NetflixsBaby Reindeerhas hit us hard.
She is a powerhouse in the role, and the response toBaby Reindeerhas left her feeling overwhelmed and humbled.
Vogue: What drew you toBaby Reindeerand playing Teri?
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
What felt true and different about it to you?
Nava Mau:Teri has always felt like she was entitled to her feelings, her needs.
Cardi B has even posted aboutBaby Reindeer!
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
How has the response to the show felt to you?
Well, first of all, shout out to Cardi B, the peoples princess!
I cannot believe that so many people are watching.
And it brings me so much joy.
And I guess that it needed to reach a lot of people.
We are not on this planet to be the scapegoat of so many peoples hateful rhetoric.
In your work inBaby Reindeerand HBOsGeneration, youre telling multi-faceted stories of queer people.
How important is amplifying those voices to you as youre choosing or accepting roles?
I had to work pretty hard to find the differentiating line between me and Teri.
I related to her so much, and I deeply understood the dynamic between her and Donny.
It was very familiar to me from my own life, and from the people I know.
Have you had people youve dated not be their true selves around you due to shame, like Donny?
I would love to hear a trans womans life story that does not include brushes with other peoples shame.
So its almost a second language, you knowI speak that fluently.
You made a short film,Waking Hour, about the challenges of dating as a trans woman.
You do a lot of your own activism and support work for trans and queer survivors of abuse.
How did that tie into your performance in and understanding ofBaby Reindeer?
I mean, that is called deep alignment.
I could not have dreamt of this role.
What I did ask for out loud…
I said that out loud.
And by the end of 2022, I was [doing it].
Did you manifestBaby Reindeer?!
I manifested Teri in my life.
I think that the opportunity met me on my own path.
My path has been that I was a counselor.
And so it just made total sense.
I didnt even skip a beat.
I knew exactly what it was and what to do with it.
What perspectives do you hope are altered or challenged by this show?
I am here for the empowerment of women and trans people and non-binary people.
And I also know that men are part of our world, and we cant leave men behind.
Your character experiences a racist and transphobic attack onscreen.
How did it feel to film that, and how important was it to you that it was portrayed?
Filming the attack on Teri was what I was most nervous about.
I was most concerned that I would not be able to pull it off.
And she was the most lovely person you could ever meet.
[While filming the fight scene] she kept me cracking up nonstop.
Those three days that we filmed that fight, I was cracking up in between takes.
Did filming it trigger any experiences of your own?
I think physically, absolutely.
I had physical recall in my muscle memory from when Ive been attacked like that.
Can you tell me a little more about that?
How do you hope things might change?
Right now, the industry seems to be afraid of taking risks.
And he said no.
The answer is simply no.
The entire spectrum of what is possible onscreen is also possible for trans people.
So I dont know what people are afraid of, to be honest.
Was there an empowering element to filmingBaby Reindeer?
I felt empowered in pulling off the fight scene…
I think I conquered a lot of fears in this performance.
Youve spoken before about finally owning your own power after running from performing and transitioning.
What helped you reach that point?
So its really thanks to those educators, healers, and mothers that I am who I am today.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
This story originally appeared onglamourmagazine.co.uk.
