Naturi Naughton Lewis Reveals Her Biggest Career Regret — Turning Down Ryan Coogler’s Early Short Film!

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During the ABFF NYC Pop-Up “Money, Wellness, and the Creator” panel this past weekend, actress and singer Naturi Naughton Lewis opened up about one of the most valuable lessons she’s learned in her career — and it came from one major missed opportunity.

The Power star revealed that early in her acting journey, she passed on a short film directed by none other than Ryan Coogler, long before he became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers. The project, titled Fig, went on to win awards and later became a stepping stone in Coogler’s path to directing blockbusters like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther.

Naturi explained that the decision came right after she wrapped filming for Notorious, where she portrayed Lil’ Kim. Riding high from that role, she had just signed with a new talent agency that convinced her she was destined for the big screen — and that small indie projects weren’t worth her time.

“My agency told me, ‘You’re the next big thing. You don’t have time to do small projects, and if you do, we’ll drop you,’” she recalled. “So, I passed on it. And that was Ryan Coogler’s short film.”

Reflecting on the experience, Naturi says the situation taught her an important lesson about the true value of access and opportunity.

“Access and opportunity are more valuable than money. I guarantee you, had I done Fig, I’d be the next in Black Panther.”

She shared that Coogler personally wanted her for a raw and emotional role — that of a troubled young woman in a graphic, character-driven short film. “It was similar to what he had probably seen me do as Lil’ Kim, and he was adamant about me playing it,” she said.

Years later, Naughton has nothing but love for the acclaimed director and says she often jokes with him about the missed chance.

“I see Ryan all the time and I tell him, ‘Forgive me for not doing your movie.’ He just laughs and says, ‘I love you, I love you.’”

She closed her story with a message for all creators: “Sometimes, you just have to take the opportunity over the money. You never know where it’ll lead.”