Quantcast
Issa Rae Says One Of Her Biggest Regrets Was Calling Out Lauren London—Here's Why
Rich Polk/Getty Images for ESSENCE

Issa Rae Says One Of Her Biggest Regrets Was Calling Out Lauren London—Here's Why

Their misunderstanding encouraged her to do better for Black women characters.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae covers Vanity Fair's June issue looking ready for business in a crisp black suit offset by a gold, armor-like bustier that levels up the whole ensemble. In fact, "Issa Rae Levels Up" is emblazoned across her image and the cover story inside is fitting of the headline. Not only is the writer/actor/producer gearing up for the final season of her "baby" Insecure, but she's hitting the ground running with several projects in the works.


Issa's lineup includes producing a Baldwin Hills-esque docu-series Sweet Life and an adaptation of popular podcast Nice White Parents, plus she's writing, producing, and starring in Perfect Strangers. She also has a second season of A Black Lady Sketch Show which she executive produces coming up, and she's working on a revival of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's HBO docu-series Project Greenlight, which gave money and support to aspiring filmmakers. So yeah, "levels up" is probably an understatement for what the 36-year-old has coming.

With all these new endeavors happening, one thing remains prevalent throughout Issa's work—the range of relatable Black women characters. If you're an Insecure fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Each season the women only get more complex and the introduction of new female roles only adds layers. Her mission is to do this for Black woman characters across the scope of her work.

In her interview with VF, she shares an interesting anecdote of hurting Lauren London's feelings a few years ago that really drove this message home. Luckily, the two have made up since—in part thanks to the late Nipsey Hussle for encouraging Issa to defuse the situation at a birthday party for Diddy.

Rich Polk/Getty Images for ESSENCE

Issa recalls a previous interview she did where she told the story of a TV executive who suggested that Lauren, most known for roles in ATL and The Game reboot, play the lead for a cable version of her YouTube hit Awkward Black Girl. That show became what we all love and know today as Insecure, which we can't imagine anyone else other than Issa as the off-beat leading lady.

And Issa couldn't imagine Lauren encapsulating the awkwardness that her character Issa Dee (based on her real self) embodies. Her point was that executives were out of touch with Black women and thought of swapping one for another even when they were nothing alike, but also that dark-skinned Black women could be edited out of their own narratives.

However, Issa's comments in the interview hurt London's feelings.

"One of my biggest regrets, naming her. She took offense to that."

It wasn't until the aforementioned Diddy birthday party two years ago where the pair reconciled:

"[Nipsey] was like, 'You should just talk to her. Let me set it up.' It actually sparked an amazing two-hour conversation. We had so much in common. She was like, 'People don't understand, I'm an awkward Black girl.' In the same way that I was upset about the limited portrayal of Black women, she was like, 'People do the same thing to me.' I completely get that."

Consider the situation a lesson learned. Issa continues to expand her concept of Black female characters.

She also admits to still being in a group chat with Rihanna, Lupita Nyong'o, and Ava DuVernay ever since a rival photo from NYFW '16 that Twitter wants made into a movie, and we concur.

The more versatile Black woman roles, the better.

Featured image by Rich Polk/Getty Images for ESSENCE

Necole Kane Exits xoNecole To Pursue Her Next Venture

Seven years ago, our founder Necole Kane shook up the internet when she abruptly announced that she was shutting down her popular celebrity gossip blog, NecoleBitchie.com, to pursue a more purposeful path. As a result, xoNecole was born. Seven years later, Necole is making yet another bold move by saying goodbye to xoNecole and focusing on her next pursuit: helping women experience better periods.

Keep reading...Show less
The daily empowerment fix you need.
Make things inbox official.
The Ideal Career For You, Based On Your Zodiac Sign

The ideal career for your zodiac sign is where the Sun thrives the most in your birth chart. Your sun sign not only involves who you are, but it also gives you insight into what your purpose in life is, and where you feel the most confident or like you are fulfilling your purpose. Along with the midheaven, your sun sign is where you tend to gravitate towards in life and where you express yourself in the best light. You can find your ideal career by looking at what your sign is, and your birth chart at large.

Keep reading...Show less
Silk Press Season Is Underway & Here's What You Should Know About It

The leaves are turning. The temperatures are dropping. And you know what that means: it's silk press szn. Getting a silk press is a treat for me. I especially enjoy how a silk press trim shapes my natural curls and makes them pop. So when I was invited to The Purple Door Salon in Atlanta (which is stunning, btw) for a silk press with master stylist and Mizani artist and educator Todd Edwards, of course, I said yes.

Keep reading...Show less
Normani, Jazmine Sullivan, And More Speak On The Importance Of Self-Exams After Breast Cancer Hits Close To Home

October is breast cancer awareness month. According to cancer.org, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women and Black women have the highest death rate from the disease. Every October, we are reminded of the shocking statistics and how essential preventive measures are. Normani has joined the conversation about breast cancer among Black women after sharing that her mother has been diagnosed with the disease for a second time. One of the things she learned from her mom was the importance of breast self-exams.

Keep reading...Show less
Tracee Ellis Ross Breaks Down What ‘Wander, Ponder, And Be’ Means To Her

As Tracee Ellis Ross preps for her 50th birthday on October 29, the black-ish star is reflecting on the many things she’s learned along the way. One of those things is “wander, ponder, be,” which she uses to help her write speeches. During her interview with Hoda & Jenna, the beloved comedic actress gave insight into what those three words actually mean and how she applies them to her life. “I started figuring out the wander, ponder, be’s whenever I was writing a speech. Because in order to write a speech you just sort of have something come in from the inside,” she explained.

Keep reading...Show less
Exclusive Interviews
Latest Posts