
Stepping Into The Spotlight: Natasha Rothwell On Owning Her Story And Elevating Black Women In TV

You know that one character who might be on the sidelines to the A story, but the minute they are on-screen, their side quests immediately make the show? Or better yet, that character who steals every scene they are in? For me, that's Natasha Rothwell.
Whether she's playing a meme queen fast-talking podcaster Kelli on Insecure, or a more layered performance as Belinda in White Lotus, a hotel spa manager with a heart of gold who gets tied up in the manipulative hands of Jennifer Coolidge, Natasha becomes the focal point of most of her work side character or not.
Take a look at her credits, and you instantly understand how comfortable Natasha is behind the scenes as a writer or a producer or even flying a bit under the radar when in front of the camera as a supporting cast member or a series regular. However, in her latest role in Hulu's How to Die Alone, Natasha is stepping out of her comfort zone as a supporting character and getting the main character treatment.
As a storyteller, Natasha is in her bag. But as the new series' main character, the 43-year-old is getting real about the spotlight taking some getting used to but also being a place she's ready to shift into. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, she shared, "I don't typically walk through life with main character energy, so it’s been a little awkward trying to get used to the spotlight in that sense. But I’m really happy to be here."
How to Die Alone is almost eight years in the making for the multihyphenate who, in addition to acting as the series star, also serves as series creator, co-showrunner, executive producer, and writes. In it, she plays Melissa aka Mel, "a broke, fat, Black JFK airport employee who 's never been in love and forgotten how to dream," per Hulu. After a near-death experience, Mel vows to stop existing and start living her best life.
"I feel so grateful for the work that I’ve done before now," she shared with Harper's Bazaar. "I feel like it’s all been preparing me for this, but even with that kind of lived experience as preparation, nothing prepares you for being center frame and going on a press tour and promoting your show and having another show coming out following that. It has been really beautiful and amazing to see people show up for me and support me."
With How to Die Alone, Natasha is proof-positive of what happens when preparation meets opportunity. The actor said that her roles in shows like Insecure helped her stay ready so she didn't have to get ready, and said shifting the focus from sharing others' stories to sharing her own was "a natural next step."
"'Insecure' was an amazing training ground—being able to be front row and center for Issa Rae’s journey, and her being the star and creator of the show. I was definitely taking notes over the years."
As a plus-size Black woman, one thing that was important to Natasha when crafting Mel's story was to showcase the "multitudes" of the woman she walks through the world as. "I think so often, walking through the world as a plus-size Black woman, people have preconceived notions about what I can do and how I can behave, and I contain multitudes," she explained to Haper's Bazaar, "And the experience of being a Black woman is as varied as there are many of us. We’re not a monolith."
She continued, "I think that it’s important to show all of the colors that can be painted with characters and not just limit the expression of emotion and the expression of character to just comedy or drama. Life is a beautiful blend of both, and it was important for me to have that authenticity expressed and how the character purports herself in her relationships with others, and with herself."
Next up for Natasha is a television show based on TikTok star Reesa Teesa's Who Tf Did I Marry? saga that captivated millions when it went viral earlier this year. According to a Variety exclusive, Natasha will pull double-duty in the series as both star and producer.
"It was not her trauma that interested me and [made me] want to throw my hat in the ring, it was her — who she is as a person, how she survived all of it — and viral fame, how she's surviving that. I was like, 'Oh, now this is when I lean in,'" she told PEOPLE.
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Featured image by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Have you ever wondered why it seems as if you can never catch a break financially? Or do you find yourself complaining that you're "broke" more times than you would like to admit? I want to let you in on a little secret: your money mindset plays a major role in the overall success of your finances.
Those myths that you keep telling yourself, and believe to be true may be what's holding you back, boo. Most of the time you're thinking these things on a subconscious level and may not even realize the damage that's being done. But once you gain clarity and call out your limiting beliefs for what they are, you'll finally be able to break free and reach new levels financially.
Let's dig into a few myths that have a direct impact on your money and are keeping you BROKE.
1. “Money is the root of all evil.”
Nah, this right here is a straight-up LIE! The truth is this: the LOVE OF MONEY is the root of all evil. When you think that money is the root of all evil, you're limiting yourself from keeping money, as well as receiving more of it. Without even knowing it, you might be scared of going after opportunities that will get you to the money.
Think about it. How can money be evil? Money is simply a resource that we control. Instead of believing and saying that money is the root of all evil, replace it with this supporting belief instead:
"Money is a resource and a means to do good and live well."
2. "I'm broke."
Broke is a mindset, boo. Your financial situation is shaped by how you think about money, which influences how you manage your money. Guess what? If you keep crying that you're broke, you're going to remain that way. All you are doing is reinforcing that limiting belief into the universe and your actions aren't gonna line up with what you need to do in order to get ahead.
It's imperative that you get a grip on this way of thinking and behaving, or else you'll never be able to break the cycle. I challenge you to think more in terms of abundance and believing that you can be wealthy. Are you up for the challenge?
3. "I can afford it."
You say that you can afford that pair of shoes and then turn around and realize that you don't even have enough money for gas the morning after. You can't just look at your checking account balance in the moment and think that everything is all good. Trust me, I've been there. This is where having a clear-cut, written budget comes in handy.
A budget is really just a spending/savings plan. It's a strategic system that lets you know how much money is coming in and going out every month. In reality, a budget can:
- Help you understand your financial situation and whether you can really afford something or not.
- Help you save for the things you want and do more of what you enjoy.
- Help you avoid getting caught short by bills you can't pay.
- Help you escape the paycheck-to-paycheck life.
4. "I deserve to treat myself."
How many "treats" do you need, sis? If you really sit down and keep it 100 with yourself, do you really deserve those so-called treats? Are you taking care of your responsibilities like you should be? Instead of buying things that you don't need (with money you don't have) and labeling them as a "treat," you should be treating yourself by investing in your future and saving some coins.
If you spend all of the money that you earn instead of saving and investing it, you will never create the financial abundance that you do desire to have.
Here's a tip: Try putting both your short-term and long-term savings on auto-pilot so you don't even notice the money that you could be missing. When you don't have to look at it, you aren't tempted by any "excess" that you might have.
5. "I need to make more money and then I'll be better with my finances."
If you can't manage the little that you have now, what makes you think that you're gonna be able to manage more money? The more money you make, the more you're gonna spend if you don't get those habits in check early on. You're going to go right back to complaining about your finances and crying that you're still broke and in need of even more money. You'll never be satisfied. There will never be enough money. Remember, there are former millionaires who are struggling out here in these streets because they wanted to live a "fake fancy" lifestyle and ball out of control.
Start by being content with the income that you currently have and handling it with better care. Learn the ins and outs of sound financial management now, so that when you're finally blessed with more, you'll be able to manage it with ease.
I challenge you to start thinking better, which will ultimately lead to you doing better. It's time to prioritize your finances in a way that you haven't done before if you want to level up this year. It's time to activate your discipline. It's time to finally do something different.
Make the commitment to yourself and decide that absolutely nothing's gonna stand in your way of breaking that broke mentality.
What’s better than being in love? Building an empire while doing it. Watch Making Cents to see how real couples turn their money dreams into money moves.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
Originally published on January 5, 2018