Ayu Azhari was born into Indonesian entertainment royalty. The daughter of the legendary actress and singer (of Minangkabau and Dutch descent) and the prominent actor Iskandar (of Betawi and Chinese descent), Ayu’s childhood was the Jakarta version of a Hollywood backlot. Alongside her sister, the equally famous Sarah Azhari , Ayu grew up surrounded by film sets, recording studios, and the glittering—yet often predatory—world of 1990s showbiz.

In 2003, she authored a book on the dangers of voyeurism after her sister, Sarah Azhari, became a victim of unauthorized filming. By interviewing victims for this project, she brought national attention to the lack of digital privacy and the exploitation of women in the media.

Ayu Azhari's views on Indonesian culture are shaped by her experiences growing up in a multicultural society. She has spoken about the importance of preserving traditional Indonesian values while embracing modernity. Here are some of her perspectives on Indonesian culture:

: Information (or misinformation) travels instantly, making it impossible to "un-ring the bell" once a rumor begins.