IN CONVERSATION WITH NAOMI ACKIE

interview JANA LETONJA

Award-winning actress and producer Naomi Ackie will star in Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut ‘Blink Twice’, which will be released theatrically on 23rd August. She will also star in Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho’s feature Mickey 17, which is set to be released on January 31, 2025. One of Naomi’s most notable recent roles was the portrayal of Whitney Houston in Sony’s biopic ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.

Naomi, we’ll be seeing you in the psychological thriller ‘Blink Twice’. Tell us more about the story of the film and about your role in it.

It's about a young woman who gets invited to a private island. Everything is cocktails and sunshine, until it's not.

How special was it working on this film, which marks Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut?

So special and such a privilege to watch such an artist work. Zoë's amazing and so smart in how she chose to deliver her message. I learnt so much watching her and it's so inspiring. 

What did you creatively enjoy the most about this film?

I really enjoyed creating a character with so many layers and contradictions. It's a dream to play a character who is so vastly different from the begging to the end.

Later this year, we’ll also be seeing you in the sci-fi film ‘Mickey 17’. What can we expect from it when it hits the screens?

I'm so excited about it. I haven't seen it yet. We can expect the excellence that comes from director Bong's mind. The cast was so crazily incredible, a dream come true to work with. I'm pinching myself. 

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dress FENDI
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full look CHLOE
necklace BVLGARI

One of your most notable roles was the portrayal of iconic Whitney Houston in the biopic ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’. What did getting cast on this film and the film itself mean to you personally and professionally?

Professionally, it was a chance for me stretch myself in a way I never knew I was capable of. And leading in from that, personally, it has offered me the gift of being fearless. I've done the scariest role I could ever do and I survived, so bring it on.

How did you prepare for the role, to portray Whitney?

A lot of technical stuff. Accent work, movement work and then exploring Whitney's emotional world, which is so complex and was a joy to explore, research and imagine.

Which role do you see as the breakthrough role of your career, and why?

I don't think I have one. I look at my career from project to project. I've been really lucky to explore a variety of roles and I hope that continues, breakthrough or not. 

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full look LOEWE
rings CARTIER

How did you develop interest in acting, and what was the thing that made you pursue it as a career?

It started as a child, at 11 years old. It's been a long journey to get here and really, my career is a map of me growing up. I just studied, got obsessed, practiced, got obsessed some more and took every opportunity to master what I love to do. And still doing the exact same format nearly 20 years later.

Tell us more about yourself when you are not acting. What are the things you enjoy the most in your spare time?

I love to chill, go to gym, and hanging out. I am still looking for the right hobbies so if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

What role does fashion play in your life, and what do you love the most about it?

Weirdly, a lot and a little. When I'm working, it's my joy to try new things out and capture my essence with clothes and hair and makeup. But in real life, I'm so toned down no one notices me. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl. And I'm talking the same t-shirt I've had for years.

TEAM CREDITS

talent NAOMI ACKIE
photographer BARTEK SZMIGULSKI
stylist EMILY EVANS
makeup KENNETH SOH
hair JAMES CATALANO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN