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BCKONLINE: How did your acting journey begin?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: My acting career kicked off when I was just four years old. I started by appearing in commercials, which helped me get comfortable in front of the camera early on. By the time I was five, I transitioned to the stage with a performance in Trojan Women, which truly broadened my understanding of professional acting. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working on productions like The Equalizer and performing at the Met Opera. However, portraying Sarah Rector in Sarah’s Oil marks my first major leading role.
BCKONLINE: What initially drew you to your role in Sarah’s Oil?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: The first thing that truly resonated with me about Sarah was her remarkable bravery. Despite being a young girl in the early 1900s, she faced overwhelming responsibilities when oil was discovered on her land. I was immediately struck by her courage. She possessed a quiet strength and an inherent sense of self-worth that I found inspiring. It was crucial for me to convey that bravery in every scene, with guidance from Director Cyrus Nowrasteh on enhancing that subtle power throughout the film.
BCKONLINE: How did you prepare to portray the emotional complexity of your character?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: Preparing to embody such emotional depth required extensive practice and preparation. To authentically bring Sarah to life, I delved into my own experiences and sought emotional connections with her challenges. Although our lives are quite different, themes like feeling insignificant in a vast world or the desire to protect family resonated with me. Identifying these relatable aspects enabled me to portray her emotions truthfully and sincerely.
BCKONLINE: Did you experience any particularly personal or transformative moments during filming?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: Filming the court scene was especially transformative for me. In that scene, Sarah questions why her parents couldn’t be her legal guardians, which deeply affected me. It highlighted her awareness of the racial injustices of her time. This understanding of her character revealed that she wasn’t merely a passive child amid circumstances; she had a keen perception of her world. Realizing her depth of understanding increased my admiration for her.
BCKONLINE: Which scene posed the greatest challenge, and what insights did you gain from it?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: The court scene was undoubtedly the most challenging. The dialogue was intense, and I felt the weight of Sarah’s need to convey her true feelings to the judge. It went beyond reciting lines; it was about embodying her mission. This experience taught me the importance of understanding another person’s perspective, even amidst disagreement, to effectively communicate and persuade. It was an invaluable lesson in empathy, both in acting and in life.
BCKONLINE: What do you hope audiences take away from Sarah’s Oil?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: I really hope people leave the theater feeling inspired to chase their own goals. The biggest thing I want audiences to take away is that if you have a dream, you have to be willing to do the work to make it come true. Sarah Rector’s life shows us that even when things are difficult or the world feels unfair, you can still find your strength and make an impact. I want young people especially to see her story and realize that their voices and their hard work really do matter.
BCKONLINE: When you’re not on set, what does a typical day look like for you?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: A typical day for me is all about school and staying busy! My mom wakes me up, and then it’s off to my classes. I go through my whole schedule—history, ELA, science, and math—plus lunch and P.A. (Performing Arts) of course. I also have art on my schedule, which is cool. On some days, I stay for after-school because I’m in a cabaret, which is so much fun. Once I finally get home, I tackle my homework, get some rest, and then we do it all over again the next day!
BCKONLINE: What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: I am incredibly excited about my next project, which is a feature film called Angie. I’ll be playing the title role, and it’s a really special project because it’s the debut feature film from director Mirta Desir. After spending so much time in the early 1900s for Sarah’s Oil, it’s thrilling to step into a new character and a new story. I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
BCKONLINE: What advice would you give to young people who want to break into the entertainment industry?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: My biggest advice is to always follow your dreams, but remember that you have to be willing to do the work! Whether it’s rehearsing your scenes until they feel right or staying focused in your classes, that effort is what helps you grow. But at the same time, don’t forget to play! It’s so important to keep that sense of fun and imagination in everything you do. If you balance that hard work with a joyful spirit, you’ll stay inspired and ready for whatever comes next.
Sarah’s Oil is currently streaming on Wonder Project via Amazon Prime.