Video: Naomie Harris on Oscars race discrimination - Harper's Bazaar

Naomie Harris on Oscars race discrimination

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Published on 25 Feb 2016

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Naomie, Nicole Jody and more Inside Soneva Fushi's 20th Anniversary Celebrations, Maldives - Harper's Bazaar 25.11.15

INSIDE SONEVA FUSHI’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

The luxury resort in the Maldives celebrates its 20th birthday

25 NOVEMBER 2015

Dancing Naomie 

Naomie Harris with her brother Max and mother Carmen 

Naomie Harris learns how to make Maldivian delicacies from Soneva Fushi’s award-winning chef Sobar

Nicole Scherzinger, Ben Fogle and Naomie Harris at the cocktail reception on the sandbank 

 Naomie Harris poses with children from Soneva Fushi’s Learn To Swim programme, which is designed to help Maldivian children become more confident in the water and inspire a new generation of Maldivians to protect their endangered coral reefs

Naomie with buzz Aldrin

Photo of the Day: Naomie in Harper's Bazaar February 2014

Naomie Harris for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Magazine – February 2014

Naomie Harris: A Star Apart - Harper's Bazaar

Naomie Harris: A Star Apart - Harper's Bazaar 

Harper's Bazaar UK ‏@BazaarUK

Our biggest girl crush right now: Naomie Harris 

Naomie Harris is an enigma – a Hollywood star who goes incognito, a brilliant actress who aspires to be a novelist... and a sex symbol who never strips off. Lydia Slater meets the actress.

As Naomie Harris glides into the Refuel restaurant in London’s chic Soho Hotel, heads turn at every table. She’s wearing skinny leather trousers, Louboutin boots and a black Margiela jumper, and her effortless elegance and the intelligent beauty of her face make her stand out. Nevertheless, an air of slight puzzle- ment pervades the room. This is clearly somebody, but nobody is quite sure who. And that’s exactly how this elusive actress likes it. "Being recognised everywhere would be horrific,’ she says. ‘I’ve seen what it’s like for Daniel Craig."

Harris’ quest to remain anonymous, despite her fame and success, has seen her pursuing roles that are as different from one another as possible. As Winnie Mandela in the much-lauded Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, she brings tears to the eyes. Her next role will be a complete contrast, as she takes on the butt-kicking Miss Moneypenny in the new Bond movie. This versatility is a point of principle. "My American agents had real problems because they couldn’t understand that the girl in Pirates of the Caribbean was also the girl in Miami Vice, and in 28 Days Later," she admits. But she’s not worried about the prospect of missing out on roles as a result. "I’ve never been material-istic – I just choose roles that interest me. That’s been an advantage because I’ve never been typecast."

In other ways, too, Harris defies the expectations of the all-powerful film industry. As a strikingly beautiful woman, she has naturally been expected to disrobe
on screen. And she has been steadfast in her refusal ever to do so. "No arse, no tits," she says flatly. "It’s always a body double. I am a very strong person. I’ve always been different – and I’m wilful. You can’t persuade me to do something if I’ve decided against it. If something doesn’t work out, then the role isn’t mine, it wasn’t meant to be. But it’s never happened."

Harris’ insistence on ploughing her own furrow is possibly an inherited characteristic: her mother, Carmen, who is of Jamaican descent, had her when she was just 18 and brought her up alone. Naomie recalls sitting in a corner and drawing as a small child, while her mother attended sociology lectures at university. Subsequently, Carmen became a scriptwriter for shows including EastEnders, and is now a healer. "She always instilled in me this belief that anything was possible and that challenges didn’t exist," says Harris admiringly. "People talk about racism, but my mum would say, 'It’s only in your head.' Given that she was still a child herself really, it was quite extraordinary. I still believe I can fly – because anything is possible."

The actress’ desire to act is similarly innate. Although Harris was a shy child, she was also a natural performer. "At five, I’d be acting in front of the mirror, making myself cry. I always knew I wanted to be an actress." By the time she was 10, she was a regular on the BBC children’s TV series Simon and the Witch. After studying social and political science at Cambridge, she attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School; her first major role, in Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic horror film 28 Days Later, shot her to international fame. Appearances in big-budget blockbusters, including two Pirates of the Caribbean films, Miami Viceand Skyfall, have followed, interspersed with well-regarded indie films such as Michael Winterbottom’s A Cock and Bull Story. She also played Elizabeth Lavenza in Boyle’s stage production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre – a role that wasn’t originally envisaged for a black actress, but as we know, Harris enjoys confounding expecta- tions. However, she is not comfortable with being a spokesperson for equal opportunities. "I’m not sure whether it helps to get on my soapbox about it," she says in her low, musical voice. "I think, do the best you can, try and create jobs for yourself where there weren’t any before, and just by doing that, you become a role model."

Harris’ career is soaring, but she is happiest with her feet on the ground. She has just bought her first home, on the same north-London street as her mother’s, and spends as much time as she can there, reading and pottering around her kitchen. "My life has nothing to do with the film world at all," she says. At 37, her face remains youthful, and Harris says she has no fear of ageing. "I love it. I love the way I’ve become more comfortable in my own skin. I remember being younger, trapped in my shyness, just wanting to disappear. It’s such a relief to feel I’m here and happy being me." And the thought of cosmetic surgery makes her burst out laughing. "I definitely haven’t had any work done. Believe me! That strange, bloated, Botoxed face isn’t very attractive – and to have life written on your face is an important part of being an actress," she says.

Having worked with children for the Mandela film, Harris says she would now love to start a family of her own. She’s not worried about the implications of taking a career break to do so – for, despite her success, her real ambitions lie elsewhere. "At 13, I wrote a novel," she says. "In the long term, writing is definitely what I’m going to do." And with that, this charmingly contrary star slips away and melts effortlessly into the crowd. 

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom was released nationwide on 3 January.    

A treat for Luther lovers: Idris Elba and Alice Morgan reunite on the red carpet 

By JUDY COGAN

PUBLISHED: 10:47, 6 November 2013 | UPDATED: 12:41, 6 November 2013

It's a sight Luther fans have wanted to see since the finale of the TV drama series in July this year. 

DCI John Luther and the murderous Alice Morgan reunited - or rather Idris Elba and actress Ruth Wilson who portrayed Luther and Alice came together in a warm embrace on the red carpet. 

The pair crossed paths at 2013 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at London's Claridge's Hotel on Tuesday where Idris took home the Man of the Year award. 

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Reunited: Ruth Wilson gives her former Luther co-star Idris Elba at big kiss on the red carpet of the Harpers Bazaar Woman of the Year awards in London

Funny face: Ruth Wilson looked pleased to see her former co-star Idris Elba as he showed off his Man of the Year award

A treat for Luther lovers: Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson reunite on the red carpet seen for the first time together since Luther ended in July

Ruth looked stunning in a boldly colourful Peter Pilotto gown that epitomised the London designer's distinctive worldly prints and soft sculptural lines inspired by science and nature. 

The dresses orange panels set off Ruth's red hair beautifully and made her stand out from more traditionally safe fashion choices on the red carpet. 

She kept her make-up simple and accessories to a minimum and wore classic black peep-toe shoes in order to allow the gown to shine. 

Show stopper: Ruth looked stunning in a boldly colourful Peter Pilotto with a daring sheer panel, worldly prints and soft sculptural lines inspired by science and nature

Fired up: The dresses orange panels set off Ruth's red hair beautifully and made her stand out from more traditional fashion choices on the red carpet

Pulled it off: Ruth looked stunning in her adventurous choice of outfit

In contrast to Ruth's colour pop on the evening Idris wore top to toe black with a buttoned up long sleeve top, smart tailored black trousers and loafers with no socks. 

But on arriving to the event he looked even more dapper topping off his look with a three quarter length, double breasted sky blue wool coat with soft velvet collar.  

The 41-year-old actor looked very happy to be representing the boys having won Man of the Year award and the female focused awards ceremony.  

On for the boys: 41-year-old Idris Elba looked very happy to be representing the boys having won Man of the Year award and the female focused awards ceremony

Thumbs up: Idris looked dapper topping off his look with a three quarter length, double breasted sky blue wool coat with soft velvet collar

Luther to Loafer: Idris looked smart in a sky blue coat and loafers with no socks among an array of celebrities arriving to the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards at London's Claridge's Hotel

A star turn: Idris Elba posed on the red carpet with American actress Gillian Anderson before the ceremony

Luther fans will be happy with news that since BBC drama Luther came to an in July it has been confirmed that the hit series will get the big screen treatment.

Big Screen: Luther is set to be made into a prequel movie starring Idris Elba

Writer Neil Cross has revealed that most of the cast will be back for the anticipated film, including leading man Idris Elba and Warren Brown as the detective’s sidekick Justin Ripley.

Viewers saw Ripley shot dead in the TV finale in July but Cross has revealed he was so keen to include the character in the film that he’s penned a prequel script.

Cross has revealed that it didn’t feel right doing a movie without Brown’s character, so it made sense to go back to the beginning for the film.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Cross revealed: ‘I’ve written the script and we hope to get the film made next year.

‘Idris is a brilliant leading man and we’ve hoped to turn Luther into a movie for a long time.’

Whilst Luther lovers will no doubt be thrilled by the resurgence of Ripley and other characters including Luther’s wife Zoe (Indira Varma) and colleague Ian Reed (Steve Mackintosh), the prequel leaves no room for the popular character of Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson) to make an appearance.

However, Ruth could reprise her role as murderous Alice though, with rumours of a spin off series.

Winny an award: Naomie Harris appeared at Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards in a bra-revealing Gucci gown after picking up the coveted award for British Actress of the Year

Strapping gal: Bond girl Naomie Harris plays Winnie Mandela in the hotly anticipated biopic Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom 

Happy with her win: Naomie looked stunning in a Gucci gown and much younger than her 37 years

Meanwhile, Idris is set to star in hugely-anticipated Nelson Mandela movie Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom alongisde Naomie Harris who was also in attendance at the Harpers Bazaar event. 

Naomie, 37, appeared at Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards in a bra-revealing Gucci gown after picking up the coveted award for British Actress of the Year.

British actor Idris plays the extraordinary South African leader and campaigner and he is heard reading from Mandela’s autobiography A Long Walk To Freedom – in a convincing accent.

The long walk: Idris Elba and Naomie Harris star as Nelson and Winnie in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom out in January 2014

The Luther star’s first words are ‘I have walked the long walk to freedom. It has been a long walk and it is not over yet’.

Bond girl Naomie Harris plays Winnie Mandela in the biopic, and she has her own new poster for the film, which has the tagline ‘the leader you knew, the woman you didn’t’.

The movie, released in the UK in January 2014, tells the extraordinary story of Mandela's life, from his childhood in a rural village to being imprisoned on Robben Island and then becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa in 1994.

Freedom: Idris plays the extraordinary South African leader and campaigner and he is heard reading from Mandela¿s autobiography A Long Walk To Freedom ¿ in a convincing accent

Idris, Ruth and Naomie were joined on the red carpet by the great and good of the fashion and showbiz worlds, including Oscar-winning British actor Colin Firth and his wife Livia, who picked up the Green Award and Victoria and Brooklyn Beckham. 

Rita Ora certainly commanded attention as she hit the red carpet, showing off newly-dyed platinum locks that were so bright they were almost white.

On the cusp: Naomi is best known for her turn as a Bong Girl in Skyfall, but is set for super stardom thanks to her impressive portrayal of Winnie Mandela

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2488292/A-treat-Luther-lovers-Idris-Elba-Alice-Morgan-reunite-red-carpet.html#ixzz2juKhLh7Q
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