Women We Admire: Naomi J. Ogawa
Interview with Naomi J. Ogawa
British actress
Naomi J. Ogawa is a British actress who rose to prominence with her role in the Netflix series Wednesday. With her talent and strong screen presence, she has quickly established herself as one of the industry's most promising actresses.
Naomi has always followed her passion and believed in the importance of perseverance - an approach that has led her to succeed in a challenging industry. Her journey is proof that courage and hard work can open doors where others see limitations.
Read her interview here on the site.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken, and what did you learn from it?
That’s a difficult question. I’ve taken several risks in both my personal life and my career, but the biggest was refusing to accept no when it came to an acting role. I had made it to the final two candidates for a Netflix series, but during my “chemistry read,” nerves got the better of me, and I completely blew my chances. The next day, my agent called to tell me that neither of us had gotten the role.
Deep down, I knew I was right for the role, and the fact that they still hadn’t found an actor gave me hope. Instead of accepting defeat, I recorded a “self-tape” and sent it to my agent with a plea to pass it along. To my great surprise, they took the time to watch it—and not only that, they called me back for more auditions, where they gave me new direction.
In the end, I got the role.
The biggest lesson I learned? Never take no for a final answer—persistence is key!
What habit or change in mindset has had the greatest positive impact on your life?
Learning to cultivate my own self-belief has been a game-changer. As an actor, it can be hard to maintain confidence - especially during periods without work. When I face a challenge, my new motto is: "You can do anything you set your mind to."
One book that completely changed my mindset was The Power of the Subconscious Mind. It transformed the way I deal with negative thought patterns and helped me tap into the deeper power of my subconscious. I believe we often underestimate the strength we all have within us.
Who has been your biggest inspiration, and how have they influenced your journey?
My answer will always be my mother.
She raised me as a single parent, which hasn’t been easy for her. She has faced so many challenges in life, but has never let them hold her back - or stop her from being effortlessly glamorous.
She is the strongest woman I know, and she has taught me the value of hard work and discipline. She has always encouraged me to follow my dreams.
Looking back on your journey, is there any advice you wish you’d received earlier in your career or life?
Don’t take anything in life too personally.
If you didn’t get the job you wanted, it wasn’t because you weren’t talented enough – it was simply because you weren’t the right fit for the role, and that’s completely okay.
If you could change one thing for women globally, what would it be - and why?
If I could change something, it would be to ensure genuine equality - especially when it comes to women’s safety, opportunities, and representation. Women still face systemic barriers, live in fear, and don’t have the same opportunities as men.
Every woman deserves the freedom to thrive in life, whether that means access to education, fair pay, or simply the right to exist without having her safety compromised every single day.
As a woman, I love seeing other women empower one another and change the world - and I hope for a future where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential.
