We Speak Actors
Naomi Jane Talks New Song, Film and Television Appearances, and More
Rising Teen Pop phenomenon Naomi Jane, renowned for her captivating vocals and heartfelt lyrics, continues to captivate audiences with her relatable themes and emotional resonance. With a growing fan base and a passion for empowering others through her music, Naomi Jane continues to make waves in the music industry. Poised to ignite the industry in 2024 with a cascade of new releases, her latest singles have already amassed more than half a million streams. Naomi Jane has over tens of thousands of dedicated TikTok followers, and her song, “Little Miss,” won the 2023 International Songwriting Competition, teen category.
From New York to California, Naomi Jane has graced off-Broadway, regional theaters, and iconic music venues. Committed to philanthropy, she made her Broadway benefit directorial debut with a concert against gun violence. Recently performing as Kathy in the musical, “Singing in the Rain,” Naomi gained international attention for her gender-bending portrayal of Jack Kelly in “Newsies.” Her versatility extends to television and film, including appearances on PBS Kids and “Assisted Living.” Known as the “piano poet,” she masterfully incorporates powerful lyrics into her music, showcasing virtuosity across multiple instruments. Critics commend her vocal range, likening her to luminaries such as Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, and Joni Mitchell.
With her single, “Little Miss,” out now, we took some time to hear more from Naomi Jane. Read below to learn more about Naomi Jane, the story behind her single, and what’s to come.
Hi Naomi Jane! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
My artist name is my birth name minus my last name. I am named after my great grandmothers – Naomi on my mom’s side and Jane on my dad’s. I dropped the “Voigt” and that caused mixed reactions, mostly positive and some negative, but hey, ‘Naomi Jane’ is simpler and it suits me.
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I was born in New York City, and I have moved back and forth from coast to coast like five times – right now, I live in Santa Barbara, California, just north of Los Angeles.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I was lucky enough to be born knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I always wanted to be singing. I started singing and performing when I was very little. For my fourth birthday party, we had a kid’s rock band play, and of course, I stole the mic. The group was ‘Monkey Monkey Music,’ and after the party, they invited me to be in their music videos filmed for PBS television. The rest is history. From there, I went on to do musical theater, television, and film.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
My upbringing has really played a role in shaping who I am and defining my sound today. I am a classically trained singer from the age of seven. My voice teacher is from Juilliard. I have grown up loving and going to Broadway shows and the opera. My aunt, Deborah Voigt, is an opera star. I also have a huge part of my family that is in and from Oklahoma. So, I am country influenced as well. Oklahoma has a rich Country music history – Zach Bryan my favorite. So, I think all of these influences add to my unique sound.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound is vast – I think. I have a strong and dramatic voice. I am told that I have a unique tone. I go from timbre to whistle, and my voice covers three octaves.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Music and writing are certainly my main focuses, but I have recently gotten into sketching. I am surprised that I am pretty good at it, and it uses my creativity in a different way while it also relaxes me. I also enjoy playing softball, working out, running, and being at the beach. I try to keep a pretty normal high school life because that is what fuels my creativity.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Many different genres influence my music as well as different individuals. Adele, the way she uses her dynamics and her phrasing to get an emotion across to her audience is an inspiration to me. As I’ve grown older and have been exposed more to the music industry, I also found my love for storytellers such as Joni Mitchell and Zach Bryan. It takes a good songwriter to create a setting; however, it takes a great one to put the listeners into that setting. That’s what they do. They’re both a masterclass in songwriting and storytelling. They encourage me to explore outside of my comfort zone and create stories through songs with the most specific (and maybe even dumb) details. Comparing my music now to when I was younger, I can see a growth in the craftsmanship of the setting/story. Lastly, I want to mention an artist who inspires me to be my genuine, unique self, Renee Rapp. That girl doesn’t give a you know what about anybody’s judgement or negative opinions towards her art. She thrives on her originality, which many artists do not do. She is a leader, not a follower, which is exactly the kind of artist I aspire to be.
What are some of your future music career goals?
My future music goals are to continue to write, record, and eventually tour. I am recording five additional final tracks in the coming weeks. These songs will be on my EP coming out in early September 2024. My first! Super hyped about that. I am also shooting five music videos this summer. I am in the process of planning live events and ultimately look forward to being able to tour.
Now onto your release, ‘Little Miss.’ What inspired this song?
I used to live in a posh town on the East Coast. It was, let’s say, a competitive place. Both kids and adults put each other down to make themselves feel imperious or overall better. Through their common share of jealousy and greed, other people’s success was a threat to their own ego. I especially struggled with that. I had several guy friends – I always related to the boys easier than the girls. So, at one point, two guys had crushes on me, and even though it was completely out of my control that they liked me, some girls painted me as this ‘man-stealing’ villain. They called me derogatory terms to basically shame me for just existing. Thus…’Little Miss,’ and at the time, it really hurt me – this song is about overcoming that.
What is ‘Little Miss’ about in your own words?
‘Little Miss’ is about reclaiming your self-worth. It’s about self-acceptance and empowerment. I want to inspire fans to take control of their own stories and assert their worth. Don’t accept the stories that others tell about you! ‘Little Miss’ is the second song in my ‘Letterman Trilogy.’
See, in each of my music videos, I use a vintage letterman’s jacket as symbolism of a boy, any boy really.
In ‘Pretty Boys,’ the first of the series, the girl is the victim. She losses the boy that she thought he was – it’s about coming to terms and raging about a love that wasn’t real. From being a victim in that song, we move on to ‘Little Miss’ – in this song, she steals the boy, she gets the jacket, she asserts and claims her self-worth. The final song in the trilogy is ‘Grown Ups’ – you get to see how the story ends. ‘Grown Ups’ releases on July 5th.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘Little Miss’ and why?
Say it to my face, say it to my face
Cause I ain’t gonna change,
I ain’t gonna change
Cause I’m happy to be
Little miss steal you man
Little miss
These are my favorite lyrics because this is when ‘Little Miss’ self-accepts and asserts herself against the catty stereotypes.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Little Miss?’
You know what I really hope, I hope girls take away that we should be building each other up and not tearing each other down. But, I also get that that’s likely unrealistic. I hope fans can relate to ‘Little Miss,’ and I hope that they feel validated. I hope ‘Little Miss’ encourages young women to assert themselves and not give into peer pressure.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
One of my proudest moments so far is ‘Little Miss’ winning the International Songwriting Competition in the teen category. It was selected out of 14,000 entrants from 120 countries. It truly validated that I was on the right path and that what I was making was good.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
The greatest lesson that I have learned so far is to surround yourself with great people. Work with positive people that have the same values and share your vision. I am super specific about everything that I do, and I am young, so I make sure that I only work with people who will hear me and do not try to change me.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
With the release of the single, ‘Grown Ups’ (July 5, 2024) followed by its video (July 12, 2024), I conclude my ‘Letterman Trilogy,’ bringing the compelling narrative of youthful love and self-discovery to a close. But, the journey doesn’t end here – fans can look forward to an exciting new chapter with my upcoming EP, set to debut in early September 2024. This new storyline promises a captivating adventure filled with fresh themes and unforgettable melodies! Stay tuned for what’s next as I promise to enchant and inspire with more storytelling and musical prowess.
Where can we follow you on social media?
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naomijaneofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomijane_official/
Website: https://naomivoigt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaomiJaneOfficial/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@naomijane_official/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NaomiJaneOffic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/24e3hF9IcHsGYNWMqwjIZv
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
We Speak Actors
Born in Tehran, Raised on the UK Stage: How Mohsen Ghaffari’s Dual Vision and Multilingual Craft Define His Acting Identity
With a career spanning theatre, television, and award-winning international productions, Iranian-British actor Mohsen Ghaffari is quietly carving out a name as one of the most compelling emerging talents of his generation. Born in Tehran and having built his career in the UK, Ghaffari brings a uniquely global perspective to every role—comfortable working in Farsi, English, Kurdish, Dari, Turkish and Arabic, and equally at home on a classical stage or a high-stakes international drama set.
Fresh off his breakout performance in The Deal—a powerful political series that earned acclaim and multiple awards at Series Mania—Mohsen is now starring in The Government Inspector at Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by the legendary Gregory Doran. From embodying multilingual characters in complex geopolitical narratives to championing cross-cultural stories with emotional resonance, his work is defined by depth, nuance, and a fierce commitment to authenticity.
In this conversation, Mohsen reflects on the power of language, cultural duality, and what it means to bring your full self to the stage and screen.
1. The Deal has received fantastic reception and even won multiple awards at Series Mania. Can you share what the experience has been like for you as an actor, and how the success of the show has influenced your career?
The success of The Deal is really down to the incredible team behind it, especially Jean-Stéphane Bron, our director. Jean dedicated over five years of his life to this story, and it shows in every frame of the show. His rich background in documentary filmmaking brought a unique, almost raw authenticity to the production that pushed us all to dig deeper into our characters and the narrative. It was an experience that felt real in a way I hadn’t anticipated, and it was Jean-Stéphane’s vision and relentless dedication that gave the project such a powerful heartbeat.
For me as an actor, working on this show was a journey of growth. The accolades it received—particularly at Series Mania—are humbling, but ultimately, it’s the experience of collaborating with such a talented team that I’ll always treasure. The success of the show has opened up new doors and opportunities, which I’m really grateful for, but it’s not just about the recognition. It’s the chance to continue working on projects that excite me and challenge me creatively that really fuels my passion.
2. You’re currently working on a new theatre project at Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by Gregory Doran. How has this collaboration with such a legendary director shaped your approach to the production? What can audiences expect from the show?
Believe it or not, working with Gregory Doran has been a dream come true. For years, I’ve wanted to collaborate with him, especially when he was at the RSC, so it’s incredibly special to finally have that opportunity. Gregory has this incredible ability to give actors the freedom to explore their roles. He makes you feel so comfortable, in fact, that you somehow end up bringing a bit of yourself, your culture, your accent, your unique perspective, into the performance in ways you didn’t even expect. It’s truly magical how he creates a space where you feel empowered to take those risks while also grounding you with a solid foundation.
His direction is graceful and intuitive, and somehow he allows you to take ownership of your character while remaining true to the story’s core. I honestly don’t know how he does it, but it’s one of the rare qualities in a director that really makes you feel seen and heard.
As for what audiences can expect from The Government Inspector, it’s a brilliant, satirical show with a sharp wit and biting social commentary. It’s funny but layered with deeper meaning, exploring themes of bureaucracy and human nature.
“The energy in the room is electric, and I believe the audience will truly connect with both the humor and the more poignant moments in the story.”
And, if we do justice to the play, I hope the audience can see a bit of themselves reflected on stage or find elements that resonate with them.
3. As an Iranian-British actor, your background likely gives you a unique perspective on the roles you take on. How has your heritage influenced your work in both theatre and television?
Being Iranian-British has certainly shaped how I approach acting, especially when it comes to roles that involve cultural depth and authenticity. Growing up in Iran and then moving to the UK, I’ve had the opportunity to experience life through both perspectives. It gives me a kind of “dual vision” when I’m preparing for a role, seeing it from both a Western and Middle Eastern viewpoint. It also means I’m attuned to how characters might experience life in two worlds, which adds layers to their stories.
I think a lot of the roles I’ve taken on reflect that: whether it’s portraying an Iranian-Kurdish character in Ostan, or an Iranian officer in Flight 422, there’s a richness that comes from understanding both sides of the cultural experience. My heritage allows me to approach roles with that level of detail, ensuring I’m capturing the right elements of the character’s identity and personal journey.
Ultimately, it’s about telling more authentic and grounded stories. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to bring this perspective to both the stage and screen, and I’m excited for more opportunities to explore those roles moving forward.
4. Your multilingual abilities are a distinctive part of your career. How have they helped you connect with a wider range of roles and audiences, and how do you see this skill shaping your future projects?
Being a native Farsi speaker definitely gives me a solid foundation to connect with other Middle Eastern languages, like Dari, Arabic, Sorani, and Kurmanji, and even different dialects, like Moroccan Arabic. I’ve always felt that understanding the culture and language makes a huge difference when playing characters. It’s not just about speaking the words; it’s about capturing the emotion, the context, and really living in the character’s world.
For example, in Phaedra at the National Theatre, I understudied one of the characters when the original cast member got hit by COVID. I had to step in and perform in Moroccan Arabic, and even though I hadn’t done that before, my familiarity with Arabic really helped me feel comfortable with the language. And in The Syrian Baker at Farnham Maltings, there weren’t many Arabic lines, but just having that cultural understanding was so helpful in adding authenticity to the role.
“From playing an Iranian-Kurdish character in Ostan, where I was juggling five languages (English, Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish, and Kurmanji), to playing Iranian army officers in Flight 422 and The Deal, I feel like my multilingualism really opens doors. It lets me connect with a broader range of characters and makes it easier to bring those roles to life authentically.”
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep using this skill to tackle even more diverse roles and share stories that reflect different cultures. It’s something that I hope will continue to shape my career, giving me the chance to tell even more stories from all over the world.
5. Looking to the future, what types of stories are you most passionate about telling, and what are you excited about in the next chapter of your career?
I’m drawn to stories that centre real, complicated people, especially those who exist between cultures, or who are navigating systems bigger than themselves. I love character-driven screen work that carries emotional depth and political or social weight , but I also enjoy projects that surprise me formally or tonally. The Deal really opened that door further for me, and I’d love to keep working across international productions that challenge and inspire.
At the same time, I have a real love for classical theatre, especially Shakespeare. Working with Gregory Doran, who ran the RSC for years, felt like being one step away from the big Shakespearean leagues. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time now, I’ve waited patiently, surely it’s my turn! (laughs) I’d love the chance to bring my own perspective to those stages, whether at the Royal Shakespeare Company or Shakespeare’s Globe.
Ultimately, I’m excited by collaboration, with bold directors, writers, and teams who want to tell human, resonant stories. And I’m beginning to develop some of my own work too, which feels like a natural next step.
Fetured photo by Oscar Davidson
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