Issa Rae Learned How To Write Shows After Winning A Script At A Live Taping Of ‘Moesha’
I always find myself falling down steep rabbit holes to learn the backstories of how Black women broke into Hollywood. Every celebrity has their own story, and oftentimes, it's the same old song: networking, making connections, knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone. Girl meets agent, agent knows person, person knows three other people, who can connect you to the cousin of someone else -- you know, the usual.
So, when it comes to our fave, Issa Rae, learning that her writing career ignited in the most perfectly Issa way possible, I found myself loving her even more (if that can even happen). It all started while watching a 2021 Bustle interview. In the clip, Issa shares some of her most major life-changing moments. While telling the story of the time she visited the set of UPN's Moesha, she opened up about how that moment shaped her career.
"So in 1996 I got to go to the set of 'Moesha' and be in the live studio audience. And I won a script. That script was like the blueprint, it was the template, it was the ticket to get into the industry for me and that's what I used to write my own stuff."
The way my inner teenage girl is screaming at the thought of Brandy birthing THE Issa Rae is almost too much to handle. And it's so damn "Issa."
The best part is this isn't even the first time that Rae has paid homage to the show. In 2018, the newlywed portrayed ’90s Black sitcom characters in a profile for GQ, while discussing her rise and life as the showrunner and star of Insecure.
In the photoshoot for the profile, Issa portrayed fellow legend and Grammy-winning songstress, Brandy as Moesha, alongside the likes of Steve Urkel from Family Matters, Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Dwayne Wayne from A Different World.
Issa’s take on Moesha caught the eye of Brandy, who sent Rae a sweet message via Twitter, thanking her for the acknowledgment.
"@IssaRae you’re such a beautiful spirit. Thank you for portraying me in your @GQMagazine shoot for #BlackTvIcons #MoEsha #blessing"
To see the impact of Moesha, a series that tackled social issues such as drug use, racism, the death of a parent, and pre-marital sex in a time where representation was becoming more and more prevalent, is one thing, but to know it birthed the creativity of Issa Rae, is one we love to see.
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Featured image by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
