Actress Naomie Harris, who plays Paula a drug addicted black woman in the Oscar nominated film, Moonlight, told CBS that she initially said “no” to the role, because there was already enough negative portrayals of black women, and that she had to overcome “judgement” she had towards women like her character Paula.
“I feel that there are enough negative portrayals of women in general, and black women in particular,” she said. “I grew up with this really strong mother – really intelligent, powerful, independent – and I’ve always admired her. She was part of a group of strong, powerful women as well. I very rarely saw those women represented then. So I initially said no to the role.’”
On overcoming judgment to play the role:“I had so much judgment, actually, and I really had to work very hard to overcome that judgment,” she said about understanding Paula. “What you do as an actor is you’re inhabiting souls. And you’re asking those souls to come into your space. And you could only do that in a non-judgmental way.”
Harris’ performance earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod and several other accolades.
Thanks for saying YES! Naomie
