Naturi Naughton-Lewis on the Lesson That Changed Her Career: “Relational Currency Is Worth More Than Prestige”

Sometimes, the best career advice comes wrapped in regret — delivered with a laugh, a wince, and a dose of hard-earned wisdom. That was the case for actress and singer Naturi Naughton-Lewis, who shared a powerful story during the ABFF Pop-Up in New York City — one that reminded audiences that in Hollywood, the right connection can be more valuable than any paycheck.

Before Black Panther director Ryan Coogler became one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation, he was a rising young talent working on his 2010 short film Fig. Coogler wanted Naughton to star in the lead role — a small, raw drama about a young mother trying to escape sex work for the sake of her daughter. It was an emotional, character-driven project that hinted at the social consciousness Coogler would later bring to Fruitvale Station and Black Panther (The Hollywood Reporter).

For Naughton, it could have been a pivotal collaboration. But she never made it to set.

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The Job That Got Away

At the ABFF Pop-Up panel on “Money Wellness and the Creator,” hosted by Ally’s Erica Hughes, Naughton recounted how her management team convinced her to turn down Coogler’s offer — a decision she’s reflected on for years (Black Girl Nerds).

“He was really talented, and the script was really good,” Naughton said. “They were paying me a day rate — maybe a couple hundred dollars, real talk. And John Singleton was his mentor at the time. I loved John. Twinkie Byrd was casting and told me, ‘You need to do this movie. He’s about to be the next one.’”

But her team didn’t see it that way. They warned her that accepting the role could damage her career trajectory.

“They were vehemently against it,” she recalled. “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.’”

In hindsight, Naughton calls it a turning point — a moment that reshaped her understanding of what truly matters in a creative career.

“Sometimes access and opportunity are more valuable than money,” she told the audience. “Prestige is bigger than money. But so is relational currency. Write that down, y’all — relational currency.”

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The Film That Started It All

Fig went on to become a breakthrough moment for Coogler. The film won top honors at the American Black Film Festival, earned recognition at AFI Fest, and claimed the HBO Short Film Award, according to IMDb and Variety. Its success launched Coogler’s feature debut Fruitvale Station (2013), which won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance, paving the way for Creed (2015) and Black Panther (2018).

By the time Black Panther premiered, Coogler had become one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The Marvel blockbuster grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the 21st highest-grossing film in history (Box Office Mojo) and earning seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture — the first nomination of its kind for a Marvel film (The New York Times).

His latest film, Sinners (2025), opened earlier this year to strong reviews, earning over $287 million globally (Deadline).

“I see Ryan all the time,” Naughton said, smiling. “And I tell him, ‘You know I’m ready! Whatever you need!’ I even told him, ‘Forgive me for not doing your movie.’ He just laughed and said, ‘No, I love you. I wanted you because I saw you in Notorious as Lil’ Kim.’”

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Learning the Real Value of Connection

Naughton’s story has since become a reminder of the hidden currency that drives creative industries — relationships and reputation. “You’ve got to get in early,” she reflected. “Sometimes you just have to go ahead and do stuff, even when the money or the prestige doesn’t make sense yet.”

Her insight — that access, not affluence, often determines success — resonated deeply with many artists in attendance. In a business where opportunities can hinge on a single conversation or introduction, Naughton’s missed chance with Coogler has become one of her greatest teachers.

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A Career Still in Flight

Despite that early “what if,” Naughton has built an impressive and enduring career. She’s best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Tasha St. Patrick in Power, which ran for six seasons on Starz and earned multiple NAACP Image Award nominations. She later reprised her role in Power Book II: Ghost, expanding the franchise’s narrative universe (Essence).

Her more recent projects include “Queens” (2021–2022), where she starred opposite Eve and Brandy as Jill “Da Thrill” Sumpter, and the courtroom thriller “Call Her King” (2023), in which she played the commanding Judge Jaeda King (Deadline). She also appeared in 88 and the 2024 Lifetime release Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie.

Off-screen, Naughton has stepped into new creative roles. In December 2023, she and her husband Xavier “Two” Lewis launched their production company, Take Two Entertainment, with the goal of amplifying Black stories across genres (Black Film and TV). Their debut feature, Color Book, premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, and Naughton made her directorial debut with a short film titled 333.

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Turning Regret Into Resolve

Today, Naughton views the Fig story not as a failure, but as a foundation. Her experience taught her that creative success isn’t just about saying “yes” to the right projects — it’s about trusting your gut, valuing connection, and understanding your worth outside of industry prestige.

“The funny thing about the doors you miss,” she reflected, “is that sometimes they lead you to build your own.”

Now, as an actress, producer, and director, Naturi Naughton-Lewis is doing exactly that — using every lesson learned to shape a legacy rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and creative freedom.