Everything You Missed From The Newly Dropped 'Insecure' Season 5 Trailer
The newly dropped trailer for the fifth and final season of Insecure just dropped and we are feeling the glowed up and growed up teas felt all throughout the two-minute preview of what's to come. Since its debut in 2016, we have laughed, we have cried, we went back and forth about being Team Lawrence, we've gotten annoyed AF by the Molly in our lives, but most of all, we have collectively felt seen in a visual representation of what it means to be a Black woman navigating through life and its many uncertainties. Season 5 of Insecure, which is set to premiere October 24 on HBO Max, is sure to be the homegoing we didn't know we needed.
But in the meantime in between time, let's get caught up on everything you missed in the trailer of what's to come this season on Insecure.
Are Molly and Andrew still together?
HBO/YouTube
At the end of season four, we were left on a cliffhanger of how the conversation between Molly (Yvonne Orji) and Andrew ended. Though their witty banter was cute, that got old real quick as the two had to make adjustments in their lives to balance love and work, but also to manage relationship pains that naturally came about as you are embarking on a new relationship with someone. While Andrew seemed willing to move, Molly seemed a bit stuck in her ways, a reality that also seemed to show its hand in her rocky friendship with Issa (more on that in a few).
From the looks of the trailer, Molly and Asian Bae are no longer a thing.
Molly is putting herself first.
HBO/YouTube
You know what they say, when a woman cuts her hair, she changes her life. From what we saw in the trailer, Molly the character is borrowing some real-life self-love juice from the actress that plays her, Yvonne Orji. Yvonne did a big chop and rocks her natural hair quite often off the screen. Molly ditching the wigs and weaves (some of the time) to embrace her natural hair in the series as well, which we love to see!
She also mentioned to her mother that she is not looking to date, she is focusing on her damn self. Since the start of the series, Molly has always placed a huge emphasis on "having it all" and that included having a time clock on having a man. To see her take a step back to prioritize herself is a huge step. Yasss sis!
Issa and Molly are working on their friendship.
HBO/YouTube
Something that fans loved and were divided on was the friendship breakup Issa Dee and Molly were going through in much of season four's overarching storyline. But, it was really real. As the two friends' lives grew and their priorities shifted, it was like they forgot to have important conversations and then their friendship suffered as a result. In the trailer, Molly can be seen asking Kelli (Natasha Rothwell) how she and Tiffany navigated a similar season in their lives. It's a testament to the fact that sometimes friends can outgrow each other, yes, but if there is effort, it might be possible to grow together.
Tiffany seems back to normal again.
HBO/YouTube
After a bout of baby blues that was explored during an episode last season, Tiffany (Amanda Seales) seems to have bounced back to being her bad and bougie self. Based off her quips in the trailer at least. Last season, she was notably detached from her little one after giving birth, so much so Kelli had to step in and fill in in areas Tiffany couldn't be a part of due to her postpartum depression. She also seems to be settling into her role as a mother.
Kofi Siriboe is in the building.
HBO/YouTube
Kofi Siriboe has been pulling double-duty starring in Queen Sugarand hit Netflix movies like Really Love. This year, he starred in Doja Cat's "Streets" music video and has been making movies as a business owner with his brand, We're Not Kids Anymore. And now sir is about to be guest-starring in the final season of Insecure? Issa Rae, you are a visionary!
Issa is still insecure about her place in the world.
HBO/YouTube
Despite the professional glow-up of Issa's character walking away from the comfort zone of her job (We Got Y'all) to pursue the dream that set her soul on fire, sis is still battling life's many uncertainties. She leveled up by pulling off an incredible event last season and from the looks of it, that move has opened career doors. But as Issa said in the trailer, she's ready for her life to be in the place where she isn't so unsure about everything. Girl, aren't we all?
Some of the career doors that are opening for her are making her feel like she's playing a role versus walking a path where she's successful in reality. It's something that a lot of us are sure to find relatable, myself included, but what's beautiful is amid the self-doubt, there are pockets of joy as she acknowledges where she's come even if she still has a way to go.
What's up with Issa and Lawrence?
HBO/YouTube
Umm, we don't know for sure if Lawrence (Jay Ellis) and Issa are still a couple. But with that earth-shattering announcement he revealed in the season four finale, we can't imagine that their second chance at love survived it. But it's quite possible that the two are doing their best to work through it. Personally, we really see it for her and Nate (Kendrick Sampson). Just saying.
Only time and the season premiere will tell us definitively where she and Lawrence stand post-baby gate.
But also, whose baby is that?!?!
HBO/YouTube
Chile, we don't know. But we have our best guesses... Sips tea.
Watch the official trailer for 'Insecure' Season 5 below:
Featured image by HBO/YouTube
- Everything We Know About 'Insecure' Season 4 - xoNecole ... ›
- Insecure Season 5 Premiere Episode, Takeaways - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."
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So,here’s the thing: just like Memorial Day doesn’t mean that it is officially summertime (the summer season actually begins during the third week of June), Labor Day does not officially mark the end of it either (summer ends around the third week of September). This means that if this summer season has somehow gotten away from you, you’ve still got a few weeks to take a bit of a vacation — even if it’s a quick one.
And if what you plan to do is hit up a beach so that you can spend some time in the ocean, that can actually be rejuvenating on a few different levels. Not only has it been proven thatbeing around ocean water will de-stress you as it helps you to practice mindfulness, but some impressive health benefits come with drinking saltwater (not directly from the ocean, of course) and being in saltwater (because many oceans havea good amount of dissolved salts in them) as well.
So, as you’re in the process of confirming your reservations and packing your swimsuits, check out seven reasons that will have you wondering why you took so long to make some of your own saltwater (to consume) and get into somebody’s ocean (to rejuvenate in) before October rolls around.
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1. Saltwater Replenishes Electrolytes
The easiest way to describe electrolytes is that they are the minerals (likecalcium, sodium, and potassium) thatyour body needs tokeep you properly hydrated, your nerves and muscles working well and your pH levels regulated. Keeping that in mind, some signs that your electrolyte levels are a little “off” are if you’re constantly feeling fatigued, your muscles are always cramping up (like a charley horse) or you have inexplicable headaches; it should also go on record that something that can cause you to lose electrolytes is if you happen to sweat a lot.
Although foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy green veggies can help you replenish your system of lost electrolytes,adding a bit of salt to your water can do the same thing. I’ve got some tips for how to make some of your own saltwaterhere. Also, if you want to attempt to turn ocean water into drinkable water, you can learn how to do sohere. Oh, and if you’re wondering if sea salt or table salt is better for you in the long run, it’s a semi-complex answer; you can read more about the pros and cons of bothhere.
2. Saltwater Aids in Weight Loss
If you’re looking for a way to detox your system, you might want to look into the pros and cons of a saltwater flush. Since it has a reputation for doing things like helping to balance your hormones, keeping your metabolism working well, and removing fluid retention, that’s why it can also be used to help shed a few pounds (some say that it can help with constipation, too). Just make sure that you do thorough research before using saltwater in this fashion because, while many recipes call for two teaspoons in a quarter of water, that is actually double what’s recommended on a daily basis. This means that if you do this often, it could result in unwanted side effects like nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.
3. Saltwater Exfoliates Your Scalp
As far as ocean water goes, if you’re not planning on rocking a swim cap, you should definitely soak your hair in water from a shower before taking a swim.The reason why is the properties in saltwater can end up dehydrating your hair and, if your tresses are color-treated, stripping your hair of its applied hues as well. However, if you’re looking foranother saltwater trick, applying a mixture of sea salt and water to your scalp before washing your hair can be beneficial if you’re looking for an all-natural way to exfoliate your scalp — which can remove dead skin cells and product build-up — so that your hair follicles are able to flourish and you can end up with a head of strong and healthy hair. There is a quick and easy sea salt scalp scrub recipehere.
LeoPatrizi/Getty Images
4. Saltwater Is Great for Oral Health
Maintaining proper oral health is so important and doing periodic saltwater rinses is one way to keep your teeth and gums in good condition. That’s because saltwater has been proven to do things like remove the bacteria that ultimately leads to tooth decay, help restore the pH balance in your mouth, get rid of plaque, and speed up the healing process of various oral procedures (like extractions). Just make sure that you use warm water and no more than a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass to get the most effective results.
5. Saltwater Detoxifies the Skin
Since it’s been said that ocean water has trace minerals in it, that’s part of the reason why swimming in it can be great when it comes to helping to heal skin irritation and itchiness, inflammation, soothing eczema, exfoliating your skin, reducing acne-causing bacteria, unclogging your pores and even increasing blood circulation in your skin. Some skincare specialists even say that saltwater can loosen up dandruff flakes; again, just make sure that your hair has been prepped with water and, if you plan to be in ocean water for a long period of time, you may want to apply a leave-in conditioner to your locks too.
6. Saltwater Improves Your Breathing
When you get a chance, check out the article, “With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean.” Apparently, over half of our oxygen comes from things in the ocean, like phytoplankton and seaweed. Not only that, but since you probably already know that saline can serve as a natural decongestant and saline is basically saltwater, it would make all of the sense in the world that taking in the air from ocean water would be good for your respiratory system too. I’ve even read that the salt, iodine, and magnesium that are found in the air that’s around the ocean can help to break up mucus that’s in your system. Plus, ocean air has very little air pollution in it which is always a major plus.
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7. Saltwater Improves Your Quality of Rest/Sleep
If you’ve ever taken a vacation, got a hotel room that was right off of the beach, and realized that you have super fond memories of it being some of the best rest and sleep that you’ve ever experienced in your life — there is definitely a science to that. There is plenty of research out here to support the fact that chilling out around the ocean (or sea) can help to decrease anxiety and depression levels, increase your serotonin levels and, if you’ve got arthritis, a dip in the ocean before turning in can help to reduce bodily inflammation as well.
As a bonus, grounding (which is basically when you walk on the beach by the water) can help your bare feet absorb electrons from the earth and the water which also can help to reduce bodily discomfort. Just one more reason to get a beach weekend in before summer officially ends — and to pack up some salt (to consume) while you’re at it. Don’t cha think? Definitely.
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