What does it mean to truly embody a character? For Nava Mau, the breakout star of Netflix's Baby Reindeer , it's a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and embracing the complexities of identity. Mau's performance as Teri, the trans love interest of Richard Gadd's character, transcends the screen, sparking a vital dialogue about representation, authenticity, and the search for truth in storytelling.
Mau's portrayal of Teri resonated deeply with audiences and critics, earning her a Primetime Emmy nomination. Her nuanced performance captivated viewers, not just for its emotional depth but also for its defiance of stereotypical portrayals of trans characters. In a candid interview, Mau revealed how inhabiting Teris world helped her confront and heal her own past traumas, blurring the lines between performance and personal growth. This vulnerability and honesty translates into a magnetic presence on screen, drawing audiences into Teris world and sparking conversations about gender identity, trauma, and the power of self-acceptance.
Category
Details
Full Name
Nava Mau
Date of Birth
May 14, 1992
Place of Birth
Mexico City, Mexico
Nationality
American
Profession
Actress, Filmmaker, Cultural Worker
Known For
Baby Reindeer (2024), Generation (2021), Waking Hour (short film)
Awards and Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award Nomination
Education
Pomona College (Bachelor's Degree)
Activism
LGBTQ+ advocate, Peer Counselor, Legal Assistant, Queer Youth Advocate
Reference
IMDb
Beyond Baby Reindeer , Mau's artistic journey reflects a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. As a trans Latina, she navigates the entertainment industry with a powerful blend of vulnerability and strength, challenging conventional narratives and championing authentic representation. Her work extends beyond acting, encompassing writing, directing, and producing. She poured her heart and soul into Waking Hour , a poignant short film exploring the delicate balance between vulnerability and safety for a young trans woman. The film premiered at Outfest Fusion in Los Angeles in 2019 and subsequently screened at festivals worldwide, garnering acclaim for its raw honesty and powerful storytelling.
Mau's dedication to social justice is interwoven with her artistic pursuits. Her experiences as a peer counselor, legal assistant, and advocate for queer youth inform her work, adding depth and nuance to her portrayals of complex characters. She is an editor of the forthcoming anthology Paradise on the Margins: Worldmaking by Trans Women of Color , a testament to her commitment to amplifying the voices and experiences of her community. Mau's commitment to using her platform to advocate for change extends to creative consulting, panel discussions, and public speaking engagements.
Maus path has not been without its challenges. She has openly discussed her struggles with gender dysphoria and her decision to undergo transition surgery. She has also bravely shared her journey with anorexia nervosa, a battle she fought for over a decade before undergoing therapy in 2011. This honesty and willingness to share her personal experiences add another layer to her artistry, making her a relatable and inspiring figure for many.
Maus role in HBO Max's darkly comedic drama series Genera+ion further demonstrates her versatility as an actress and her commitment to portraying LGBTQ+ characters with nuance and complexity. As Ana, she delivers a performance that is both captivating and thought-provoking, contributing to the shows exploration of identity, sexuality, and the challenges faced by young people navigating a rapidly changing world.
From the stage of a junior production of Cats in Mexico City to the bright lights of Hollywood, Nava Mau has embarked on a transformative journey. She continues to shine as a beacon of hope and representation, proving that vulnerability can be a source of immense strength. Her commitment to authentic storytelling, her unwavering advocacy for social justice, and her undeniable talent make her a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her story is a testament to the power of embracing one's true self and using that truth to inspire and create meaningful change.
The ongoing buzz surrounding Baby Reindeer , even a month after its release, speaks volumes about the impact of Maus performance. She has spoken candidly about the difficulties she faced on set, further highlighting the courage and resilience she brings to her craft. Mau's time in the Bay Area, including her work as a peer counselor, shaped her into the artist and advocate she is today, paving the way for her Hollywood success. Her story is a powerful reminder that personal struggles can be transformed into powerful fuel for creative expression and social change.
Related: ["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","Press & events (click images for links) powered by squarespace.squarespace.","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","W ith baby reindeer still dominating the pop culture conversation a month after its release, cast member nava mau has spoken out about some of her more difficult days on set.","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.","Born in mexico city, as a child she performed in a junior version of cats\u2014her first","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.","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","Born in mexico city and raised in san antonio, texas, mau graduated from pomona college with a bachelor's","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","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","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 \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 is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","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","In baby reindeer, nava mau plays teri, richard gadd's trans love interest.","We interview her about the netflix series, gender trauma and why people need to stop searching for the real characters.","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.","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, 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.","Mau's character must balance her desire to be intimate with someone and her own sense of personal safety.","[10] in 2020, she was selected as a production fellow for the netflix documentary disclosure, [11] and worked as a producer on the short film work, which premiered at sundance.","[12] mau also produced the short films sam's town and lovebites","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.","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 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","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.","(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.","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.","Nava mau plays ana, the nurturing aunt of greta (haley sanchez).","Despite ana\u2019s encouragement, greta has been struggling with to see if she would want to get lunch before we filmed, and so","She is an editor of the forthcoming anthology paradise on the margins:","Worldmaking by trans women of color.","She is available for creative consulting, panel discussions, and public speaking engagements.","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","Trans actress mau plays teri, an american therapist, in richard gadd\u2019s critically acclaimed","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","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","Before her time on selling sunset, heather worked as a model and did shoots with playboy.","Heather has confirmed she has had lip filler and a boob job in the past.","Just like her fellow cast members, heather always looks perfect and glam on the show.","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","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.","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","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 transgender actress who played teri in baby reindeer.","She shared her before and after photos online, but did not reveal the details of her surgery or hormonal therapy.","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 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 is a transgender woman who plays teri, a therapist, in netflix's baby reindeer and ana, a trans aunt, in hbo's genera+ion.","Learn more about her background, career, and activism in this article.","When it comes to nava mau before surgery, there\u2019s so much more than just the physical transformation.","Nava mau, a name that resonates with inspiration, has become an icon for those seeking to redefine their lives through cosmetic enhancement.","Before the surgery, nava struggled with body image issues and even battled anorexia nervosa, a condition she openly discussed in 2011."] | ["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","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.","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","Filmmaker, director, and actor nava mau plays teri, a trans woman with whom donny falls in love.","She is a powerhouse in the role, and the response to baby reindeer has left her feeling overwhelmed","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 is a trans actress, lgbtq+ advocate and stars as teri in netflix's 'baby reindeer,' alongside richard gadd.","They really need each other, and i don\u2019t think either of them quite knew","She first worked as a legal assistant with immigrant survivors of violence before becoming a peer","Nava mau is a filmmaker, actress, and cultural worker.","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","We would like to show you a description here but the site won\u2019t allow us.","Mexican actress nava mau offers a shining example of why it is important to fight for change, not just within the entertainment industry, but on a local level as well.","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.","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.","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.","She spent her early years in mexico city before moving to the united states for her higher education.","She attended pomona college from 2010 to 2014, where she received her b.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","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.","She is an editor of the forthcoming anthology paradise on the margins:","Worldmaking by trans women of color.","She is available for creative consulting, panel discussions, and public speaking engagements.","Her life story, after being born in mexico city","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.","Trans actress mau plays teri, an american therapist, in richard gadd\u2019s critically acclaimed","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"]