Amber Jaunai, Tarina Bradshaw, Tessa Munro, Justus Pickett & Kip Gilman Cast In Behind Closed Doors
It was announced today that Amber Jaunai, Tarina Bradshaw, Tessa Munro, Justus Pickett & Kip Gilman have joined the cast of BEHIND CLOSED GLOVES, written and directed by Tarina Bradshaw, going into production this week. The film follows a female boxer champion on the verge of making history when a viral accusation turns her into the villain of the internet.
Rounding out the cast include Pilot Paisley-Rose, Darren Kelley, Erika Mugglin & Vivian True, with more to be announced in the coming months.
While Behind Closed Gloves is set in San Francisco, the film was shot throughout Los Angeles, including Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Magnolia Park in Burbank, residential homes and apartment buildings in Hollywood, and sound stages across Los Angeles County, as well as Brickhouse Boxing Club in North Hollywood.
Tarina Bradshaw is a Los Angeles based filmmaker, writer, actor, and producer making her feature directorial debut with Behind Closed Gloves, which she also wrote, produced, and stars in. Bradshaw earned her B.A. in Theatre Performance in New York and continued her training at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Originally rooted in theatre, the New York native approaches filmmaking with a strong focus on performance and emotional truth, using visual style and cinematic elements to elevate the story rather than overshadow it.
“Behind Closed Gloves represents my introduction to the world as a filmmaker. At its core, the film explores what happens when perception becomes more powerful than truth. By exploring the intersection of celebrity culture and social media, the story invites audiences into that fishbowl and challenges them to consider the role we all play in creating, consuming, and amplifying the narratives around us.” - Tarina Bradshaw
Amber Jaunai is a Los Angeles-based actor from New York and a graduate of Pace University, where she earned her BFA in Acting. While working at New York's Church Street Boxing Gym, Jaunai developed a passion for boxing that deepened her discipline as a performer. Her work spans theatre, television, and voiceover. She starred in the New York Times Critics' Pick She Persisted at Atlantic Theater Company and performed with New York Theatre Workshop, The Flea Theater, Page 73, and The Tank. Her television credits include New Amsterdam, Bull, and Law & Order: SVU, and as a voice actor, she has collaborated with Nickelodeon, ESPN, and Max.
Tessa Munro studied acting at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and with renowned acting coaches Larry Moss and Gregg Binkley. Her theatre credits include performances at the Kennedy Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall. On screen, she has appeared in High Potential, NCIS, CSI: Vegas, S.W.A.T., Speechless, and Truth Be Told opposite Octavia Spencer and Kate Hudson, as well as the feature Captain Tsunami. Munro is also a dancer, third-degree black belt martial artist, and foster child advocate.
Justus Pickett is an actor based in San Diego, California, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is best known for his recurring role as Fernando on BET+'s hit series All the Queen's Men. With a background as a Division I athlete and former professional football player, Pickett brings a unique blend of discipline, presence, and emotional depth to his work. As his career continues to expand across television and film, he remains focused on compelling storytelling and dynamic, character driven performances.
Kip Gilman is a veteran film and television actor whose career spans decades across both studio and independent productions. His screen credits include Taylor Hackford's Parker opposite Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez, as well as Atlas Shrugged, Painless, Outlaws Don't Get Funerals, Bedroom Eyes, Scavengers, and Nights in White Satin. On television, he has appeared in Studio 5B, Relativity, Nurses, Loves Me, Loves Me Not, Dorothy, Foot in the Door, and Trapper John, M.D., among many others.