Beverly Naya Reveals Inspiration Behind Netflix Documentary 'Skin'
Nollywood actress Beverly Naya has opened up about the personal experiences and shocking statistics that led to her Netflix documentary Skin, which tackles the pervasive issue of colourism and skin bleaching in Nigeria. Speaking on the One54 Podcast, Naya traced the documentary's origins back to bullying she endured as a teenager in London, which deeply affected her self-esteem during her formative years.
Although the bullying she faced was not specifically rooted in colourism, it left a lasting impact. After relocating to Nigeria, Naya initially considered launching an anti-bullying campaign but felt the idea needed a sharper focus to genuinely resonate with audiences.
The WHO Statistic That Changed Everything
During her research, Naya came across a quote attributed to Willie Lynch—a figure whose existence is disputed by historians—allegedly describing a strategy to divide Black people by skin complexion. Whatever its origins, the idea stuck with her once she connected it to modern data on skin bleaching in Nigeria.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 77% of Nigerian women use skin bleaching products, the highest rate recorded on the continent. For comparison, 59% of women in Togo, 35% in South Africa, and 27% in Senegal use such products.
Naya said that statistic, paired with the historical quote, ultimately shaped the direction of Skin. She pointed to a cultural hierarchy around complexion in Nigeria, where lighter skin is often treated as more desirable, and described the culture around bleaching as its own form of bullying that had never been properly named or discussed.
Giving Colourism a Name
Naya recalled how dark-skinned people were often casually insulted using derogatory terms, without the behaviour ever being classified as discriminatory. She said the documentary was her way of giving that pattern a name—colourism—while highlighting the health effects of bleaching and encouraging people to embrace their natural skin tone.
“That's basically what inspired that movement,” she said of the project. Notably, Skin premiered on Netflix roughly two weeks after George Floyd died in 2020, a period marked by heightened global conversations around race.
Broader Journey and Career Reflections
Beyond the documentary's origin story, Naya used the podcast conversation to reflect on her broader journey between London, Lagos, and New York. She discussed how moving across three continents shaped her identity, accent, and worldview. She also spoke about her decision to build her career in New York rather than Los Angeles, and shared thoughts on protecting her mental health while navigating fame, comparison culture, and public scrutiny.
Naya, a Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa honoree, has continued to expand her work as an actress, filmmaker, and producer since Skin's release. The documentary remains one of the more widely discussed projects to tackle colourism within Nollywood and the broader Nigerian entertainment industry.
