Ever have one of those career moments you look back on and think, ‘What if?’ Naturi Naughton-Lewis recently shared a significant ‘what if’ from her past, involving a filmmaker who has since become a household name: Ryan Coogler.
The Missed Opportunity with Ryan Coogler
During a panel at the BFF Pop-Up in New York City, Naughton-Lewis opened up about a pivotal decision early in her career. Coogler, who was then mentored by the legendary John Singleton, had offered her a role in his early short film titled ‘Fig.’ At the time, Coogler was not yet the star director behind blockbusters like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Creed.’
Naughton-Lewis was excited about the project, drawn to Coogler’s talent and the compelling script. However, her management team strongly advised against it. They were concerned about the low day rate, reportedly only a couple of hundred dollars, and felt it didn’t align with the ‘prestige’ they wanted for her career.
They told me if I did it, they’d drop me. They said it wasn’t a good look because I was about to do a series called ‘The Playboy Club.’ They said, ‘You have to maintain a certain prestige.’ — Naturi Naughton-Lewis
The ‘Playboy Club’ Dilemma
The pressure came from her team’s focus on her upcoming role in the network TV series ‘The Playboy Club.’ The idea was to maintain a certain image, and taking a low-paying gig on an unproven director’s short film was seen as a step backward. Naughton-Lewis, who had recently impressed audiences in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic ‘Notorious,’ was at a crucial point in her career.
Ultimately, ‘Fig’ went on to gain recognition, winning top honors at the American Black Film Festival and earning a nomination at the Black Reel Awards. Meanwhile, ‘The Playboy Club’ sadly only lasted three episodes before its cancellation in 2011. It would be three years before Naughton-Lewis found her next major TV role on ‘Power.’
A Lesson Learned: Get In Early
Despite the regret, Naughton-Lewis doesn’t harbor deep pain over the missed opportunity. She and Coogler have since crossed paths, sharing a laugh about ‘Fig.’ She playfully tells him, ‘You know I’m ready! Whatever you need!’ and he acknowledges her talent, recalling her performance in ‘Notorious.’
The key takeaway for Naughton-Lewis? The importance of recognizing potential and getting involved early in promising projects. ‘Sometimes you just have to go ahead and do stuff, even when the money or the prestige doesn’t make sense yet,’ she shared.
The Value of Early Opportunities
This experience serves as a powerful reminder for aspiring artists: trust your instincts, recognize emerging talent, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, even when the immediate rewards aren’t obvious. The long-term payoff, as Ryan Coogler’s career demonstrates, can be immense.
What career ‘what ifs’ do you have? Share your thoughts on trusting your gut in creative decisions in the comments below!