Ryan Destiny is no stranger to embodying powerful roles, but her portrayal of boxing phenom Claressa Shields in The Fire Inside takes her career to a new level.

The actress steps into the ring—literally and figuratively—for a transformative role that has already sparked major awards buzz. GlobalGrind Sr. Content Director Janeé Bolden caught up with Ryan to talk about the pressure of bringing Shields’ story to life, learning to box from scratch, and the emotional weight of working with co-star Brian Tyree Henry.

Despite The Fire Inside earning early awards chatter, Ryan Destiny is doing her best to keep calm and stay focused on the journey.

“Yeah, I guess it’s a little pressure that comes with it,” Ryan told GlobalGrind. “You always want to make sure for the next few months that you’re moving in the right way and doing things the right way, quote, unquote. But at the same time, the work is done, and what it is is what it is. I can’t change anything even if I wanted to. So, I’m trying to let it go and not try to control anything.”

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Ryan’s connection to the story of Claressa Shields runs deep, as both women hail from Michigan. The coincidence wasn’t planned, but it gave Ryan an extra layer of authenticity to lean into.

“It’s such a blessing to be able to say that we’re from the same place,” she said. “It wasn’t like they were looking for somebody from Michigan—it just happened. I think it really helped me wrap my head around the character. Growing up during that same time made it easier to nail the little details.”

Source: Sabrina Lantos / Amazon MGM Studios

Ryan Destiny’s own experiences as a Black woman in a demanding industry gave her insight into Claressa’s struggles in the male-dominated world of boxing.

“There were definitely a lot of parallels,” Ryan reflected. “Naturally, as a Black woman trying to get into a space that can feel very male-dominated, I could relate to a lot of those things. Even something as simple as one of the scenes where Claressa says, ‘It’s not enough. It’s never enough.’ I’ve felt that way countless times—you work twice as hard, and it still feels like it’s not enough.”

She added, “It was great to channel those emotions into the role and express them through Claressa’s story.”

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Ryan Destiny Talks Working With Claressa Shields and Brian Tyree Henry

With Claressa Shields serving as an executive producer, Ryan had direct access to the boxing legend to ensure her portrayal was authentic.

“She was definitely an open book, and I’m very appreciative of her,” Ryan shared. “For me, it was important to understand her family dynamics. I had the documentary to refer to, which was my bible on set, but hearing her talk about her relationship with her mom was essential. Their dynamic is complex, and I wanted to make sure I got it right.”

Ryan also shared the screen with Brian Tyree Henry, who plays Claressa’s trainer. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and Ryan credits Brian’s professionalism and kindness for helping her through the emotional scenes.

“Me and Brian really hit it off,” she told GlobalGrind. “He’s someone I look up to and is an amazing actor and person. He jumped right into the project after finishing Atlanta, and it was so impressive. I now look at him like a brother, and I think that connection really showed in the work.”

Source: Sabrina Lantos / Amazon MGM Studios

Ryan Destiny Talks Becoming a Boxer From Scratch

Ryan didn’t just play a boxer—she trained like one. Despite having no experience in the sport, she dedicated herself to the role with rigorous preparation.

“Scratch is an understatement,” Ryan laughed. “I knew nothing about boxing. I questioned it, like, who wants to get hit in the face constantly? But training as hard as I did gave me a new respect for the sport. My coach treated me like a fighter, not an actor, and that mindset made all the difference.”

The ultimate validation came from real boxers who complimented her authenticity. “When they said, ‘I thought you were a boxer,’ I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ That was the coolest compliment ever.”

Source: Sabrina Lantos / Amazon MGM Studios

Although the training was intense, Ryan doesn’t see herself continuing in the sport—at least not competitively.

“Right after they said cut, I didn’t touch those gloves for at least a year,” she admitted. “But I might get back into it in a different way. It’s such a great full-body workout, and without the pressure, it might even be fun now!”

Catch Ryan Destiny’s knockout performance in The Fire Inside in theaters now!