasingly blurred in the eyes of the public.
Kesha Ratuliu’s Public Defense on Threads
The criticism did not sit well with Kesha Ratuliu, who served as a bridesmaid during the ceremony. Known for her outspoken nature and loyalty to her peers, Ratuliu utilized the social media platform Threads to address the detractors. Her response was sparked by a comment from a supportive netizen who noted that it was "cruel" to label a bride a "copycat" on her happiest day, especially when the accusers had no involvement in the planning of the event.
Ratuliu’s response was visceral. She described those attacking Syifa as "sick people," expressing disbelief that individuals could harbor such negativity toward someone who had done no harm. She dismissed the "copycat" claims as "tacky" (norak) and pointed out the logistical reality of high-end celebrity weddings. According to Ratuliu, both Syifa Hadju and Alyssa Daguise employed their own professional wedding stylists. She argued that the similarities were not a result of imitation but rather a reflection of the high standards and specific trends currently dominating the luxury wedding industry in Indonesia.
"What do you mean ‘copycat’? That is so tacky. Both of them have their own wedding stylists, right?" Ratuliu wrote, defending the individuality of each bride’s vision while acknowledging that they exist within the same social and familial ecosystem.
The Role of Professional Vendors and Family Influence
A significant portion of the defense presented by Ratuliu and other supporters revolves around the practicalities of planning a wedding within a prominent family. In the Indonesian elite social circle, there is a limited pool of "top-tier" wedding vendors—including designers, decorators, photographers, and stylists—who are capable of handling events of this magnitude. It is common for siblings or close relatives to use the same vendors based on proven track records and successful past collaborations.
One netizen pointed out that if a vendor delivers an exceptional result for one family member, it is only logical for another family member to hire them to ensure the success of their own event. "Why does it matter if Syifa and Alyssa’s wedding concepts happen to be similar? If you are that close, you tend to use the same trusted vendors. Why would you gamble on an important moment?" the user commented.
Ratuliu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that when a family finds a "winning formula" with a specific team of professionals, repetition is a sign of trust rather than a lack of creativity. The use of a "wedding stylist"—a professional whose job is to curate the visual narrative of the day—means that the final look is a collaborative effort between the bride’s personal taste and the stylist’s professional expertise. Given that both Syifa and Alyssa are now part of the same extended family (the Ahmad Dhani-Maia Estianty clan), it is expected that their events would share a certain level of stylistic synergy.
Chronology of the Maia Estianty Family Weddings
To understand the public’s propensity for comparison, one must look at the timeline of the "three brothers"—Al, El, and Dul—and their respective relationships. The media has followed the romantic lives of Ahmad Dhani and Maia Estianty’s sons for over a decade.
- The Al Ghazali & Alyssa Daguise Era: As the eldest son, Al Ghazali’s relationship with Alyssa Daguise was the first to reach the milestone of marriage. Their wedding set a benchmark for celebrity nuptials in the mid-2020s, characterized by a sophisticated, international-metropolitan aesthetic.
- The El Rumi & Syifa Hadju Milestone: El Rumi and Syifa Hadju’s relationship progressed rapidly in the public eye, leading to their April 2026 wedding. Because it followed closely on the heels of Al’s wedding, comparisons were inevitable.
- Future Expectations: With the youngest brother, Dul Jaelani, and his partner Tissa Biani also frequently discussing marriage, the public is already speculating on how the third wedding will compare to the first two.
This "succession" of weddings within a single high-profile family creates a competitive atmosphere among fans and "stans," who often treat celebrity lives like reality television plotlines.
Analysis: The Psychology of Social Media Comparisons
The "copycat" phenomenon in the digital age is a byproduct of high-visibility branding. For celebrities like Syifa Hadju, a wedding is not just a personal milestone but a significant branding event. When two women marry into the same famous family, the public often engages in "comparison culture," a psychological tendency to rank or pit women against one another.
In the case of Syifa and Alyssa, the comparison is particularly sharp because both are fashion icons in their own right. Alyssa Daguise is often associated with high-fashion, "Old Money" aesthetics and Parisian chic, while Syifa Hadju is seen as the "National Sweetheart" with a more feminine, graceful, and accessible image. When their wedding styles overlapped—likely due to the prevailing "classic elegance" trend of 2026—the audience interpreted it as a loss of individuality rather than a shared appreciation for a particular style.
Furthermore, the "copycat" accusation serves as a form of social gatekeeping. By claiming Syifa copied Alyssa, critics are essentially suggesting that Alyssa "owns" a certain aesthetic within the family, and any deviation or similarity by Syifa is seen as an intrusion.
Broader Implications for the Indonesian Wedding Industry
This controversy also highlights the immense pressure on the Indonesian wedding industry. Vendors who cater to "A-list" celebrities must navigate the fine line between delivering a "signature style" and ensuring each client feels unique. When a specific florist or decorator becomes the "it" vendor for the season, their signature style becomes ubiquitous. This ubiquity is often mistaken by the public for a lack of originality on the part of the bride.
The defense provided by Kesha Ratuliu underscores a shift in how celebrities are beginning to push back against social media narratives. By calling out the "sickness" of the comments, Ratuliu is advocating for a boundary between public consumption of an event and the private joy of the participants.
Conclusion
The wedding of El Rumi and Syifa Hadju remains a landmark event in the 2026 entertainment calendar. Despite the noise of social media comparisons and "copycat" allegations, the event succeeded in its primary goal: the union of two prominent figures in a celebration shared with family and friends. The staunch defense from figures like Kesha Ratuliu serves as a reminder that behind the curated images and professional styling are real individuals navigating significant life transitions under a microscope. As the dust settles, the focus is expected to return to the couple’s new life together, though the debate over "originality" in the age of social media is likely to persist as a recurring theme in celebrity culture.
