Keith Powers had an emotional reaction to Ryan Destiny’s new movie.
The Uglies actor, 32, spoke to PEOPLE at the EBONY Power 100 Gala about his longtime friend’s film The 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.”
The Fire Inside tells the true story of boxer Claressa Shields, played by Destiny, 29. The movie highlights Shields as a high schooler preparing for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Brian Tyree Henry, 42, plays Shields’ coach Jason Crutchfield in the movie, which was written and produced by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins.
“It’s a beautiful film directed by Rachel Morrison,” Powers says. “Brian Tyree Henry did his thing. Of course, pinned by the great Barry Jenkins. Got to tap in. Got to check that out.”
Powers adds: “It’s the perfect vehicle for people to see what Ryan can do.”
The Straight Outta Compton star 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.’ ”
Powers and Destiny, who dated for four years until they split in 2022, first met at a Teen Vogue party 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’s The Fire Inside releases in theaters Dec. 25.
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