Naomie Harris Born September 6, 1976. Starred as Selena~28 Days Later, Tia Dalma/Calypso~2nd+3rd Pirates of the Caribbean, Eve Moneypenny in Skyfall and SPECTRE.Winnie Mandela in Mandela:Long Walk to Freedom.Southpaw, Our Kind of Traitor,Moonlight (Oscar Nominee) plus Collateral Beauty and Jungle Book (2018)
There is no better backdrop for luxury brands to showcase than at the Cannes Film Festival. Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, and Elizabeth Taylor juxtaposed fur and jewels with film and the French Riviera in iconic photographs. And now Naomie Harris, the Oscar-nominated actress and Skyfall’s own Eve Moneypenny, carries on the glamorous tradition of dazzling at Cannes.
Last week, Harris—who is brand ambassador for Atelier Swarovski—swept into the opening ceremony wearing the brand’s new sustainable line of fine jewelry. For someone like Harris, who is attending this year’s festival in her role as ambassador, the red carpet is the main event: “The most memorable moment for me was walking the red carpet—of course, in my Swarovski—and feeling confident, beautiful, and empowered.”
Naomie Harris and Sir Patrick Stewart pose in the press room during the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at Royal Albert Hall on February 18, 2018 in London, England.
Naomie Harris's ever-soaring career has seen her take Hollywood by storm (last year she picked up an awards-season sweep of Best Supporting Actress nods for Moonlight), but her most recent role is focused on her home city. As a new patron for Intermission Youth Theatre, the Islington-born actress is throwing her support behind the next generation of actors and vulnerable young people in London. Here, she tells us why the arts are vital, who gave her the best advice of her career, and the tips she wants to pass on to those following in her footsteps.
What is crucial about the work that Intermission Youth Theatre does, and how did you get involved?
Intermission Youth Theatre is a year-long drama programme for young people from London’s inner-city communities. The young people are aged between 16 and 25 and come from tough backgrounds - they may be ex-offenders, at risk of offending, or simply lacking opportunities in life. Intermission not only provides a crucial role in channelling the talents of these potentially vulnerable young people, but also in mentoring and life skills coaching. It’s not just about acting - it’s about the whole person (body/mind/spirit). I got involved because I saw an Intermission play and was literally blown away by the phenomenal performances, direction and writing on display. As Intermission doesn’t receive any government funding and is kept going through private donations, I wanted to do everything I could to spread the word about them.
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How can the arts benefit young, potentially vulnerable people?
The arts play a vital role in society as they provide insights into experiences from around the world; as well as from all walks of life. These insights into alternate cultures, societies and ways of living offer us the opportunity to develop greater understanding and compassion for our fellow human beings; by helping us to see the universal struggles and concerns that we share. For young, vulnerable people the arts are particularly beneficial both because they provide a platform for self-expression, and also because they enable people to gain a wider perspective of the world; as well as having their own experiences reflected back to them which helps them to feel not alone and validated.
Shakespeare is still important today because issues such as knife crime, postcode rivalry, gang warfare, jealousy, love, rage etc are sadly still current today. And, also because if you can conquer Shakespeare as a performer you can conquer anything! So there really isn’t any more edifying material for a young performer to cut their teeth on.Shakespeare is at the heart of the creative process at IYT, why do you think it's important for young people to still engage with his work in the present day?
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What do you think the main challenges are that young actors face now? What should the industry be doing to overcome them?
The lack of funding for training. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are being put off from entering the profession because they just don’t have the money to pay for training, which would once have been either free or subsidised by the government. This is a loss to those talented young people, as well as a loss to the profession as a whole as it’s not being fed with the diversity of talent it once was. To overcome this, the government needs to provide greater funding for the arts generally, and for training in the arts in particular.
Do you think that established actors have a responsibility to help the next generation?
I think in any profession where people have knowledge and insights to share that can help the next generation they should absolutely do so. I would have loved the chance to ask a successful actor questions about how to survive the industry when I was an aspiring actress, so it’s my honour to be in a position now to do that for the next generation of performers.
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What is the best piece of career advice that you've ever been given?
I worked with Dawn French on a corporate training video when I was 19, and she told me that I needed to develop a thick skin to survive the acting profession. She was 100 per cent right! No matter how successful you become within the industry you will STILL encounter rejection and hear 'NO' on a weekly, if not daily, basis. To survive that, you have to develop strategies to protect the sensitivity and openness you need to act, while also creating a protective shield around you that ensures that you don’t take rejection personally. You have to be courageous and keep picking yourself up and going for auditions no matter how many times people in the business say 'No'.
What tips would you give young aspiring actors about breaking into the industry?
Training, training and more training! You need a very wide skill set to be an actor, as you never know what you’re going to be called on to do next. That’s both the joy and challenge of the profession. The best way to ensure that you are in the best possible position to secure your next job is to be versed in as many skills as you possibly can, and one way to do that is through training. As an actor, along with the basics of singing and dancing, I’ve been asked to horse ride, scuba dive, learn a new accent in the space of just a few days, speak a foreign language, fire machine guns, perform stunts and so much more. If I hadn't gone to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and been trained in basic stunt work, and had the opportunity to perform a wide range of characters with different accents I would definitely have been at a disadvantage when auditioning as an aspiring actor. I feel incredibly lucky that I got the opportunity to make my mistakes, and learn vital lessons at drama school, rather than on a highly pressurised film set, or in a professional theatre. Young aspiring actors need to be provided with that same opportunity, it’s not a luxury, it’s an absolute necessity.
Find out more about Intermission Youth Theatre at iyt.org.uk.
Naomie Harris has been made a patron of Intermission Youth Theatre, joining Mark Rylance at the London-based organisation.
The actress – who was made and OBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama – is best known for her work in film with credits including the Oscar-winning Moonlight and James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and her work on stage includes Danny Boyle's Frankenstein at the National Theatre in 2011.
Intermission Youth Theatre provides young people from London's inner-city communities with a year-long programme of drama and Shakespeare, to explore issues such as knife crime and gang warfare. The programme culminates in the production of a new play, fusing Shakespeare text with street language.
On her appointment, Harris said: "I think the work Intermission does is phenomenal and I am so impressed by the amount of talent and commitment from the members. It will be my honour to help represent Intermission and the Youth Theatre."
Artistic director Darren Raymond added: "We are thrilled that Naomie is supporting us in this, our tenth anniversary of IYT. She is a fantastic role model, offering inspiration to our young people."
Graduates of the programme include Tosin Cole, who was recently cast as one of Doctor Who's new companions and previously starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens andHollyoaks.
In celebration of Atelier Swarovski's 10th anniversary, Naomie Harris co-hosted an exclusive luncheon during the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera. The actress styled her vibrant and posh look with the Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry Mosaic Earrings and Ring in Created Emeralds and Crystals, the ideal opulent accents for this coastal reception.
NEWS | MAY 19, 2017
SEASIDE CELEBRATION
Coinciding with Atelier Swarovski’s 10thanniversary, Swarovski Executive Board Member Nadja Swarovski and Academy Award nominated actress Naomie Harris hosted an intimate gathering during the 2017 Cannes Film Festival to celebrate the launch of the brand’s fine jewelry collection featuring Swarovski Created Diamonds, emeralds, and crystals.
The stunning coastline of the French Riviera set the scene for the chic affair which took place at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes with influencers from the fashion, entertainment, and film industry in attendance. On display were radiant pieces from the Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry collection showcased among lush greenery, sapphire waters, and alabaster table settings.
As the afternoon’s co-host, Naomie Harris accessorized her colorful Cannes ensemble with the Mosaic Earrings and Ring from the brilliant new range. In cool shades reminiscent of the seaside locale, the sophisticated and elegant pieces were a fitting complement to the thalassic event.
Created exclusively for the red carpet, the hand-crafted fine jewelry range is designed with conscious luxury in mind, utilizing innovative technology in a state-of-the-art lab to grow Swarovski Created Diamonds with the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds. Staying true to its sustainable roots, Atelier Swarovski aligns its business operations with the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Code of Practices and pledges to positively impact and influence the industry.
Established in 2007, Atelier Swarovski represents creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of crystal cutting and crystal innovations. This is the brand’s first fine jewelry collection.