Can a performance truly heal? For Nava Mau, the actress who captivated audiences as Teri in Netflix's "Baby Reindeer," the role became a catalyst for self-discovery and a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art.
In a world often obsessed with sensationalism, Nava Mau's portrayal of Teri, Richard Gadd's love interest in "Baby Reindeer," resonates with a raw authenticity. This interview delves into her journey, the complexities of gender trauma, and why the search for "real" characters can sometimes miss the profound impact of the fictional narrative. Mau's work extends beyond acting; she's a filmmaker and cultural worker, with a dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices. Her performance in "Baby Reindeer" not only earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination but also sparked conversations about the power of representation and the responsibility of storytelling.
Category
Details
Full Name
Nava Mau
Date of Birth
May 14, 1992
Nationality
American
Profession
Actress, Filmmaker, Cultural Worker
Known For
"Baby Reindeer" (2024), "Genera+ion" (2021), "Waking Hour" (short film)
Notable Work
"Baby Reindeer" (Teri), "Genera+ion" (Ana), "Waking Hour" (Writer, Director, Star)
Awards and Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Activism
Engaged in culture change work with community
Other relevant information
She has lived in Mexico City, San Antonio, and Oakland, CA.
Reference
IMDB Page
During a recent live show from Los Angeles, Latino Rebels hosts Julio Ricardo Varela and Melinna Bobadilla welcomed Nava Mau to discuss her work. The conversation went beyond the typical actor interview, exploring the nuances of storytelling, the challenges of acting, and the profound impact of representation. Mau's ability to portray characters with depth and vulnerability has quickly made her a standout talent.
Mau's portrayal of Teri in "Baby Reindeer" is particularly noteworthy. The series, a dark drama, tackles difficult themes with unflinching honesty. Her performance is lauded for its subtlety and emotional resonance, bringing a complex and multifaceted character to life. This role is a testament to her skill and her ability to connect with audiences on a deep level. The role also allowed her to reflect on her own past experiences and how acting can be a form of healing.
The HBO Max series "Genera+ion" provides another platform for Mau's talent. As Ana, she portrays a nurturing aunt. The role is a celebration of trans identity. In this role, she further demonstrates her range as an actress.
Mau's work extends beyond acting. She is also a filmmaker and cultural worker. Her short films, including "Waking Hour" (which premiered at LA's Outfest Fusion in 2019) and "All the Words but the One" (Iris Prize 2024), explore themes of identity, relationships, and personal growth. Her projects highlight her commitment to giving voice to stories that often go unheard. She has written, produced, directed, and starred in these projects, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Mau's journey is one of resilience and self-discovery. Prior to her acting career, she worked as a legal assistant, assisting immigrant survivors of violence. She also underwent therapy for anorexia nervosa in 2011, addressing eating disorders and body image issues that she had battled for years. Her openness about her personal struggles underscores her commitment to authenticity and her desire to connect with audiences on a human level.
The impact of "Baby Reindeer" extends beyond entertainment, sparking important conversations about trauma, consent, and the portrayal of complex relationships. Mau's involvement is at the heart of this impact, offering a nuanced and sensitive portrayal that resonates with viewers. She has been vocal about the need to move beyond simplistic narratives and to embrace the complexities of human experience.
Mau has spoken openly about her experience as a transgender woman. She had surgery in 2013 to transform from a man to a woman. Her willingness to share her journey on social media and in her work has made her a role model for many.
The actress is also proud of the impact she has made on the world. She wants to open doors for others and help others to be true to themselves. Her success is a victory for diverse representation and is an encouragement for other actors, filmmakers, and cultural workers to tell their stories.
In the world of entertainment, where stereotypes often prevail, Nava Mau stands out. Through her work, she dismantles these stereotypes and helps to open up a world of possibilities. Her ability to share her story and the stories of others provides a deeper understanding of life, and her impact will undoubtedly continue to grow.
In "Baby Reindeer," Richard Gadd portrays Donny, and Nava Mau is Teri. Their performances, alongside the show's creators, have created a narrative that is compelling, emotional, and thought-provoking.
In the short film "Waking Hour," Mau explores the themes of a young trans woman navigating intimacy and safety. The film's poignant approach to storytelling reflects her commitment to creating art that sparks discussion and fosters empathy.
The success of "Baby Reindeer" came as a surprise. Yet, Mau's talent and dedication have propelled her to stardom. Her ability to captivate audiences and challenge perspectives makes her one of the most significant rising stars of our time.
Related: ["Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in waking hour (outfest 2019) and all the words but the one (iris prize 2024), two short films that screened in festivals around the world.","Currently starring in hbo max's lgbtq+ darkly comic drama series genera+ion, created by daniel and zelda barnz, nava mau is a trans latina filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","She wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the compelling and moving short film waking hour, that premiered at la's outfest fusion in 2019 before playing at","\u2014 nava mau (@navamau) may 17, 2022.","Nava mau is a latina born in mexico city, mexico, before migrating to the states.","Nava mau identifies as a trans woman and has been open about her transition.","The actress made her film debut in 2018 and has been active since.","Trans actress mau plays teri, an american therapist, in richard gadd\u2019s critically acclaimed","She has always proudly opened up about her gender, but before her present life, nava mau, too, had her struggles.","Nava mau underwent transformation surgery after going to college.","According to the superslice , it was after 2014 when she had surgery to transform completely.","Before surgery, nava mau had facial hairs and looked more like a man.","Nava mau proudly celebrates her identity as a trans woman, embracing it with authenticity and pride.","She underwent therapy for anorexia nervosa in 2011 after battling eating disorders and body image problems for more than a decade.","Her first surgery was motivated by this condition, which freed her up to express herself more honestly.","Nava mau (born may 14, 1992) is an american actress and filmmaker, [2] known for appearing in the netflix british dark drama series baby reindeer (2024), [3] and the hbo max comedy generation (2021).","Her performance in the former earned her a nomination for a primetime emmy award.","Nava mau, who is now 31 years old, is a staunch supporter of lgbtq+ individuals.","She\u2019s worked in multiple fields centering around social justice and reform, including as a peer counselor, legal assistant, and an advocate for queer youth.","She may have had genital surgery, i don't know (and if she doesn't want to say, it's none of our business).","Either way trans women can't get pregnant with current technology, although it's possible for her to become a biological parent if she froze sperm from before her transition.","Before the surgery, nava struggled with body image issues and even battled anorexia nervosa, a condition she openly discussed in 2011.","Film & tv nava mau shines (and subverts transgender stereotypes) on hbo\u2019s \u2018genera+ion\u2019 \u201cwhen stories about trans people are created by trans people, it opens up a world of possibilities","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker who has lived in mexico city, san antonio, and oakland, ca.","In 2018, nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the short film waking hour, which screened in festivals around the world.","In our debut live show from #losangeles, latino rebels hosts julio ricardo varela and melinna bobadilla welcome nava mau to talk about storytelling, acting a","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress , and cultural worker.","She portrays ana on hbo max's generation.","Most recently, nava wrote, produced, directed, and stars in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film about a young trans woman balancing her safety with her desire for intimacy.","She appears next in the short film \u201cfemenina.\u201d over the past 8 years, nava has engaged in culture change work with community","Baby reindeer star nava mau has opened up on how acting in the hit netflix show helped to 'heal her own wounds' in a candid new interview.","The actress, 32, shot to stardom when she starred as","Nava mau at the photo call for \u2018baby reindeer\u2019 held at the dga theater complex on may 7, 2024 in los angeles, california.","(gregg deguire\/variety via getty images) looking back, mau now sees her four years in the bay area as her coming of age, and her work as a peer counselor set the stage for her hollywood success.","Press & events (click images for links) powered by squarespace.squarespace.","Born in mexico city and raised in san antonio, texas, mau graduated from pomona college with a bachelor's","It\u2019s another wet afternoon in london when i speak to nava mau via video call from los angeles, but as her screen camera turns on, she radiates a warmth and joy that immediately brightens my day.","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film that screened in festivals around the world.","She was selected as a production fellow for the netflix documentary \u201cdisclosure,\u201d and worked as a producer on the short film \u201cwork,\u201d which","Nava mau of baby reindeer opens up about life after the viral series, life as a trans actor, her hope for what's next in her career and more.","The baby reindeer actor opens up about life in the"] | ["Nava mau at the photo call for \u2018baby reindeer\u2019 held at the dga theater complex on may 7, 2024 in los angeles, california.","(gregg deguire\/variety via getty images) looking back, mau now sees her four years in the bay area as her coming of age, and her work as a peer counselor set the stage for her hollywood success.","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Nava mau, laverne cox celebrate historic emmys nomination with emotional embrace ten years ago i became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting emmy, and 10 years later","Generation is dropping new episodes of its first season every thursday on hbo max.the series, created by zelda barnz & daniel barnz, follows the lives of a group of high school students in anaheim","\u2014 nava mau (@navamau) may 17, 2022.","Film & tv nava mau shines (and subverts transgender stereotypes) on hbo\u2019s \u2018genera+ion\u2019 \u201cwhen stories about trans people are created by trans people, it opens up a world of possibilities","Nava mau (born 14 may 1992) is an mexican actress and singer.","She is best known for appearing in the netflix british dark drama series baby reindeer (2024), and the hbo max comedy generation (2021).","Her performance in the former earned her a nomination for a primetime emmy award.","She portrayed marquez in you.","Nava mau was born in mexico city, the child of a counsellor and an accountant father","She has always proudly opened up about her gender, but before her present life, nava mau, too, had her struggles.","Nava mau has been through a lot of struggle before surgery and as a child, her life was very tough.","Nava mau underwent transformation surgery after going to college.","According to the superslice, it was after 2014 when she had surgery to transform completely.","Before surgery, nava mau had facial hairs and looked more like a man.","Nava mau proudly celebrates her identity as a trans woman, embracing it with authenticity and pride.","She underwent therapy for anorexia nervosa in 2011 after battling eating disorders and body image problems for more than a decade.","Her first surgery was motivated by this condition, which freed her up to express herself more honestly.","Nava mau (born may 14, 1992) is an american actress and filmmaker, [2] known for appearing in the netflix british dark drama series baby reindeer (2024), [3] and the hbo max comedy generation (2021).","Her performance in the former earned her a nomination for a primetime emmy award.","Explore authentic nava mau stock photos & images for your project or campaign.","Less searching, more finding with getty images.","Todo se origin\u00f3 por la espl\u00e9ndida actuaci\u00f3n que tuvo nava mau en la serie \u2018beb\u00e9 reno \u2019 de la plataforma de netflix.","Muchos se han sorprendido de la idea de que la actriz antes era un hombre y es por ello que las im\u00e1genes de su pasado han sido tendencia en las redes.","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress , and cultural worker.","She portrays ana on hbo max's generation.","Most recently, nava wrote, produced, directed, and stars in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film about a young trans woman balancing her safety with her desire for intimacy.","She appears next in the short film \u201cfemenina.\u201d over the past 8 years, nava has engaged in culture change work with community","Mau was born in mexico city however was raised in san antonio, texas.","In 2018, nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the short film waking hour, which screened in festivals around the world.","She was selected as a production fellow on the netflix documentary disclosure, and she appears next as a series regular","You mentioned that you connected with the vulnerability of richard\u2019s script.","What was the first thing that jumped out to you?","\u201cthe first time i read anything for baby reindeer was the scene i was auditioning with, which was [teri and donny\u2019s] date in the first episode.","Understanding the significance of nava mau's transformation requires delving into her past.","Her earlier years are marked by personal challenges and growth, aspects that her fans and followers are keen to explore.","The interest in nava mau before photos is not merely about physical changes but also about the evolution of her identity and artistry.","This year has been filled with moments that didn\u2019t feel real, still don\u2019t feel real, and this is one that was definitely not on my bingo card.","Not ever in my life did i imagine i would be sitting next to the pope in his residence, let alone speak with him for an hour alongside six lgbtq advocates from around the world.","In our debut live show from #losangeles, latino rebels hosts julio ricardo varela and melinna bobadilla welcome nava mau to talk about storytelling, acting a","Mau is a trans latina filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker whose recent work includes writing, producing, directing, and starring in the compelling and moving short film _waking hour_, which premiered at la\u2019s outfest fusion in 2019 before playing at festivals around the world.","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","Showing editorial results for nava mau.","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film about a young trans woman balancing her safety with her desire for intimacy.","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in waking hour (outfest 2019) and all the words but the one (iris prize 2024), two short films that screened in festivals around the world.","In 2019, nava mau (born in mexico city on may 14, 1992) was the lead actor, writer, director, and producer of a short film entitled waking hour with a crew of volunteers.","In this film, mau starred as sofia, a young transgender woman (mau herself is also trans) who meets a potential romantic connection","Baby reindeer\u2019s nava mau and laverne cox grew emotional on the 2024 emmys red carpet, as nava reflected on the importance of her nomination and transgender representation."] | ["Nava mau is a transgender actress who played teri in baby reindeer.","See her before and after photos of her gender affirmation surgery and learn about her journey and work.","Nava mau is a trans latina actress who played teri in the popular series baby reindeer.","She had surgery in 2013 to transform from a man to a woman and shared her journey on instagram.","Nava mau started her advocacy for lgbtq+ empowerment by providing legal assistance to immigrant violence survivors.","Later on, she moved to the san francisco bay area to serve as a peer counselor and advocate for lgbtq+ people who had experienced assault.","Nava mau (born may 14, 1992) is an american actress and filmmaker, [2] known for appearing in the netflix british dark drama series baby reindeer (2024), [3] and the hbo max comedy generation (2021).","Her performance in the former earned her a nomination for a primetime emmy award.","Nava mau ha mostrado un antes y despu\u00e9s en su vida profesional y personal, pues han circulado en las redes los cambios de la actriz.","Y es que muchos usuarios se han sorprendido de c\u00f3mo la actriz transgenero ha presentado una transformaci\u00f3n \u00fanica.","Discover the inspiring journey of nava mau before her rise to fame, exploring her early life, struggles, and breakthrough moments.","This detailed account highlights her resilience, advocacy, and contributions to lgbtq+ representation, offering a comprehensive look at the transformative experiences that shaped her career and impact.","Prior to her acting and filmmaking career, mau studied in paris and carried out research in guadalajara, mexico, according to her website.","She then attended pomona college in claremont, california, where she earned herself a ba in linguistics & cognitive science.","Her life story, after being born in mexico city, her performance","But at one point, the bubbly tv host was brought to tears as she embraced baby reindeer star nava mau, who got similarly emotional as they shared a long hug.","Both actresses have made emmys","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in waking hour (outfest 2019) and all the words but the one (iris prize 2024), two short films that screened in festivals around the world.","Nava mau is a trans actress, lgbtq+ advocate and stars as teri in netflix's 'baby reindeer,' alongside richard gadd.","Four cup sizes down and a massive scar revision\u2014all before 30.","Film & tv nava mau shines (and subverts transgender stereotypes) on hbo\u2019s \u2018genera+ion\u2019 \u201cwhen stories about trans people are created by trans people, it opens up a world of possibilities","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker who has lived in mexico city, san antonio, and oakland, ca.","In 2018, nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the short film waking hour, which screened in festivals around the world.","\u2014 nava mau (@navamau) may 17, 2022.","Nava wrote, produced, directed, and starred in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film about a young trans woman balancing her safety with her desire for intimacy.","Trans actress mau plays teri, an american therapist, in richard gadd\u2019s critically acclaimed","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress , and cultural worker.","She portrays ana on hbo max's generation.","Most recently, nava wrote, produced, directed, and stars in \u201cwaking hour,\u201d a short film about a young trans woman balancing her safety with her desire for intimacy.","She appears next in the short film \u201cfemenina.\u201d over the past 8 years, nava has engaged in culture change work with community","What else has nava mau appeared in?","Although baby reindeer and genera+ion have been two of nava mau's biggest projects to date, she has also appeared in a number of groundbreaking short films.","Her first, waking hour , which she also produced and directed, was released in 2019.","Nava mau, laverne cox celebrate historic emmys nomination with emotional embrace ten years ago i became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting emmy, and 10 years later","Her life story, after being born in mexico city","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","She first worked as a legal assistant with immigrant survivors of violence before becoming a peer","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","(left to right) richard gadd as donny, nava mau as teri in \u2018baby reindeer.\u2019 (courtesy of netflix) the show debuted in april of this year, just two months before mau\u2019s five years were set to expire, and became an incredible surprise success."]