Keith Powers Reveals Ryan Destiny’s New FilmThe Fire InsideMade Him ‘Cry a Bunch of Times’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers in March 2024.Photo:Getty Images For NAACP

Getty Images For NAACP

Keith Powershad an emotional reaction toRyan Destiny’s new movie.

TheUgliesactor, 32, spoke to PEOPLE at theEBONY Power 100 Galaabout his longtime friend’s filmThe Fire Inside, which hits theaters Dec. 25.

“Ryan killed it,” Powers says. “[It] made me cry a bunch of times when I saw it. I feel like she really embodied the character. She transformed.”

Powers adds: “It’s the perfect vehicle for people to see what Ryan can do.”

TheStraight Outta Comptonstar also spoke about film’s overall impact.

“It’s really huge for not only us — but black women, especially black women in sports and what they had to deal with and what Claressa Shields had to deal with,” Powers explains. “Shout out to Claressa Shields, and her story is just beautiful.”

He’s also manifesting Destiny receiving some recognition for the role.

“I’m hoping for the award nomination,” Powers says. “I feel like she already won an award ’cause the film is so amazing. I’m like, ‘Yo, you did your job. Everything else is just extra credit.’ ”

Ryan Destiny in ‘The Fire Inside’ as Claressa Shields.Sabrina Lantos

Sabrina Lantos

Powers and Destiny, who dated for four years until they split in 2022, first met at aTeen Vogueparty in 2015. Since their split, which a source confirmed to PEOPLE in 2022, the two have remained close friends and continue to support each other’s careers.

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“Time for each other isn’t the problem,” Powers tells PEOPLE. “I feel like we already spend so much time with each other because we’re like best friends. So we’ll make that work. … We don’t need too much. We’re really simple people, really grounded people. So it makes it easier that way.”

He adds that as “long as she’s doing good, I’m happy.”

Destiny’sThe Fire Insidereleases in theaters Dec. 25.

source: people.com