WONDER WOMEN
Amma Asante, Romola Garai, Jameela Jamil and Annie Lennox on the women who have shaped their lives
Naomi and I were connected from the beginning. We both grew up in Streatham, south London, and went to the same stage school in Acton from the age of nine. The journey to and from school took an hour on the underground, and this time, together with our other schoolfriends too, made all the difference. Not only was it two more hours a day that we’d spend talking and sharing stories, but we were young to be travelling all that way alone, so we all had to rely on each other. It meant that we grew up quite quickly, having to stand on our own two feet from an early age. I think this brought us together in a unique way.
Forty years have gone by since then, but we still have a friendship. Even at school, Naomi was very determined and, growing up, that was a massive example to me. What inspires me so much about Naomi has always been her strength. She’s navigated a world that wasn’t necessarily conducive to people who looked like us, and achieved an extraordinary amount of success despite that. This would have had an impact on my life even if I’d never met her, but realising on a personal level the battles she’s had to face, makes it all the more special.
Since making my way through an industry very similar to Naomi’s, I have to thank her for her work as a trailblazer. When I made it on to a cover of a publication, I instantly thought of Naomi when she was first on the cover of Vogue. I had this incredible moment where I realised that this would not have happened for me without Naomi being there first, breaking that boundary.
Despite Naomi being one of the most famous women in the world, we maintain our friendship. Of course, we don’t see each other as much, but we keep in touch via phone, text and social media. And when we do see each other, it’s like nothing has ever changed. The last time we were together was a couple of months ago at a dinner for the Ghanaian president who was in London for a non-official visit. When Naomi and I saw each other we screamed, then spent the entire evening catching up and taking a lot of selfies (including the one above).
Naomi is the person you call for life advice, particularly when you’re going through a bumpy time. I think what people don’t know about her is how deeply kind she is. I’ve witnessed her be there for every one of our friends, just as she’s been there for me. When I was going through a break-up, she made time for me despite her schedule, arranging for us to spend a week in New York just so that I could get away.
She’s also very funny. Her laugh still cracks me up: it’s the exact same one she had when she was a schoolgirl. That’s the thing about Naomi, she’s still the same person as she was when we were growing up. We still rely on each other just as we did then. Really, despite how far we’ve come, not much has changed at all.
Where Hands Touch, a historical love story directed by Amma Asante, is scheduled for release later this year