A 24-year-old man named Ressa Rizky Rossano has sued singer Denada Tambunan at the Banyuwangi District Court for alleged neglect of an illegitimate child. He claims to be Denada's biological son and demands Rp7 billion in compensation for material and immaterial damages. Denada's former housekeeper denies the claim, stating she never knew of any other child.
Lawsuit Drags Singer Denada into Court
On November 28, 2025, 24-year-old Ressa Rizky Rossano from Banyuwangi filed a civil lawsuit against Denada Tambunan at the Banyuwangi District Court. The suit is based on Article 43 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriage, which governs the civil rights of children born out of wedlock to their mother and her family. Ressa claims he is Denada's biological child who has received no attention, role, or responsibility from his mother from childhood to adulthood.
Ressa's lawyer, Mohammad Firdaus Yuliantono, stated that his client has suffered serious losses due to Denada's absence. "Well, because there is no obligation, it has caused losses to the plaintiff 1 (Ressa). We hope through the Banyuwangi District Court that we seek justice so that the losses suffered by plaintiff 1 can be fulfilled by the defendant (Denada)," Firdaus said on January 14, 2026.
The demands include compensation for material and immaterial damages accumulated since Ressa's childhood, totaling Rp7 billion. Firdaus emphasized that they are open to Denada proving the biological claim in court. "If this is considered not the biological child of the defendant (Denada), then the defendant is welcome to prove that she is not the biological parent of the plaintiff (Ressa)," he added.
On the other hand, Sofi, Denada's former housekeeper, provided a contrasting testimony. In a YouTube video circulating on January 15, 2026, Sofi stated that during her years working in Denada's home—even up to her marriage to Jerry Aurum—she only knew of one child, Shakira, now named Aisha. "For me, I've never heard anything, no rumors or anything like that," Sofi said.
Sofi said she had met Ressa but believed he was raised by the sister of the late Emilia Contessa, not Denada's son. "I've met this boy (Ressa), but I didn't know. As far as I know, he's been with Mrs. Emil since before. Not Mbak Dena's child, maybe a relative or someone else's," she revealed. To date, Denada has not issued an official statement regarding the lawsuit.
This case highlights the complexities of family ties in Indonesia's entertainment scene, with the court expected to provide legal clarity.
