There are so many aspects of this film that make it easy to understand why you wanted to take this role, but how much did you know about Claressa’s personal life beforehand? And was there any specific moment that jumped out that made you say, “Yeah, I need to do this”?
Ryan: So I didn’t know about her story, and it was crazy because we’re from the same state. So the fact that I didn’t was just insane. I think I had heard her name but didn’t really know what she accomplished; what she did. A lot of it also had to do with the fact that I didn’t watch the Olympics that year. I was a very artsy kid, not into sports like that.
But for her to do what she did – accomplish what she accomplished – and it not be this big thing is just a shame. And I think I’m not the only one from Michigan that felt that same way.
So yeah, it was also just inspiring to be a little bit of a part of her story in some way, and that was just an honour for me to be able to do. And I also wanted to work with Barry [Jenkins] and work with Rachel [Morrison]. I just knew how much of a meaningful project it would be and how it was a lot bigger than me – I think that that was really important for me.
You mentioned at the premiere that you felt really lucky to be playing somebody who you could talk to and ask questions when preparing for the role. But also you’re the same age as Claressa and you’re playing a teenager. So did you draw on any of your own teenage moments? How much of 16-year-old Ryan did you take inspiration from?
Ryan: I don’t know, maybe a little bit naturally! It was weird because when you put on the outfit, when you strip down all the makeup and you have your hair up, you really just naturally go back into that space and time. A lot of the background actors that were around me in the high school scenes were high schoolers. So I was like, “Wow, I’m way older than you guys, but I’m not.” I don’t think I had to do anything extra really to make sure that I was executing a 16-year-old, I think it naturally just was in me a little bit.
