Nigeria's U.K-born actress, BEVERLY NAYA talks about her weakness

Not many men can resist or ignore the presence of a woman who is not only beautiful but possesses the ability to carry herself like a lady yet retaining the charm, grace, vocal projection and sensual appeal of a goddess in human skin.

While a good numbers of women are fortunate enough to have some of these qualities, a few have them in abundance and a classic example of such women would be Nigeria’s U.K-born and fast-rising actress, Beverly Naya.

Blessed with smile and looks that could lure an Eskimo into buying ice, Naya has clearly carved a clear niche for herself in the competitive movie industry and her acting prowess speaks volumes of her worth in the world filled with lights, movie scripts, actors, directors, graphic artistes, stuntmen, producers, make-over artistes and many others.

In a recent chat with Simply Samad in Lagos, the actress opened up on several aspects of her life including her acting career, her preferences as a person and also summed up her 2011 experience.

Interestingly, like all mortal beings, Naya also acknowledged the fact that she’s totally human and as such, also has a weakness.

Excerpts:

Naya, How was 2011 for you?

It was an amazing year for me. I worked so much and it was ecstatic. I was on three jobs in the last quarter of 2011and it was brilliant. In 2011, I shot ‘Weekend get-Away;’ produced by Emem Isong and directed by Desmond Elliot and it is star studded so it’s an amazing movie to look out for this year. I was also on ‘Alan Poser,’ which was produced and directed by Charles Novia. I shot ‘Up Creek without a Paddle.’ That movie was really big budget and we shot it in Bayelsa. We shot it for 8 weeks and the crew was international so it was an amazing project. I’m really excited about that one. It has been an amazing year for me I must say.

Naya, within the last six years and now, there must have been a major difference in certain aspects of your life especially as regards your lifestyle, the kind of company you keep, the places you hang out and all that. Can you tell us about some of that?

Lifestyle, not really because I’ve been blessed. Nigerian weather is brilliant for my skin especially Lagos. I don’t know… Maybe it’s the way the sun is situated. I really can’t tell but it’s very good for my skin. Personality, I haven’t changed. I’m still the way I am. I’m still shy Beverly but I love to meet with people and make new friends. I’m still the same person. In regards to career, definitely! There has been a huge difference. Also friends! I’ve made a lot of friends here too and I equally support them whenever I can. I’m so proud of them. It has just been amazing. I am continually growing and learning new things. The future is looking very amazing.

I’m curious Naya… What’s your biggest temptation as a person? Something you always try to stay away from because you know you have a weakness for it…

Okay! That would be sweets (Giggles out loud). I eat too many sweets.

How about chocolates?

No way! I’m not a chocolate person. It’s just sweets; candy. I love them. I get really bad craving for sweets so if I can avoid it, I do. If I don’t have my sweets, I get grumpy. So, I have to avoid it for the sake of looking good (Giggles). Yeah! It would have to be sweets.

Where did you grow up again?

London.

Is that where you were born as well?

Yeah! I was born in London but now I’m back here and I love it here.

As 2012 continues to roll in, what should your fans look out for?

You should be looking out for my new movies; the three that I told you about before. All of them will be out this year. So, it’s looking very promising and they’re all in cinemas. They should be looking out for that as well as other projects that I’m going to be doing. They should be looking out for that also. They should just be watching me grow as an actress and as a person. Look at this baby that is growing into something amazing.

Has love been fair to you? I know you’re not married except you want to surprise me

I’ve had my fair share. Let’s just put it like that. I’ve had my fair share. I haven’t found my ideal man yet but I know he’s out there for me.

Would you describe that ideal man for me?

He would be ambitious. He’d be handsome and he’d be God-fearing obviously. He would have to dress good, speak well and be a gentleman. I love a real gentleman. If he’s not a gentleman, it can’t work. It’s really important to me because I carry myself like a lady so I expect a man to treat me like I am a lady. So, that’s very important to me.

Given the nature of your job, I know that you’re always out there and your male fans have access to you whenever you’re in the open. Now, we have those of them who go beyond mere appreciation of your acting skills and want to go the extra mile. How do you deal with this category of fans who crave intimacy?

I appreciate each and every one of them. Honestly! I know how to handle them. I usually don’t want to bruise their ego in any way so I just make sure I’m kind to them. I don’t want them to feel like I’m a snub in any way so I just make sure that I’m very kind with my words. I still engage them in conversations but I wouldn’t cross the line and they obviously understand that and they respect that. I haven’t experienced any negative or horrible fan or even the obsessive ones.

By Samod Biobaku

simplysamad@yahoo.com