FILM
Nomi Ruiz Goes Behind the Scenes
Trans actress opens about her debut fi lm, “Haymaker”
BY GARY M. KRAMER
Nomi Ruiz, a Brooklynborn
woman of trans
experience, is making
her feature fi lm acting
debut in “Haymaker,” a gritty and
enjoyable riff on the “Bodyguard”
formula.
The fi lm opens in a nightclub
where Nomi (Ruiz) is performing.
When she is rescued from a sexual
assault by Nick (writer/director
Nick Sasso), a retired Muay Thai
fi ghter who she hires to protect her.
Nomi tells Nick where to be and
when, and even how to dress. Her
controlling nature is actually quite
fl irtatious, and Nick is captivated
by her allure. During one stop on
her tour, they become affectionate
— and it quickly impacts their professional
relationship.
Ruiz, who has made a name for
herself as a singer and songwriter,
makes a strong impression as Nomi
— a woman who is both a diva and
down to earth — and she spoke
with Gay City News about her experience
making “Haymaker.”
KRAMER: How did youidentify
with the character?
RUIZ: Part of being a performer
is creating an identity for yourself,
someone who is not necessarily
who you are all the time. I have
created my own persona with who
people think I am as a performer
and a singer. I felt this was the fi rst
time that side of me was coming
to life — giving that icon an actual
life, and voice, and storyline. It
hit close to home, too. It reminded
me of myself ten years ago, how I
would act and react to certain situations.
I drew from those experiences,
when I wasn’t so evolved or
triggered by things, to bring the
character Nomi to life.
KRAMER: What observations
do you have about the relationship
between Nomi and Nick?
She is controlling and mercurial,
but also fl irtatious.
RUIZ: It is very sweet the way it
all unfolds. The character, Nomi,
is being very defensive even when
she’s being fl irtatious or aggressive
or controlling. It’s all part of her
Out trans actress Nomi Ruiz portrayed a trans character with the same name.
Nomi Ruiz and Nick Sasso in “Haymaker.”
not accepting the fact that she’s allowed
to love or be loved. So much
of the trans experience is that you
are always on the defense because
you are told so many times you are
not worthy of love or being taken
seriously as a woman. There’s an
aspect to her that feels something
there, but she’s constantly pushing
Nick away out of fear. Nick is
always playing with the boundaries.
KRAMER: I like that the fi lm
makes only a brief reference to
Nomi being trans. Can you talk
GRAVITAS VENTURES AND KAMIKAZE DOGFIGHT
GRAVITAS VENTURES AND KAMIKAZE DOGFIGHT
about the visibility that a fi lm
like “Haymaker” gives to the
community?
RUIZ: When Nick and I fi rst
met, I spoke about wanting to be
progressive, and he felt the same.
I wanted a fi lm that was a little
more visceral. In reality, trans is
not always at the forefront of my
existence and experience, but it’s
always there in actions, and reactions,
and choices I make. I wanted
to have there be a leading lady
who happens to be trans. That
was really important, and Nick
and I met eye to eye on that. We
did not want there to be shame or
darkness. We wanted a charming
love story.
KRAMER: I love that Nomi inspires
Nick…
RUIZ:They both learn about
themselves through each other
and their experiences together. She
sees she needs to be a little more
humble, and he should be allowed
to shine, and be a star too.
KRAMER: Can you talk about
being a role model in real life
with your essays and other activism?
RUIZ: It’s become more and
more important to me. My music
and songwriting come from personal
experience. Sharing my music
was healing, so I wanted to do
more of that. I started my essays
as a personal letter to myself. I saw
it as another element of me that I
can share to heal others, too. It’s
important to use my gifts to connect
with other people. I know other
girls feel so alone. The moment
you tell your story, we all realize we
go through same shit. We need to
talk about it more.
KRAMER: What back story did
you give Nomi? You get to be a
bit of a diva as Nomi in the fi lm.
What can you say about living
the dream and the harsh reality
of life?
RUIZ: I think she’s been through
a lot, the way a lot of people have.
As a successful trans woman in
the music industry, it’s not something
easy or taken for granted.
She gets triggered when people
from her past show up at her show.
It’s not been easy for her to follow
her dreams. Others are more privileged.
She had to give up a lot to
get where she is. She seems to be a
glamorous, successful person, but
behind everything she has, there
was a lot to get there.
Some successes are bittersweet.
It takes a lot to get where you want
to go. We all have to fi ght for what
we love. This movie shows that too.
Even when it seems like you have
the perfect life, you always have to
fi ght to live your truth no matter
what.
JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 10, 2 30 021 | GayCityNews.com
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