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.
