50 Facts About Nava Mau

Early Life and Education

Nava Mau's journey began with a strong foundation in community work and education.

1. Nava Mau started her community-based work in high school, participating in clubs focused on environmentalism and LGBTQ+ rights.
2. In college, she worked for a queer resource center, engaging in ally training, microaggressions training, and facilitating discussions about identity, community relations, and politics.

Creative Beginnings

Her interest in creative work as a means to educate and bring awareness to issues started early.

3. Programs like Voices for Choices, which taught sex education through theater, sparked her interest in using creative work for education.
4. Before acting, Mau worked behind the camera in production, writing, and directing independent films. She also worked in the grip and electric department.

Breakthrough Roles

Nava Mau's career took a significant turn with her roles in front of the camera.

5. Her breakthrough role came in 2021 with the HBO Max series Generation, where she played a significant part in the show's narrative.
6. Mau wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the short film Waking Hour, which premiered at Outfest Fusion in 2019.
7. She also produced Sam’s Town and Lovebites, which premiered on the “Issa Rae Presents” YouTube channel in 2020.

Documentary Experience

Mau's work in documentaries has also been notable.

8. As a production fellow for Sam Feder’s Netflix documentary Disclosure, Mau received technical training and was part of an all-trans cast and crew, contributing to a trailblazing model for film production.

Healing Justice and Culture Change

Her extensive experience in healing justice and culture change has been impactful.

9. Mau has worked with community-based service providers and student organizations, focusing on immigrant and LGBTQ+ survivors of violence.
10. She has engaged in ally training, creating safe spaces for conversation and understanding within the LGBTQ+ community.
11. Mau has participated in microaggressions training, equipping her with tools to address and mitigate such issues in her work and personal life.
12. She has facilitated discussions about identity, community relations, and politics, creating spaces for meaningful conversations and awareness.

Personal Style and Dream Projects

Nava Mau's personal style and dream projects reflect her unique approach to life and work.

13. Mau describes her personal style as "honestly the best that I can do," which she terms as "cobbled together."
14. Her dream project is to adapt Octavia Butler’s novel Kindred, which she considers her favorite book of all time.

Role in Baby Reindeer

Her role in Baby Reindeer has catapulted her to international fame.

15. Mau’s role as Teri in Baby Reindeer deals with themes of addiction, shame, trauma, and sexual assault with a dark strand of humor.
16. She initially auditioned for Baby Reindeer with only the first episode and one scene, later given the entire series to audition with.
17. Mau connected with Teri by understanding the dynamic between Teri and Donny, making it a magical process of acting.

Impact of Baby Reindeer

The show has been a breakthrough for Mau.

18. Baby Reindeer has provided her with a grounding center and earthy realness.
19. Her performance has been widely praised, making her the first trans performer nominated in the supporting actress in a limited or anthology series or movie category.
20. The show has become one of the most talked-about and acclaimed television shows of the year, exploring raw, honest, and immediate themes.

Netflix Success

The success of Baby Reindeer on Netflix has been remarkable.

21. The show's success can be attributed to Netflix’s recommendation engine, which organically helped people discover the series.
22. It quickly became one of the most-watched shows ever on the platform.

Future Projects

Nava Mau's future in the entertainment industry looks promising.

23. Mau is set to appear in the new season of You on Netflix, further solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
24. Her journey has been supported by her community, including a successful crowd fundraiser that helped her produce her first short film, Waking Hour.

Community Support and Advocacy

Mau's work in community support and advocacy has been extensive.

25. She has engaged in ally training, creating safe spaces for conversation and understanding within the LGBTQ+ community.
26. Mau has participated in microaggressions training, equipping her with tools to address and mitigate such issues in her work and personal life.
27. She has facilitated discussions about identity, community relations, and politics, creating spaces for meaningful conversations and awareness.

Authenticity in Performance

Mau's approach to acting is deeply personal and authentic.

28. Mau was drawn to the character of Teri because of her layered and unencumbered nature.
29. Her approach to playing Teri involved bringing her personal, lived experience to the role.
30. During a Coveteur photoshoot, Mau showcased impressive dramatic range even with her face half submerged in a tank of water.

Comedy and Queer Storytelling

Nava Mau emphasizes the importance of comedy in queer storytelling.

31. She believes that humor can be a powerful tool for healing and connection within the LGBTQ+ community.
32. Mau praises the emotional gravity of Richard Gadd’s writing, which she believes adds depth and nuance to the show.

Healing and Change

Mau's perspective on healing and change is profound.

33. She hopes that audiences take away the message that healing takes as long as it’s going to take.
34. Mau emphasizes that we don’t get to control the timeline of healing and that we simply have to make space for it.
35. She believes that people can change, but acknowledges that not everyone has to be involved in everybody else’s change.

Turning-30 Film

Baby Reindeer holds a special place in Mau's heart.

36. Mau considers Baby Reindeer her turning-30 film, reflecting on the lessons she has learned as she approaches this milestone in her life.

Trans Representation in Hollywood

Mau's views on trans representation in Hollywood are insightful.

37. She is tired of being asked base-level questions about trans representation in Hollywood.
38. Mau believes that the fight for representation should not limit the discussion to just identity but should encompass the full range of human experiences.

Personal Style Evolution

Nava Mau's personal style is a reflection of her eclectic taste.

39. She describes it as "cobbled together," indicating a mix of different elements that come together to form her unique style.

Dream Projects Beyond Baby Reindeer

Mau has expressed interest in various genres.

40. She wants to make a comedy and a sci-fi film.
41. Her dream project involves adapting Octavia Butler’s novel Kindred, which she considers her favorite book of all time.

Impact on Trans Representation

Mau's impact on trans representation is significant.

42. She wants to see trans people in various genres of films, including rom-coms, sci-fi, and prestige dramas.
43. Mau believes that trans experiences offer rich storytelling opportunities that have been underrepresented in the history of television.

Creating Space for Conversation

Mau enjoys creating spaces for meaningful conversations.

44. She has always been drawn to community spaces where people can learn and grow together.

Bridging Cultural Work and Entertainment

Mau aims to bridge her cultural work and entertainment career.

45. She believes that creative work can be used as a means to educate and bring awareness to important issues, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

Community-Based Work

Mau's community-based work began in high school and continued through college.

46. She has worked with various organizations, including queer resource centers, to create safe spaces for marginalized communities.

Allyship and Advocacy

Mau has been an advocate for allyship.

47. She has engaged in ally training to better support the LGBTQ+ community.
48. Mau believes in creating safe spaces where everyone can feel valued and respected.

Microaggressions Awareness

Mau is aware of the impact of microaggressions.

49. She has participated in training to address these issues, believing that awareness is key to creating a more inclusive environment.

Facilitating Discussions

Mau has facilitated discussions about identity, community relations, and politics.

50. She aims to create spaces where people can engage in meaningful conversations and learn from each other.

Nava Mau's Impact on Entertainment

Nava Mau's journey from community work to the entertainment industry highlights her resilience and dedication. Her roles in Generation and Baby Reindeer showcase her talent and commitment to authentic storytelling. Mau's work behind the camera, including her short film Waking Hour, demonstrates her versatility as a writer, director, and producer. Her involvement in Disclosure and other projects underscores her dedication to trans representation and advocacy.

Mau's dream of adapting Octavia Butler’s Kindred and her desire to see trans people in diverse genres reflect her vision for the future of entertainment. By bridging cultural work and creative expression, Mau creates spaces for meaningful conversations and awareness. Her impact on trans representation and her authentic performances make her a standout figure in contemporary entertainment. Nava Mau continues to inspire and pave the way for more inclusive storytelling.