Aladdin's Naomi Scott explains why she redefined Princess Jasmine and how she connects with 'bad**s' roles as she dazzles in new Harper's Bazaar Arabia shoot
She's gained worldwide recognition for her leading role as Princess Jasmine in the 2019 remake of Disney's Aladdin.
And Naomi Scott has detailed reworking the 'strong' character to reflect today's society as she lifted the lid on her rising career in June's edition of Harper's Bazaar Arabia.
Alongside a stunning shoot captured by New York photographer Taylor Tupy, the actress, 26, discussed connecting with 'bas**s' heroine roles, working with her 'amazing and caring' co-star Will Smith, and how she likes to spend time off from her busy schedule with her footballer husband Jordan Spence.
Rising star: Naomi Scott has detailed reworking the 'strong' character to reflect today's society as she lifted the lid on her rising career in June's edition of Harper's Bazaar Arabia
Keep it classic like Naomi in a a Saint Laurent dress
Naomi Scott has worked the red carpets worldwide to promote the new Aladdin movie, and now she’s gracing the glossy pages of Harper's Bazaar Arabia.
The actress is sporting a fabulous range of designer ensembles thanks to stylist Gemma Deeks, but it’s this Saint Laurent dress that is by far our favorite.
The classic LBD is from their Pre-Fall ’19 collection and is created with the brand’s signature one sleeve design and mini length, but this chic number is finished with a satin wrap and bow detailing.
Sadly, we mere mortals can’t buy the dress just yet, but discover the latest lines at NET-A-PORTER via the link.
Or why not channel Naomi’s A-list look in one of our picks below? From Missguided to House of CB and our favorite find at PrettyLittleThing there is a dress fit for every budget and every occasion… well, when can you ever go wrong with a LBD?
Aladdin is the second of 2019's live-action remakes from Disney - in a year that sees Dumbo, The Lion King and Lady And The Tramp brought to life.
The musical tells the tale of a 'street rat' who discovers a magical lamp, and after conjuring up a Genie (Will) attempts to win the love of Princess Jasmine.
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Mena Massoud has taken on the role of the titular hero, while Marwan Kenzari plays the villainous Jafar.
On the ‘strong and smart’ Jasmine, the Power Rangers star insisted she aimed to rework her character to reflect the voice of today's society.
Candid: The actress, 26, discussed connecting with 'bas**s' heroine roles and how she likes to spend time off from her busy schedule with her footballer husband Jordan Spence (pictured with Aladdin actor Mena Massoud)
'I did feel a responsibility': On the ‘strong and smart’ Jasmine, the Power Rangers star insisted she aimed to rework her character to reflect the voice of today's society
'It's such an important message': And while Aladdin is based on a fantasy, Naomi explained how she believes the film still manages to present deep messages that can help viewers understand their mental health
The brunette beauty explained: 'I did feel a responsibility every day, to both young boys and young girls, to really think “what am I putting out there?”
'Jasmine goes through this journey of finding her voice, and while she’s not a finished article by the end of the movie and not everything goes her way, she does find this strength to speak out and show her emotions.’
‘I wanted to look at the foundations we all know and love about the iconic animation character — her passion, how she knew her own mind — and translate that into live action in a way that allowed me to humanise Jasmine.'
She elaborated: 'It wasn’t that I needed to make her “strong, strong, strong”, because women are strong, so I didn’t need to put that, but I wanted to ensure she had a narrative outside of her just finding someone to marry.
Working it: For the shoot, styled by Gemma Deeks, Naomi nailed androgynous chic in a polka dot blazer coat and straight-leg trousers
Edgy style: For another look, the film star slipped into a form-fitting turtleneck leather ensemble
'I wanted her to have some sort of gravitas, that felt she was a young woman, not just a young girl, that she had a sense of maturity about her, and also that she was smart in her approach to dealing with things. I mean she’s smart, she’s like a politician!
'I really wanted to show those skills of leadership and strength, but also that she had the sensibility to actually do it'.
And while Aladdin is based on a fantasy, Naomi explained how she believes the film still manages to present deep messages that can help viewers understand their mental health.
She stated: 'I think that’s such an important message to both girls and boys. We sometimes teach our boys not to show emotion, that being emotional is seen as negative, but actually these feminine qualities are just as strong as masculine qualities.
Strike a pose: In one shot, the British screen star closed her eyes to display her quirky eye look, which featured black stripes on her lids
Enticing: She struck a sultry pose as she smouldered at the camera lens during her edgy shoot
Bold: The stunner caught the eye with a low-cut sweater dress, embellished with pearls and sequins throughout
'And what’s so great is that we’re coming into a time when we’re opening up the discussion about "we need to talk about things". Too many people are living with anxiety and not understanding their mental health or how to deal with their emotions.
'So yes, in some ways this is just a "Disney" movie, but these messages are so strong. [The film] is an ode to so many strong women and men who have spoken up against something and have ultimately protected the people that have come after them.
'And that should definitely be applauded. I just feel really blessed to be part of this and to be a vehicle to help showcase these messages', she added.
The past few months has seen the actress travel the globe on a 'rewarding' promotional trail alongside her co-stars Will Smith and Mena Massoud.
Standing tall: She ensured she commanded attention as she boosted her frame in a pair of pointed stilettos
'He's so caring': In the interview, she also gushed about working with the 'wonderful and great' Genie actor Will, 50 (pictured together with director Guy Ritchie)
Gushing over working with the 'caring, wonderful and great' Genie actor Will, 50, Naomi enthused: 'When they were all there [in Jordan] shooting, and I had gone to LA for some meetings, Will’s assistant texted me saying “We all really miss you out here, you should be here, just come, we’ll put you on a plane!”
'So that is just Will, he’s so caring and he cares so much about our experience as a whole… he really set the tone on set. The energy he puts out is just wonderful.’
In the chart-topping film, Naomi showcases her vocal prowess with her solo single Speechless, which she described as the 'strongest parts in the film'.
‘[Director] Guy Ritchie definitely wanted it to be just Jasmine’s moment, for it to be all about her', the London native explained.
Impressive: In the chart-topping film, Naomi showcases her vocal prowess with her solo single Speechless, which she described as the 'strongest parts in the film'
'They're gangsters!' Naomi is set to play Elena Houghlin in action comedy movie Charlie's Angels, alongside (L-R) Ella Balinska, Kristen Stewart and Elizabeth Banks
Ahead of her portrayal as the royal, Naomi transformed into Kimberly Hart for the 2017 superhero film Power Rangers, and is set to play Elena Houghlin in action comedy movie Charlie's Angels, alongside Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska and Elizabeth Banks.
On connecting with her heroine roles, the Breakthrough songstress shared: ‘[I take on roles of women who] aren’t just someone’s girlfriend.
‘What I adore about Elena is that she represents the idea that anyone can be an Angel. And what’s really cool, is that she’s really, really bad**s but in completely opposite ways than you might expect.
'Her badass-ness is in being a whistle-blower of sorts, and standing up for justice in her own way, and using her creativity in terms of her brain and intellect to actually make the world a better place.
![She's strong! On connecting with her heroine roles, the Breakthrough songstress shared: ‘[I take on roles of women who] aren’t just someone’s girlfriend'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190606064728/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/06/04/14/14346146-7102695-She_s_strong_On_connecting_with_her_heroine_roles_the_Breakthrou-a-37_1559655879197.jpg)
![She's strong! On connecting with her heroine roles, the Breakthrough songstress shared: ‘[I take on roles of women who] aren’t just someone’s girlfriend'](http://web.archive.org/web/20190606064728im_/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/06/04/14/14346146-7102695-She_s_strong_On_connecting_with_her_heroine_roles_the_Breakthrou-a-37_1559655879197.jpg)
She's strong! On connecting with her heroine roles, the Breakthrough songstress shared: ‘[I take on roles of women who] aren’t just someone’s girlfriend'
'I'm being completely in control of my own ship': Naomi teased the next steps in her rising career
'I like to decompress by playing Boules in the back garden': On her downtime, the talented star revealed she likes to unwind with her husband Jordan, 28, at their home back in London
'That’s what’s so awesome about this role. Liz [Banks] wanted to create this idea about women in general and how women come together — but all different types of women, different sizes, different colours, all different shapes… Just women in general.
'She didn’t want this uniform idea, because she wanted to represent “women”. All women. So I was like, ‘I’m so down for that, yes Liz Banks, I’m going to get on your train!’
She went on to praise her ‘gangster’ Charlie’s Angels co-stars – ‘With Charlie’s Angels, what was beautiful and amazing is that it was such hard work but also so rewarding. We really poured our blood, sweat and tears into this.
'You’ve got Ella and Kristen training their butts off. The camera just loves Ella — that face — but she was in a harness like every day it seemed, always saying no to the stunt double, while Kristen’s boxing was like… ‘rah’!
Out now: The June 2019 issue of Harper's BAZAAR Arabia is available now
'You don’t want to cross that girl — she’s such a gangster. You cut her and cool just bleeds out. It really brought us close as a cast, safe in the knowledge that these talented women had come together and created something on our terms. It’s aspirational but authentic too — you can relate to each character.'
On her downtime, the talented star revealed she likes to unwind with her husband Jordan, 28, at their home back in London. The couple, who first met at her parents' church, have been married since June 2014 following four years of dating.
'[I like to] decompress by watching The Great British Bake Off or playing Boules in the back garden [with Jordan]. We're like an 80-year-old couple. It was so much fun!'
On the next steps in her rising career, Naomi teased: ‘What’s really exciting for me in the next couple of years is being completely in control of my own ship — being my own captain.’
The June 2019 issue of Harper's BAZAAR Arabia is available now.
