‘Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls’ Director Nneka Onourah on Her Approach to the Emotional ‘Naked’ Episode (Video)

thewrap.com:

Watch TheWrap’s full Q&A with Nneka Onourah at this link.“Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” from Prime Video, is up for six Emmy awards at this year’s ceremony, but the episode series director Nneka Onourah is nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program for – “Naked” – might be the one that represents the show best.The “Naked” episode was the most emotional of the dance reality competition series.

Capturing the spirit of superstar Lizzo’s own body positivity message, the women were asked to get naked – or as unclothed as they were comfortable with – for an artistic photoshoot that celebrated their bodies.

And it all started with Lizzo’s own “level of vulnerability,” when she spoke to the women, conveying throughout the competition her message of self love, Onourah said.“[B]y the time we got to the ‘Naked’ episode, I feel like there was such a deep connection between Lizzo and the girls,” Onourah told TheWrap during the Awards Season Screening of “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.” “And then in general, Lizzo put the girls first in so many ways because it wasn’t just about her trying to find backup dancers, Lizzo has lived their experiences and wanted to make them shine.

And she still does to this day in all of her projects.”Onourah said her conversations ahead of time with the “Juice” singer focused on “protection of the girls … beyond us making a show.” And during filming, Onourah, who has worked in documentaries, kept a close eye on the competitors and even shared some of her own insecurities.“After I would shoot I would spend time with the girls, share my stories, my vulnerabilities, things I would experience.