Beverly Naya Part 2: Becoming a Nollywood Star, Acting, Filmmaking & Building Her Legacy - One54 Africa
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Award-winning Beverly Naya joins the One54 Podcast for an inspiring conversation about her remarkable journey from London to Lagos to New York, building one of the most successful careers in Nollywood. Beverly Naya reflects on becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa honoree, creating her groundbreaking Netflix documentary Skin, and how she continues to evolve as an actress, filmmaker, producer, and storyteller.
Beverly shares the fascinating story behind her Nigerian name, why she adopted "Naya" professionally, and how moving between the UK, Nigeria, and the United States shaped her identity, accent, and worldview. She also opens up about Nigerian customs and traditions, culture shock, and the lessons she's learned from living across three continents.
The conversation dives into London vs. New York vs. Lagos, comparing fashion, food, lifestyle, and the entertainment industries. Beverly Naya explains why she chose New York over Los Angeles, discusses protecting her mental health while pursuing success, and shares her perspective on authenticity, comparison culture, and finding balance in the spotlight.
Beverly also breaks down the differences between British and American education, why the UK produces so many world-class actors, and how Shakespeare training develops stronger performers. She reveals how her parents encouraged her creative ambitions while ensuring she had a practical backup plan, leading her to study filmmaking before launching her acting career in Nollywood.
From growing up as an only child in a Nigerian household to landing her first major acting opportunities, Beverly shares the defining moments that changed her life, including the stage performance that convinced her mother she was destined to become an actress. She also discusses why she's now focusing more on filmmaking, scriptwriting, and producing meaningful stories.
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