Over the years, British-born Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya, has continued to dazzle Nigerian movie screens, and she says that all credit goes to God.
Ovwe Medeme caught up with her at the screening of her latest appearance, The Wedding Party, in which she plays the role of the sassy Rosy.
What was playing Rosy in The Wedding Party like?
It was amazing. I think it was such an enjoyable experience because, as you can see, we’ve got an ensemble cast made up of fantastic actors. The crew was amazing. The production houses involved were phenomenal as well. So was the director. So I feel like all together, we produced a fantastic film.
The experience was just wonderful because there was a lot of unity on set which ensured that we got through successfully. It’s one of those films I’m truly proud of. I’m very excited about its release. I can’t wait for it to come out so people can see exactly what I’m talking about. But it’s definitely an amazing film.
What drew you to the script?
I would say it was the story and what it deals with. First of all, it’s hilarious. But then it deals with weddings in Nigeria, specifically Lagos. And we know how our weddings are in Lagos. They are lavish, they are loud, they are flamboyant, so I could picture where they were going while reading the script and the comedy was just insane. So, I think that’s definitely what drew me to the script.
You also played villain in The Arbitration. Are you deliberately picking such scripts?
Definitely not.This is how it works. We have films that we shoot and some of them come out before others. I’m definitely not about playing the villain all the time. But then, The Arbitration just happens to come out a few months after we shot it. And The Wedding Party was shot this year in July and we are ready to release it soon. So it really depends on the production behind it and how soon they are ready to release. I have a ton of films that are coming out soon and you’ll definitely see a variety.
You have been in the cinemas a lot lately…
Which is good. I’m glad I have been. That means there is a consistency there. I still have other films coming out too so I’m really excited. But for The Wedding Party, I think that’s the one we are really excited about right now because it’s definitely going to be a really big film.
Did you have to visit a Babalawo to make that happen?
No way. It’s just God. It’s only God. I mean, I’m the type of person that believes that everything is possible with God. And before I take on anything, I just wait for him to answer me. By that, I mean I wait to know that it’s in my path. If it’s meant to be, it will happen. If it doesn’t, I don’t really get upset because I feel like something better is happening. That’s basically my motto.
That’s how I live my life. So I think that’s what’s been working for me. I’m on my path.
How spiritual would you say you are?
I would like to think I’m very spiritual. I’m still working on my journey. But I would like to think that I have a very good relationship with God. I pray about everything, I pray about every decision. I try not to take things into my own hands because I think that’s the beginning of a downfall. So, the fact that I am where I am today is definitely God’s grace. I give him the glory. I don’t claim any of it, to be honest.
How similar are you to Rosy?
In my very honest opinion, I don’t think I’m like Rosy. I can’t go and seduce a man who’s going to get married just because I feel I can. I can’t do that. I feel like Rosy is an extremely sassy person and she’s in your face. I’m very reserved. I don’t just walk into a room and announce my presence. That’s not me.
So you’ve never snatched any girl’s boyfriend?
(Laughs)No no no no. I’m as calm as you know what. So I avoid situations like that. I don’t think we are similar in any way. I do feel like she’s a woman who has a lot of issues. I don’t go around wanting to be hated. And I think Rosy has no problem with being hated by the world. We are not similar in that regard.
This is the 11th month of the year. How would you say you have fared?
This has been such an amazing year for me, for my brand, as well as for my acting career. I’ve done some amazing things. I’ve been in some amazing films. I’ve collaborated with amazing brands, so I feel it has been a great year for me. And oddly enough, it’s the year that I’ve worked less. Because I decided to spend some more time thinking and understanding what I want and how I want to be projected. And it paid off. I think it paid off tremendously.
Looking back in the year, is there any part you’ll like to replay and then change some scenes?
This year? Not at all. As I said, my strategy has been ‘let go; let God’. I’ve done that the entire year and it has been my best year so far.
What was playing Rosy in The Wedding Party like?
It was amazing. I think it was such an enjoyable experience because, as you can see, we’ve got an ensemble cast made up of fantastic actors. The crew was amazing. The production houses involved were phenomenal as well. So was the director. So I feel like all together, we produced a fantastic film.
The experience was just wonderful because there was a lot of unity on set which ensured that we got through successfully. It’s one of those films I’m truly proud of. I’m very excited about its release. I can’t wait for it to come out so people can see exactly what I’m talking about. But it’s definitely an amazing film.
What drew you to the script?
I would say it was the story and what it deals with. First of all, it’s hilarious. But then it deals with weddings in Nigeria, specifically Lagos. And we know how our weddings are in Lagos. They are lavish, they are loud, they are flamboyant, so I could picture where they were going while reading the script and the comedy was just insane. So, I think that’s definitely what drew me to the script.
You also played villain in The Arbitration. Are you deliberately picking such scripts?
Definitely not.This is how it works. We have films that we shoot and some of them come out before others. I’m definitely not about playing the villain all the time. But then, The Arbitration just happens to come out a few months after we shot it. And The Wedding Party was shot this year in July and we are ready to release it soon. So it really depends on the production behind it and how soon they are ready to release. I have a ton of films that are coming out soon and you’ll definitely see a variety.
You have been in the cinemas a lot lately…
Which is good. I’m glad I have been. That means there is a consistency there. I still have other films coming out too so I’m really excited. But for The Wedding Party, I think that’s the one we are really excited about right now because it’s definitely going to be a really big film.
Did you have to visit a Babalawo to make that happen?
No way. It’s just God. It’s only God. I mean, I’m the type of person that believes that everything is possible with God. And before I take on anything, I just wait for him to answer me. By that, I mean I wait to know that it’s in my path. If it’s meant to be, it will happen. If it doesn’t, I don’t really get upset because I feel like something better is happening. That’s basically my motto.
That’s how I live my life. So I think that’s what’s been working for me. I’m on my path.
How spiritual would you say you are?
I would like to think I’m very spiritual. I’m still working on my journey. But I would like to think that I have a very good relationship with God. I pray about everything, I pray about every decision. I try not to take things into my own hands because I think that’s the beginning of a downfall. So, the fact that I am where I am today is definitely God’s grace. I give him the glory. I don’t claim any of it, to be honest.
How similar are you to Rosy?
In my very honest opinion, I don’t think I’m like Rosy. I can’t go and seduce a man who’s going to get married just because I feel I can. I can’t do that. I feel like Rosy is an extremely sassy person and she’s in your face. I’m very reserved. I don’t just walk into a room and announce my presence. That’s not me.
So you’ve never snatched any girl’s boyfriend?
(Laughs)No no no no. I’m as calm as you know what. So I avoid situations like that. I don’t think we are similar in any way. I do feel like she’s a woman who has a lot of issues. I don’t go around wanting to be hated. And I think Rosy has no problem with being hated by the world. We are not similar in that regard.
This is the 11th month of the year. How would you say you have fared?
This has been such an amazing year for me, for my brand, as well as for my acting career. I’ve done some amazing things. I’ve been in some amazing films. I’ve collaborated with amazing brands, so I feel it has been a great year for me. And oddly enough, it’s the year that I’ve worked less. Because I decided to spend some more time thinking and understanding what I want and how I want to be projected. And it paid off. I think it paid off tremendously.
Looking back in the year, is there any part you’ll like to replay and then change some scenes?
This year? Not at all. As I said, my strategy has been ‘let go; let God’. I’ve done that the entire year and it has been my best year so far.
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