Beverly Naya's Documentary Tackles Skin Bleaching in Nigeria

Beverly Naya, a British-Nigerian actress, produced a documentary addressing colorism to challenge the beauty standards that contribute to the high prevalence of skin bleaching among Nigerian women, with 77% reportedly engaging in the practice. In an interview, Naya explained that the documentary was designed to raise awareness about the dangers of skin bleaching and to encourage self-acceptance among viewers.

She described the societal belief that lighter skin is more attractive, creating a hierarchy of beauty based on complexion. Naya noted that derogatory terms used for dark-skinned individuals reflect a form of bullying, which many do not recognize as colorism.

The documentary was released on Netflix shortly after the death of George Floyd, which significantly increased its viewership and impact. Naya expressed that the positive reception of the documentary has motivated her to continue advocating for self-love and awareness regarding colorism.