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Who is Naturi Naughton?
American actress and singer-songwriter Naturi Cora Maria Naughton-Lewis, was born in East Orange, New Jersey USA, on 20 May 1984, making Taurus her zodiac sign. She has 35 acting credits, and is perhaps still known best for playing Lil’ Kim in the 2009 biographical crime movie “Notorious”, which starred Jamal Woolard and Anthony Mackie, and was directed by George Tillman Jr. It follows the life of the late American rapper Christopher Wallace – aka The Notorious B. I. G. – and the movie was nominated for nine awards.
Naturi’s also known for having been a member of the R&B group 3LW; it was formed in 1999 and disbanded in 2007.
Education and early life
Naturi was raised in East Orange by her father Ezra Naughton who was an accountant, and mother Brenda who was a part-time paralegal; Naturi’s yet to talk about whether or not she has siblings, but most of her fans believe her to be an only child.
She was five when she joined the New Hope Baptist Church choir, which is the same church at which the late American singer and actress Whitney Houston sang in her youth. Naturi went on to study music at Newark School of the Arts, while she also attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School. She matriculated from Immaculate Conception High School in 2002, then enrolled at Seton Hall University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in political science in 2006.
Roles in TV series
Naturi was 17 when she made her debut TV series appearance, playing Ria in the 2001 episode “Blue Mascara” of the family comedy “Taina”.
The following year saw her appear in the episode “3LW” of the family musical comedy “All That”, and her next role came in 2010, when cast to play Toni Charles in the episode “Hands and Knees” of the critically acclaimed drama “Mad Men”.
Naturi portrayed Brenda in all six episodes of the 2011 crime drama “The Playboy Club”, which starred Randy Steinmeyer and Eddie Cibrian, and was created by Chad Hodge. Set in ‘60s Chicago, the series followed the lives of several Playboy Bunnies and was nominated for two awards. Naturi played Shadynasty in the 2011 episode “Frank’s Brother” of the comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, and the following year saw her play Kendra in eight episodes of the popular crime drama “The Client List”, which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt and Loretta Devine, and was created by Jordan Budde and Suzanne Martin. It follows a single mother from a small town in Texas as she’s leading a double life, the series aired from 2011 through 2013 and won one of its two award nominations.
From 2014 through 2020, Naturi starred as Tasha St. Patrick in all 63 episodes of the critically acclaimed crime drama “Power”, which also starred Lela Loren and Omari Hardwick, and was created by Courtney A. Kemp. It follows the life of wealthy nightclub owner James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick, and the series won 14 of its 40 award nominations.
Naturi’s since appeared in two TV series, playing Jill ‘Da Thrill’ Sumpter in 13 episodes of the 2022 musical drama “Queens”, and Tasha St. Patrick in 13 episodes of the crime drama “Power Book II: Ghost” since 2020.
Roles in movies
Naturi’s debut film appearance was in the 2008 drama “Cash Rules”, and the following year saw her play Denise Dupree in the popular romantic musical “Fame”, which starred Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth, and was directed by Kevin Tancharoen. It follows a group of students attending the New York Academy of Performing Arts, and the movie was nominated for three awards.
Some of Naturi’s following roles were in the 2010 comedy “Lottery Ticket”, and in 2013 the comedy “Highland Park” and the drama “Let the Church Say Amen”. The year 2018 saw her play Aisha in the comedy “Step Sisters”, which starred Megalyn Echikunwoke and Eden Sher, and was directed by Charles Stone III. It follows Jamilah as she’s teaching white sorority girls to step dance.
Naturi’s three most recent film roles have been in the 2021 music video “Queens: Nasty Girl”, the mystery thriller “88” and the romantic comedy “The Night Before Christmas” both in 2022; she’s currently shooting for the upcoming movie “Call Her King”.
Other credits
Naturi directed the 2022 episode “Behind the Smile” of the drama series “BET Her Presents: The Couch”.
Some of her recent talk-show appearances have been in “The Real”, “Tamron Hall” and “Jemele Hill is Unbothered”.
Awards and nominations
Naturi’s won three of her 10 award nominations: she won a 2011 American Black Film Festival Rising Star Award and two Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2017 and 2018, both for “Power”.
Music career
Sisters Tse and Michelle Williams founded the group 3LW in 1999, while Michelle’s daughter Kiely Williams joined a couple of months later; 3LW was then also joined by Naturi and Adrienne Bailon.
Their debut single “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right)” was released in 2000 and became a hit; it was followed by 3LW’s second single “Playas Gon’ Play” in 2001. Their debut album “3LW” came out on 5 December 2000 and was eventually certified platinum by RIAA, having sold over 1.3 million copies in the US.
Their next single “I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)” was released in 2002, and Naturi quit the band in August of the same year, stating in an interview that she had conflicts with Adrienne and the Williams sisters.
Adrienne confirmed on 7 January 2008 that 3LW had disbanded a couple of months earlier.
Love life and husband
Naturi can rarely be heard speaking about her love life in public, but it’s known that she’s today both a mother and wife.
She gave birth to her and her former boyfriend Ben’s daughter Zuri on 19 July 2017; the two broke up not long after Zuri was born, and it’s believed that Ben isn’t involved in his daughter’s upbringing.
In April 2022, Naturi married American businessman, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Xavier ‘Two’ Lewis, who’s perhaps known best for being the founder of the management company Owner’s District; Naturi gave birth to their son Tru Xavier Naughton Lewis on 27 May 2023.
There are no other men whom Naturi’s been with, that her fans know about; she’s married to Xavier Lewis as of June 2023 and they have a son together, while she also has a son with former boyfriend Ben.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Naturi’s an Instagram star, as more than 3.5 million people are following her on the network today, while she’s posted over 1,800 pictures and videos, with most of these showing her spending time with her husband and children.
Naturi’s deeply religious, and goes to church at least once a week.
Although she enjoys seeing tattoos on other people, Naturi dislikes having them on her body.
She’s been to a number of US states, mostly to shoot for her movies and TV series; she’s also vacationed in England and Spain – her favorite city to visit is London, England.
Rosario Dawson is one of Naturi’s favorite actresses, and some of her favorite movies include “Top Five”, “Trance” and “Clerks II”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Naturi’s age is 39. She has black hair and brown eyes, is 5ft (1.52m) tall and weighs around 105lbs (58kgs).
Naturi’s net worth’s been estimated at over $800,000, as of June 2023.
