The video got .
A jealous rival leaked her old kost room photos, claiming she was fake—that she wasn't a “real” Ibu RT . The internet bullied her for three days. Rina cried, ate a whole pisang goreng (fried banana), and then filmed her rawest video yet.
She collaborated with Arnold Poernomo (the celebrity chef) for a “Spicy Seafood Challenge” and with Atta Halilintar for a ridiculous sulap (magic) prank.
In the bustling heart of Jakarta, , a 22-year-old graduate, was tired of sending out résumés with no replies. She lived in a modest kost (boarding house) with two other girls, and her only escape was watching YouTube and TikTok .
During a local Peringatan Hari Kemerdekaan (Independence Day celebration), Rina filmed herself, as Ibu RT, confronting a man playing koplo music too loudly. Instead of arguing, she challenged him to a solo dangdut dance-off. The man, confused, started laughing and joined in. The whole kampung (village) erupted.
Inspired, Rina grabbed her phone. She didn't have a fancy camera—just a cracked screen and a dream.
Brands called. First, a mie instan (instant noodle) company. Then a skincare brand promising to remove komedo (blackheads). Rina was smart—she kept her videos authentic, always showing the real chaos of Jakarta: the bajaj fumes, the asphalt heat, the street cats.
But then she watched a series about a corrupt politician and had a stroke of genius. She created a character: “Ibu RT,” a fierce neighborhood chief who solves disputes through ridiculous dance battles.