Ryan Destiny delivers a transformative performance as two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields in The Fire Inside, a film that vividly captures the grit, resilience, and triumph of one of the greatest athletes of our time. Portraying Shields required Destiny to push her physical and emotional boundaries, from intense boxing training to understanding the profound layers of Shields’ life and relationships. In this exclusive interview for MadameNoire, Destiny opens up about the pressures and rewards of embodying a living legend and amplifying the voices of women athletes.

Director Rachel Morrison, who makes her stunning directorial debut with this film, shares how Shields’ story and the resilience of her hometown of Flint, Michigan, inspired her vision. “Flint’s resilience was an inspiration, and capturing that authenticity was a hill I was willing to die on,” Morrison reflected. Together, Destiny and Morrison crafted a cinematic masterpiece that celebrates the spirit of women athletes, the power of perseverance, and a compelling tribute the indomitable spirit of women in sports.

Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry from a scene in “The Fire Inside.” Source: Sabrina Lantos / Amazon MGM Studios

MadameNoire: In becoming Claressa shields, what was your process for preparing to portray her?

Ryan Destiny: There were a lot of layers to it. I had to physically train to make sure I was fit and looked the part. Then there was also just me wrapping my head around who she was as a person, who her family was, what her relationships were with (her trainer) Jason and everyone else around her. So, I think it was just me understanding how important,  those things were, those aspects, and just fully diving into it.

I trained really, really hard, and it was challenging for me, because this is a completely new world. I’m not a boxer. I didn’t come from boxing, so it was brand new. And to see my body transform, to see what it could do once I put my mind to it and put my body into all of that was really, really, really cool to see.

I’m really glad that everyone is receiving the film and believing that I was her. It was always about Clarissa. I thought of her every single day on set. Portraying somebody that’s still alive and well, and still making history was a lot of pressure, but it was all worth it.

MadameNoire: Aside from Clarissa, were you able to talk to more of her family members?

No, not anyone else except for her. But I also have the documentary, which is just a true front row seat into her family. It’s very candid, very raw, and that was super helpful for me.

Source: Sabrina Lantos / Amazon MGM Studios

MadameNoire: How did you channel Claressa’s determination and fierce spirit into your performance?

It took a lot of imagination initially. I think I knew going in that was a really big aspect of her. She is one of the most competent people I’ve ever met in my entire life. And overall, as an athlete, that’s something that you really need to grasp.

So, I think it was me being scared and having pressure put on me, knowing I had to do it right, and just going for it, and trying to tap into that as much as physically possible. I guess I tapped into something deep within me, somewhere, some little confidence that I had. I had to just really make sure that I used that as much as possible.

Clarissa Shields and Ryan Destiny Source: Photos provided by Amazon / Amazon

MadameNoire: What do you expect people to take away from the film?

I really love this film. One of the things I wanted to do is shine a light on women athletes. I think it’s really important. I know that a lot of people are very used to seeing men boxing movies, but I think this story is something that proves that it can be just as exciting, just as inspiring and just as motivating.

Women sports really matter and they are phenomenal. And I think this is the time for women to be quite honest. I think that this movie really shows that. So, I hope they walk away knowing and respecting women athletes a lot more.

“The Fire Inside” opens in theaters on December 25th, Christmas day.

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The post Ryan Destiny On The ‘Pressure’ Of Starring In ‘The Fire Inside’ — ‘This Is The Time For Women’ [Exclusive] appeared first on MadameNoire.