I recently got a chance a few weeks ago to sit down and talk with all-around talented actress, singer, dancer, model and entertainer, Ryan Destiny. As we discussed her breakout role in the upcoming highly-anticipated Clarissa Shields biopic, The Fire Inside. That Destiny stars as Shields in and focuses on the beginning of her career being one of the only female boxers in her gym up to the inspiringly motivating true story of her becoming the only boxer, male or female, to win back to back gold medals in the Olympics. While also focusing on the struggles that she faced outside the ring as both a woman and black woman in such an improvised neighborhood as Flint, Michigan. In my discussion with Destiny about the emotionally inspiring upcoming new film. We talk about everything from the rigors and hard work it took to train for such a role, to the parallels between both Destiny and Shields with both being around the same age and growing up in Michigan. What it means to have a female director and the importance of the female empowerment story throughout the film. Which carries into this being both Destiny’s first major film set to be in theaters and award-winning cinematographer, Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut. As a few examples of the many topics we discuss in my hard-hitting one-on-one sit-down interview with Ryan Destiny. That you can dive into below.
Nello Rubio for TheHipHopDemocrat.com: Hey Ryan my name is Nello Rubio with TheHipHopDemocrat.com Nice to meet you.
Ryan Destiny: Thanks nice to meet you too.
Nello: You play Clarissa Shields in this new movie, The Fire Inside. You both grew up in Michigan. You from Detroit and her from Flint. So was there was there any similarities that you found that made you want to play the role more at all because of that?
Ryan: I think naturally this is just something I wanted to do just because her story is incredible. I think the icing on the cake is the fact that we are both from Michigan and it was completely by coincidence. It wasn’t like they tried to find someone that was from there. I think it is just a really cool thing that we have in common and I think it was really great for the work. In understanding what that time looked like. In our state. In Detroit and in Flint. What music we were listening to and what we were wearing. All those things are really important to know. So it all just really helped and that was a cool little detail.
Nello: That actually perfectly segues into my next question. I noticed that you are both around the same age and I didn’t realize she is still so young. So do you think that helped at all knowing that as part of the story and in preparing for the role?
Ryan: Yeah I think so. Cause as I said since it was around that age. About 16-17. 2012. I also kind of knew where my head was at that age. Which also helps. Since I am definitely not 17 in real life. So yeah it definitely helped and the fact that we are the same age is definitely crazy.
Nello: You have to train for such a role too. So what was it like just training and preparing for this role?
Ryan: It was really exhausting. I trained for a few months in 2019 to 2020. When we were first about to start up and then the pandemic happened. So we didn’t start back up again till two years later. So I trained for about five more months there and it was really really intense. I had to diet. I had to gain weight and gain muscle. Which was something I was completely not used to. I saw my body transform in a way that I didn’t think was really possible. So I think it was really cool to see the before and after. From the first video I took of myself boxing to the last and being able to just build up my body in a way and get in shape was really cool. But it was really hard. But I am glad I pushed myself.
Nello: That was actually something I noticed from the beginning of the movie as it progressed towards the end. Your transformation into the role. In the beginning of the movie I almost honestly couldn’t really tell it was you at first. Then as it progressed I could tell here and there that it was you. So that was kind of interesting to see how it all played out like that.
Ryan: Yeah, thank you that is really cool. (We both have a chuckle)
Nello: You have been in a few movies before. But this is your first really big movie that is actually going to be in theaters. So how does that feel?
Ryan: It feels surreal. I am just really thankful that it is even happening. I remember when the pandemic happened and the entire industry changed. There were things were mostly going to streaming. So I didn’t really think I would get a movie into theaters. So the fact that it is happening and it’s real. Is just mind blowing to me and I am just really excited and blessed. That it is still going to happen that way. So I am just ready excited to see how the world sees it.
Nello: Your director, Rachel Morrison. This is her directorial debut too. So what was it like working with her and this being the first big thing in theaters really for both of you?
Ryan: I think we became partners throughout the entire process. We really held each other’s hands throughout it too. There was never a moment where I felt Rachel looked down on me. Like we were equal in a lot of the moments that we had and it was great. Cause it created a safe space for me and for me to do the best that I could. We were just really a team throughout the entire process and I am just really thankful for her believing in me how she did. I don’t think it would have been the same movie at all without her. You know and she did such an incredible job juggling all these things in her head. And I tip off my hat to directors in general, but Rachel was very incredible to be able to have this be here first and see how great it turned out. That’s definitely her doing and I am really proud of her and I am glad we got to do it together.
Nello: You both being females and with the movie. Telling a lot of the story about Clarissa fighting for rights for women in boxing. How do you think that helped in you and Rachel telling that story?
Ryan: I think it is really important thing to have women tell this story. That was one of the biggest things for Barry (Jenkins) when he wrote it. He was really adamant about having a female director and I think it was really important to be able to have that perspective. So I loved being able to film certain scenes like that. It really empowers you. Acting out these scenes where Clarissa was literally making history. It is just a really cool thing to reflect on when you are also in the same boat and having to break down these barriers. And being in industry that is male dominated a lot of times. So it was a lot of parallels there and it made it really cool to be able to do it together.
Nello: A lot of the movie focuses on the two Olympics when Clarissa won the back to back medals. But a lot of it is also before that her story from when she was younger up to that point and even after that. Her struggle’s growing up in a town like Flint. A lot of really emotional and inspiring emotions throughout it. Do you think that helped you in any way with preparing for the role and just knowing those things?
Nello: Yeah I think the way our story is structured is something that is really important and I think it makes it standout from the rest. You know with a lot of boxing films usually ending on a high note and I think it was really important to be able to reflect real life. You know a lot of our lives are not perfect in the end and we don’t always have this triumph. That just ends it all. Life is up and down. It has its ebbs and flows and I think that is what makes it really inspiring and motivating. Is the fact that she kept going in spite of all of it. So I loved that part and that is really one of my favorite, favorite things about our film.
Nello: The movie is actually coming out on Christmas Day. Do you think that will help with people and possibly families going to the theaters to see it?
Ryan: Yeah it’s such a great time for a movie like this to come out on Christmas because of what it is about. So I am hoping a lot of families do and they take their kids. They take their grandparents. It’s literally a film for everyone. So I am hoping that is what happens. And I am hoping everyone enjoys it equally across the board. So yeah I am excited about that.
Nello: Also with the film. You and Brian (Tyree Henry) have a really great chemistry with one another too. That was another one of the aspects of the movie I really liked a lot was how it showed her relationship with her trainer. What was it like with you and Brian working that story together?
Ryan: It was an incredible experience. I am so glad I got to work with him. It was something on my bucket list and someone that I have always wanted to work with, but I didn’t think it would happen like this soon. He is just an incredible actor obviously, but also an incredible person and we had an instant connection. And it didn’t take any forcing. It was just naturally something that we did. We kind of became brother and sister and it’s just really beautiful to be able to watch him. Just move in the industry how he does. He is definitely an example that I look up to and just a powerhouse on set. So I learned a lot from him and I am so thankful for him and he really just jumped in and saved the day. I think he was just coming right off of his show, Atlanta and came straight into our film. Which is really cool and I don’t know how he did it. I would have been so overwhelmed. But he did it seamlessly and just a clear indicator that I don’t think I could have done my best without him in this role. So I needed him and I am really thankful for him and glad that we got to do this together. Also I am glad that it shows. One of my favorite compliments that people have said. So thank you.
Nello: Finally in regards to the film. Before people see it. What would you like to let people know about the film that you want them to either know about going into it or just anything else you want to say about the film before they see it?
Ryan: I think this movie will definitely inspire and motivate you and if you want to feel like you can conquer anything. I would advise you to see it and it will take you through a lot of emotions. Good, bad, happy, angry and that is literally what it is all about. The story is to inspire and it is also to shine a light on black women and women athletes and what they go through. And how powerful they are and how interesting they are and fun to watch. And encourage people to pay attention to them a lot more. Which has already been starting to happen over the past few years. So I hope this story is just an extension of that and it continues to grow in the right direction and that women continue to get the respect they deserve.