Naya Desir-Johnson
Naya Desir-Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | United States of America |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2018 - present |
Naya Desir-Johnson is a Haitian-American actress and singer. She is best known for her breakout role as the titular character in Sarah's Oil (2025).
Career
Desir-Johnson began her career in performing arts at a young age, making her professional stage debut as Astyanax in the 2018 production of Trojan Women.[1]
Desir-Johnson made her television debut as "Kelsey" in the CBS series The Equalizer alongside Queen Latifah. She followed this with a role as "Cynthia" in the FX series Pose, working with Billy Porter. In the world of opera, she performed as a vocalist alongside Grammy Award-winner Joyce DiDonato in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Dead Man Walking, directed by Ivo van Hove.[2]
Desir-Johnson made her feature film debut in the 2023 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning film A Thousand and One, directed by A.V. Rockwell.[3]
In 2025, Desir-Johnson received critical acclaim for her leading role as Sarah Rector in the Amazon MGM Studios film Sarah's Oil. The film, directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and executive produced by Ciara and Russell Wilson, tells the true story of an 11-year-old Black girl in early 20th-century Oklahoma who became one of the nation's first female Black millionaires. Variety praised her performance, noting the film was "propelled by newcomer Naya Desir-Johnson's perfect-pitch performance."[4] Her performance earned her several honors, including a Rising Star Award from the Critics Choice Association, a Movieguide Award and an NAACP Image Award.
Desir-Johnson is slated to star in the title role of "Angie," the debut feature film from director Mirta Desir.[5]
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | A Thousand and One | Foster Sister | ||
| 2025 | Sarah's Oil | Sarah Rector | lead | |
| 2026 | Angie † | Angie | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Equalizer (TV Series) | Kelsey Lee | ||
| 2021 | Pose (TV series) | Cynthia |
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebration of Cinema and Television | December 9, 2025 | Rising Star – Film | Naya Desir-Johnson | Won | [6] |
| Movieguide Awards | February 6, 2026 | Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies, Actress | Naya Desir-Johnson | Won | [7][8] |
| Black Reel Awards | February 16, 2026 | Outstanding Breakthrough Performance | Naya Desir-Johnson | Nominated | [9] |
| NAACP Image Awards | February 28, 2026 | Outstanding Motion Picture | Sarah's Oil | Nominated | [10] |
| Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture | Naya Desir-Johnson | Won |
See also
References
- ^ Maley, Patrick (November 7, 2018). "'Trojan Women' tosses aside language in favor of universal grief in Jersey City: review". NJ.com. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Woolfe, Zachary (September 27, 2023). "Review: 'Dead Man Walking' Opens a Met Season Heavy on the New". The New York Times. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ Bahr, Lindsay (January 27, 2023). "'A Thousand and One' wins Sundance Grand Jury Prize". Associated Press. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ Leydon, Joe (November 7, 2025). "'Sarah's Oil' Review: Family-Friendly Drama Persuasively Depicts a Battle for Oil-Rich Land Not Far From the Period of 'Killers of the Flower Moon'". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 5, 2024). "Zachary Levi & Naya Desir-Johnson To Topline Amazon MGM Drama 'Sarah's Oil'; Sonequa Martin-Green And Garret Dillahunt Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (2025-10-21). "Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, Sterling K. Brown, Tessa Thompson Among Honorees For 8th Critics Choice Celebration Of Black Cinema & TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
- ^ "2026 Movieguide® Awards Nominations".
- ^ Klett, Leah (January 23, 2026). "'The Chosen,' 'Sarah's Oil,' major studio films earn Movieguide Faith & Values nods".
- ^ "26th Annual Black Reel Awards Nominees". Black Reel Awards. December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2026.