Delightful screen sensation, Beverly Naya came on the scene in 2009 and stole our hearts with her effortless delivery on screen and unquestionable talent in acting both on the big screen and television. Beverly Naya is sure one passionate young woman as she packed up and moved from her home in the United Kingdom to Nigeria all in the bid to follow her acting dreams and conquer Nollywood, and she sure did. Beverly shared with Impelling Africa the story of her journey so far, how she came, saw and conquered while gracing the cover for this edition.
How did you take that bold to move back to Nigeria and pursue acting?
Basically, it was when I left the university. Obviously, the UK has a film industry but it is predominantly white, there weren’t even opportunities among black actors. You either struggle and hope you get your big break in the UK or you do a 9 to 5. I have never been a 9 to 5 person so I decided to move to Nigeria and act over here and it’s been fantastic.
Has it been fantastic right from the beginning?
At the beginning, there was culture shock. When I moved to Nigeria I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay because I didn’t understand the people. I didn’t understand the culture, I didn’t understand how I could go from complete civilization, and by that I mean complete structure to all of a sudden having to deal with having light today, and have to use the generator tomorrow. It was all these little things that we take for granted in the UK but I had to deal with that. And on several occasions I wanted to go back to London and just live a normal life.
What kept you going?
Passion, definitely passion. Just the desire to succeed and be the best actor I can be and the very best person I can be is definitely what kept me going. I am very passionate about my craft and what I do, although I may say sometimes that I’m tired and I have had enough and I don’t want to do this anymore but it’s easier said than done because I am far too passionate.
Are there days when you totally break down and say I can’t do this anymore especially at the beginning stage?
Definitely, there was a time that I had been in Nigeria for two years straight; I didn’t leave the country not even to go to Ghana. This is a person that was born and raised in England taking that decision and not going back to recharge or just go see your friends. I just kept working consistently, it was a lot mentally. It took a toll on me and I just literally felt I was going to lose my mind. Eventually, I booked a flight and went back to London, and I broke down. It was when I got back that I realized that I was on overdrive in Nigeria, I wasn’t dealing with how I was feeling, I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t content. I wasn’t sure if I was liked, I was trying to be liked. I was trying to be understood, I wanted to change my accent so I could be understood and liked. I wanted to change the way I behave so I could be seen as less of a snob when I know that I am not a snob. But because of the fact that I come from a different background, there is a tendency that people will see me that way. I was constantly trying to change myself to please the people in my industry and in the process, I was losing myself. When I got back to London, I realize I didn’t know who I was anymore. I felt like who are you? Where are you going? What do you want out of life? With all of that I broke down emotionally. I almost did not come back but with the encouragement from my mom and friends, I remember I received a message from a director that I really looked up to just randomly, he told me I just want to commend you, you are doing a fantastic job and no matter what you do, just keep going, you’ve got this, you are a star. I just felt that was a sign from God. This is a prominent director telling me I am good enough. I don’t know where that message came from but it just came.
What reaction did you get from friends and family when you decided to move to Nigeria?
For the most part, friends and family respected my decision, because first and foremost my mum moved back to Nigeria three or four years ago. It just seems like the next move to make was to move back to the life and industry in Nigeria. While I was in the university I shot two movies, so when I had a break I would fly back to Nigeria and shoot a movie so I already built some contact. So I think my family and friends knew that would be the next move because I was already making movies before graduating. I don’t think they were against it anyway.
How did getting nominated for AMVCA make you feel?
I was undeniably overwhelmed when I got nominated because I was literally on my way to the event and prior to that, weeks before, people were saying to me, “Beverly you might get nominated this year, you might never know”. But I said, “Not this time I doubt because I do not have any project right now”. You will think it is the emotional type of roles that will really get you nominated, not this time I’m pushing for 2017, nah (laughing). So then I was on my way to the event with my friend just casually. I was running late just sitting in the car with my friend and the next minute my phone stared blowing up. So many phone calls and so many messages, they were like oh my gosh you have been nominated; I was like “huh?” I was shocked, I asked for what?! They said Before 30 and I’m not going to lie, as soon as I got off the phone I started crying. I was so overwhelmed because I did not see it not coming. What it meant to me was that I am good enough. All the time I spent crying my eyes out wondering if I should do this or carry on is validated right there and then by the biggest award we have in Africa. You just don’t get nominated for nomination sake. You are nominated because you did something worthy of nomination. I instantly was just overwhelmed and really pleased and surprised. I wanted to win it but because it is not based on judging, it is more about votes. I thought if I win it or not I’m still a winner. It’s about the votes. Regardless if you are nominated or you win, you won.
Let’s talk about Before 30. Great show, how do you personally relate to your character, Nkem?
Nkem is a fire cracker. I admire the woman so much because she is just so confident. I am also a confident woman but she is so unapologetic and nothing gets to her. The way she just walks up to a man that she desires and gets his number and have her way without thinking about it, I can’t do it. It is totally different from who I am. I can’t do it. I can have a crush on a guy for one year or two years and he would never know unless he makes the first move. I hate the fact that I am like that and when I met Nkem, I felt liberated. I felt like I could actually do this but I can’t do it in reality.
Has she had any influence on you in real life?
She has actually. I have always been a tomboy but as I got older I became a sexy tomboy. A girl that is like a bit rough around the edges but then she is a tomboy, gets along with all the guys but she is still desirable. Cool chick kind of thing. After I played Nkem, a new femininity came out of me. I started becoming conscious of the way I look. My hair, makeup, nails. I started to admire those types of traits and started to take that part of my brand and myself seriously. Prior to playing Nkem, I never used to do my nails, I just cut them myself but after Nkem you can’t see my nails unpolished.
So Nkem inspired you?
She definitely did. She inspired me to be a better version of myself.
The post EXCLUSIVE: “The desire to succeed keeps me going” – Beverly Naya appeared first on Impelling Africa.