While I don’t consider myself a genuine royal enthusiast, I must say the story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry captured my attention just like it did practically everyone else’s in the world. As a result, I found myself watching the Lifetime movie based on the story of their romance. Accordingly, I had the opportunity to apprehend the talents of Nakai Takawira (whom I had also seen in another Lifetime movie earlier this year). Recently, I got to interview her (with some help from her mom), and I am pleased to present our Q & A session to my readers today.
RH: Why did you decide to become an actor? How did your parents help you get started in the business?
NT: My mom met Ms. Allison {Anders}, a movie director and they became friends. When I met her, it was on the set of Beaches. I got to meet Ms. Idina Menzel and Sanai Victoria, who is now my friend. I loved it because being on set was so much fun, so when my mom asked if I wanted to be an actor, I said: “yes, please!.”
Beaches
Nakai’s Mom: Well, it started when I met Allison, who was filming the remake of Beaches here in Vancouver, starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long. Allison invited me to come to the set, to see how movies were made, and when I asked Nakai if she wanted to go, she was thrilled with the idea. Somehow I ended up working as a background actor, and Nakai was asked to work as a photo double for a few days, and that’s how we got to meet Ms. Menzel, Ms. Long and Sanai Victoria, who is a child actress from LA. Sanai and Nakai became fast friends and hung out on and offset. Watching these three amazing actors, the crew and Ms. Anders, Nakai was so amazed to see all the work that gets put into movie making, but she loved the wardrobe changes the most. After our time on set, we were connected to our agent (Ms. Lissa Lloyd of Lloyd Talent) who invited us to a meeting. After a pretty fun afternoon talking about the industry, I asked Nakai if she wanted to be an actor, and she said “yes” and that was that.
The Simone Biles Story
Your first on-screen role was in the movie The Simone Biles Story. What did you do to get ready for the role of playing young Simone Biles? What was your favorite part of filming that movie?
Playing young Simone Biles was awesome! I watched her in the Olympics with my Auntie. I told my Auntie I liked that she looks just like me. When Ms. Lissa told my mom I had been invited to the audition for “Young Simone” I was so happy. To get ready for the role, I watched her interviews on YouTube and found out Simone does not like spiders. I really don’t like spiders either, so we have something in common.
With Julius Tennon
The Simone Biles Story
Being on set for a movie was so fun. I had set brothers and sisters and my trailer had a secret door- that was awesome. Everyone was so nice to me, and Ms. Vanessa Parise (director) was a lot of fun to work with. The best part for me was the gymnastics and making friends. Everything was so fun. I was so happy! My set Grandpa, Julius Tennon, made me laugh a lot. He was really fun to work with.
You also got to be on Legends of Tomorrow as Young Kuasa. What did you like about the set and experience of that show? Did you have a favorite memory from filming?
Legends of Tomorrow
Oh yeah! That was a really cool set. It was my first time on a set like that and there were lots of things to see, like the big hut that they said was in Africa yet we are in Canada. Also, I got a doll to hold as my baby sister, but the weird thing is, the doll looked just like a real baby. It was heavy too. My arms were so tired because I didn’t want to put it down. I carried it all day – like it was my real baby sister. The best part for me was seeing the makeup on Maisie Richardson-Sellers. First time I saw her as Old Amaya. Then when filming was wrapped, I saw her as looking young again. I couldn’t believe it!
We just got to see you in Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance. What did you already know about the royal family? What did you have to do to prepare for your role of Helen? Any favorite moments from filming?
Hmmm, I guess I knew there is the Queen and Princes and Princesses, but I don’t know all their names. For the role of Helen, I was so happy to be on the set, I couldn’t stop smiling. Filming was fun. My mom was with me and we kept getting confused about who were the hair and makeup actors and who were the real hair and makeup crew. They all looked the same. Ms. Parisa Fitz-Henley was really nice to me too. She said some very nice things to me after the movie aired on TV.
Voiceover behind-the-scenes
I understand you do some voiceover work too. Can you tell us a little about that and what you like about doing that kind of work?
Yes, I do. I like it because I use my imagination. Its fun for me when I see a picture and think about the character. I like to use different voices.
How does school work for you when you’re filming? How are you able to keep up with your schoolwork?
Sometimes I have a great set teacher, Madame Michele. She helps me with all my work and we have fun too. Other times, I do the work at home, but it’s more fun to do school work on set.
Any other upcoming roles you can mention?
Behind-the-Scenes
Four Walls
Yes. I’ve been filming a role for a feature film called Four Walls. It’s directed by Darcy Rouhey, and I play the role of Dawn. In the movie, her dog runs away and gets lost.
Behind-the-Scenes
Four Walls
What are some other talents that you have besides acting?
I speak French, German and English. I am learning Shona, which is spoken in Zimbabwe. I am a fast runner and I am really good on monkey bars. I am a good dancer and I am learning dance moves on quad roller skates which is really fun. I also love to cook.
Are there any charities or causes you feel strongly about? Please tell us about them.
I like charities that help children like me. I support BC Children’s
Vancouver Kids Fashion Week
Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and Blanket BC. Every year, I volunteer as a model for SFU Anatomy fashion show and Vancouver Kids Fashion Week – they fundraise for Children’s Hospital. Last year I ran the BMO kids marathon and raised about $600 for Habitat for Humanity.
BMO Kids Marathon
This year I will be a charity runner for the National Congress of Black Women’s Foundation because they don’t want Seniors to feel lonely. This past Saturday, my Auntie and I spent the morning helping with their Senior’s Food Security Project. It was fun to do some gardening.
When you have some free time, what do you like to do?
Experiments! I love to experiment with different things. One time, I dissolved the shell of a raw egg using vinegar. I also like to make slime or make different color paints. I have made my own chewing gum too, but that did not taste so great. I like doing it though. Oh, and I love watching TV shows like Wild Kratts.
Every interaction with this young lady and her mother has been nothing but kindness and positivity, and I am amazed by the opportunities Nakai has already had at her tender age. Furthermore, her involvement with benevolence and philanthropy at this point in her life is incredibly commendable. So many children her age are not aware of the genuine need of charitable aid in their own backyard, let alone the world at large. But thanks to a mother who has instilled Nakai with values that cause her to reach beyond herself and help those less fortunate, Nakai is already a rather socially conscious girl. Additionally, she has discovered a talent and a passion that has placed her in a position to pursue her dreams while giving assistance to those who need a helping hand and are grateful for the support. Moreover, the experiences Nakai has had her at her young age have definitely begun to shape her into a young woman who takes advantage of every chance she has been given to learn and develop into a mature, responsible young woman.
If you have not had the opportunity to see either of the Lifetime movies referenced in this interview, I highly recommend both as being inspiring stories (there are a few limited moments of potentially offensive scenes found in Meghan & Harry), and viewers will have the unadulterated chance to witness the true proficiency of Nakai. I would also invite my readers to check out all of Nakai’s links below as she and her mother are rather circumspect at keeping her social media accounts up to date with relevant pictures and current information. While I have no idea what the future holds for young Nakai, I clearly know that she is well on her way to a life and a career that can positively affect others both here in North America and potentially around the world.
FOLLOW NAKAI
Gardening For Seniors Food Security Project
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That’s a lot of languages to learn!
