Discover why Naomi is passionate about empowering girls worldwide
9 May, 2019
British actor and singer, Naomi Scott, is about to take to our screens as Princess Jasmine in the live action remake of Disneyās Aladdin. A passionate Compassion-supporter for more than seven years, we caught up with Naomi to hear, in her own words, why sheās determined to champion the voice of girls worldwide.
Rwanda is such an incredible country. The communities I visited as part of the Different Path appeal were amazing and the people I met so resilient. I saw for myself how people came together. That was the underlying theme of the trip ā the universal language of women coming together, helping and empowering each other.
Mothers are the source of life, so I saw how beginning to educate women and help women at that stage of life has such a positive knock on effect to so many different aspects including poverty and economic growth.
For me, I love that in the context of a Compassion project, which is always connected to a local church and always rooted in a community, pregnant women get the education and help they need to ensure a healthier life for their family. That has an incredible impact on future generations.
When I visited the Compassion project I saw that giving children hope is the heart and culture of Compassion.
I remember that we went to the head offices and we saw how sponsorsā letters are sorted. We learnt so much about how children are incredibly protected through the sponsorship programme. We met a guy called Tsehaywota who is the National Director for Compassion Ethiopia. He is an amazingly humble man. It struck me that all the staff were so welcoming and so joyful and enthusiastic about what they are doing. The heart for children really does run through the whole organisation.
I saw the impact Compassion has on a childās life. That when you sponsor a child , you provide them with medical care, tend to their emotional and social well-being and ensure the chance for a great education. It's very holistic which is something I really love. Ultimately, itās showing Godās love and showing Godās grace.
For me, itās all about instilling value and hope. I think when we feel valued we begin to dream, thatās where it starts. Itās so important to get young girls to understand that they have a voice, they have something to offer.
The women I met in Rwanda, women like Ernestine and Eugenia, were so inspiring! They took nothing and made something.
With the Child Survival projects, I saw the impact when women started daring to think, daring to dream. When they came together you could see that they felt loved. You could see Compassion is helping women understand theyāve got more to offer, growing them and giving them more opportunities.
Iāve always tried to be very thoughtful about the roles Iāve taken.
When the opportunity came up for the Aladdin remake, I was very aware that Jasmine was my princess growing up. So yes, I wanted to connect with her on that level, but I also wanted to take the role further.
Itās 2019 and I love what Disney are doing with their heroines. I can remember sitting down with one of our producers and asking about their vision for the character and it really felt like we were on the same page.
We say these words like āstrongā ā thatās a buzz word right now ā we want āstrong womenā. But for me, itās also about telling a womanās story. Having a female narrative, whatever that female narrative is.
I love that what we envisioned for Jasmine was yes, all of those things we loved about her in the iconic animated version of the film. But also, that we wanted to portray sheās actually fighting for choice and the liberty and freedom of her kingdom. [The director] Guy Ritchie was championing that. Jasmine wants to lead her people! She can see that Jafar is a dodgy geezer! Her objective at the beginning of the movie is āhow can I connect with the people so I can lead them?ā
In the Aladdin movie weāve got this incredible new song called āSpeechlessā. The essence of the song is all about finding your voice. What a timely thing! There are so many people in our world whoāve been silenced, shut down, neglected. I know itās a song in a Disney movie ā and the issues weāve seen and the issues that Compassion deals with are two different things ā however, for me, they still connect in a way. Iām so passionate about giving people a voice.
This might sound a silly thing, but in the Aladdin trailer I walk down steep stairs and Iām in this crazy outfit, Iāve got high heels on and Iāve got a dress with a 10 ft train! So weāre filming me walking down the stairs and the doors open and the team say āNay, do you think you could just not look down?ā. And do you know what? Thatās one of those moments when you feel like joking, āoo sure, why donāt you try this dress on, try these heels on and try and walk down stairs while looking up!ā.
But Iām a very competitive person and I said, alright, Iāve got to do this! I did it and I was incredibly proud. I walked down the stairs and I didnāt look at my feet once! Which of all the stunts that Mena Massoud [Aladdin] did, all the stuff that Will Smith [Genie] did, I guarantee you neither of them would have been able to do that!
Having Elizabeth Banks at the helm of Charlieās Angels was incredible. What a smart, amazingly talented, multi-faceted woman. Because sheās an actress, she wanted us to make our own choices. It was kind of scary at times but it was brilliant!
She was fantastic. Even something so small as the fact Kirsten Stewart, Ella Balinska [the other Angels] and myself are such different heights! Thereās often a push to make the cast the same so itās so refreshing that Elizabeth said, āI donāt care that youāre different heights, youāre different peopleā.
My role in Power Rangers was really interesting for me because it was incredibly physical. And again the outfits were a challenge! Me and fellow Ranger Becky Gomez literally felt like Tellytubbies in those suits! It wasnāt just latex, there were loads of layers so it felt like armour. You couldnāt even walk so we kind of had to waddle!
My husband and I were actually talking about this yesterday. Sometimes we get asked the question, āHow do you juggle your faith and what you do?ā But for me, I donāt know how I would do life without my faith.
That peace that you know youāre loved and valued is something that keeps me incredibly grounded, incredibly focused. Quite honestly, I donāt see it as this separate thing, this add on thing. My faith is just a part of who I am and what I do.
Life is incredibly exciting at the moment, thereās a lot going on. We just think wow. Godās grace. But no matter what happens, no matter what somebody says about me on Twitter, whatever the future holds, to know that that doesnāt define me is incredible. To know that doesnāt inform my identity in any way shape or form (although itās easier said than done sometimes). Thatās going to be the thing keeping me going. Keeping the main thing, the main thing throughout.
Music was always my first love. Itās part of who I am. It just so happens that there have been other creative things and outlets and the acting has come to the forefront timing-wise. But in terms of all the different aspects of me, I view them all as one. Iām an artist and love to create things.
Iām really excited about getting my new music out this year. Even in the music industry there are certain traps you can fall into in terms of having to do something a certain way, chasing the streams, chasing the views. You know, when Jordan and I discuss stuff like that we say, āletās simply do the work that we love.ā
Reading? Iāve just read this booked called āJust Mercyā by Bryan Stevenson. Itās an incredible, incredible story. You should read it!
Watching? Iām always so inspired by movies like the Isle of Dogs, Grand Budapest Hotel and Wes Andersonās Moonrise Kingdom.
Listening to? Iām obsessed with Koffee, Ariana Grandeās new album, Solange.
Wearing? I have this jacket which Iāve absolutely overworn! Itās a bomber jacket and itās my favourite thing in the world. Jordan bought it for me for my birthday.
Thankful for? I have the best team and the best family around me.
Praying for? Weāre just praying that we enjoy this upcoming time and that we always keep the main thing the main thing.
Naomi Scott is raising awareness of the challenges faced by mums and babies in Togo, West Africa as part of Compassion UKās Different Path appeal. Even though our appeal is now closed you can still donate. Your gift won't be doubled by the UK government, but it will still make a big difference.Ā
Get an insight into Naomiās trip to Rwanda where she met mums with powerful stories of overcoming poverty and finding their voices. You can also follow Naomi Scott's Instagram.
WORDS : Naomi Scott, Rebecca Corbett
PHOTOS : Peter Nicholls