BCKOnline recently caught up with NAACP winner Naya Desir-Johnson, the young actress who brings the story of Sarah Rector to life in Sarah’s Oil. In our exclusive interview, the rising star opened up about getting her start in acting, connecting with the historic role, and what audiences can expect next.
BCKONLINE: How did you first get started in acting?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: I actually got my start when I was only four years old. I began by working on commercials, which was a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera. Not long after that, when I was five, I had the chance to perform on stage in Trojan Women, which really opened my eyes to professional performing. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to work on shows like The Equalizer and even perform at the Met Opera, but playing Sarah Rector in Sarah’s Oil is definitely my first big leading role.
BCKONLINE: What was the first thing you connected with about your character in Sarah’s Oil?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: The very first thing that really connected me to Sarah was how incredibly brave she was. I admired her strength—she was just a young girl in the early 1900s, but she had to handle so much responsibility when oil was discovered on her land. Stepping into her shoes, I felt that courage right away. She had this quiet power and a sense of self-worth that really inspired me, and I wanted to make sure that bravery came through in every scene. Director Cyrus Nowrasteh collaborated and guided me on how to expand that quiet power in every scene.
BCKONLINE: Your character carries a lot of emotional depth. How did you prepare to bring that to life on screen?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: It took a lot of practice and preparation to get to that level of depth. To really bring Sarah to life, I spent a lot of time pulling from my own real-life experiences and finding the places where my feelings connected to what she was going through. Even though our lives are very different, things like feeling small in a big world or wanting to protect your family are things I could relate to. By finding those common threads, I was able to make her emotions feel real and honest to me.
BCKONLINE: Were there any moments on set that felt especially personal or transformative for you? How did those moments shape your understanding of the character?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: The court scene was a very transformative moment for me. In that scene, Sarah asks why her own parents aren’t allowed to be her legal guardians, and filming that really hit home. It made me realize that even at her age, she fully understood that Black people were not being treated fairly during that time. It really shaped my understanding of her—it showed me that she wasn’t just a child [that]things were happening to; she had a very clear, sharp picture of the world around her. Realizing how much she truly grasped about her situation made me respect her even more.
BCKONLINE: Was there a particular scene that challenged you the most? What did you learn from working through it?
NAYA DESIR-JOHNSON: The court scene was definitely the most challenging for me. The dialogue was so compelling and intense, and I felt a lot of weight in that moment because Sarah had to make the judge truly understand her heart. It wasn’t just about saying the lines; it was about the mission of the character. Working through it, I learned how important it is to understand another person’s perspective—even if they disagree with you—so that you can find a way to persuade them. It taught me a lot about empathy, both as an actress and as a person.
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.