Multiple Nominee Issa Rae Will Make History If She Brings Home an Emmy for Lead Comedy Series

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“I don't wake up like, ‘Today’s about to be about Black Lives Matter,’ ” says Issa Rae about why she thinks themed episodes are “corny.” “When you experience racism or sexism, your life doesn’t stop, but it may affect how you talk to your partner that night. Those are the moments that I’m more interested in.” Rae was photographed Aug. 6 at the Paramour Estate in Silver Lake.

Styling by Jason Rembert Brandon Maxwell top and skirt, Cartier bracelets and rings.

Multiple nominee Issa Rae will make history if she brings home an Emmy for lead comedy series. Making way for diverse writers at her two production companies, the Insecure creator-star talks early doubts, her project with Jordan Peele and navigating Hollywood: ‘You can’t be polite, or tiptoe, or be modest about these things’ By JESSICA HERNDON Photographed by ERIK CARTER ‘MY LONGEVITY WILL BE OPENING THE DOOR FOR OTHERS’ winning series isup for eight Emmys,winning series for two including malize decade. in the lives past onscreen Black THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF ISSA RAE’S ISSA OF COURSE THE THROUGHOUT Insecure all platforms), across episode million viewers per 4.5 that shit.” With had healthy ratingsseason fourth (its thinking. We and get washing their hands just don’t to get — that have with white them people scenes [Penny, Prentice something “That’s says. she real in between,” we’reor supernatural, there and was just never any we’re or struggle stories, characters, side just specific Traditionally, on have “focused characters Black been life like in Los feels friends Angeles. her and for her able). what everyday Rae depicts Through the series, behaves and to makeappears comfort others feel (adjusting speaks, how code-switching one and hood mother ex-boyfriendupon class, gentrification, drama, that touch storylines savvy writers —imparts room and cast apredominantly Black — ashow comprising my be this, reading guest.”) to up after fess wants say if he but cannot who, absolutely Rae “I says, the rightmade asked, validated.” choice.’ Ifelt so (When wasand like, ‘Yeah, fucked Iwould’ve your up. shit You for the show. “Years later, up to at aparty came me he thinksaying fit to didn’t no was she adirector agood to make day,” the next That involved call adds. she the that up making call Ineeded ended “I label. record a and growingher companies empire of production two yet-renovated willwhich house space, office Inglewood not- her outside sitting for me,’ ” saysmoment 35, Rae, their ground. polite stood and they’d when being dropped flashpoints, pivotal career woman emphasized each as Rae listened produces. writes and in, stars that created, series she dramedy to the pilot direct of Insecure person best the to by trying find —and the around her women to thenewcomer occupied tier of influence power and Atcover the shoot. —arelative time, Rae was 30 Akil at an Essence Brock Mara and Rhimes Shonda by while surrounded Ava2015 DuVernay, Allen, Debbie in received she the as wisdom impactful as been has none But advice. career, of good plenty she’s absorbed Now four seasons strong, the Peabody Award- the Peabody strong, Now four seasons Through the lens of a young Black woman, Insecure Through ofwoman, the ayoung lens Black this isalife-changing ‘Oh, feeling, remember “I T Insecure is arguably the most impactful show to nor impactful isarguably the most THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER HOLLYWOOD THE ’s showrunner] Italked and about , the HBO -

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2019’s 2019’s From in starring them. been also has day at 4 a.m., imagination.”beyond the limitations of Hollywood’s of Insecure sode Says Kerry an epi Washington,lyricists. directed who Rap Shit series Max picture; HBO and Strangers feature She’s teaming for also with the Peele sci-fi Jordan company, other production her Rae Productions. Issa for television, Black on HBO’s docuseries &Heard, Seen that Rae would executiveit was announced produce In early from August, diverse writers. develop projects amultipicturestruck with Pictures deal Columbia to That’s all youthis?’ want.” what is like, the ‘Oh, to series, know about people more “Awards validate don’t you,” allow “They says. she Rae’s But sketch for here not the accolades. series. Sketch Show award. exec of as Lady HBO’s And ABlack producer woman creator show to of apremium receive the cable Black Rae the will first be series, forwins comedy If Insecure in 1981. Sanford for The Jeffersons Isabel woman to take the Emmy home since in the category Black the only makeas second she’ll history actress, If Rae for wins lead series. category, comedy same and nomination in following 2018 the her actress, Rae: lead Girl YouTube The Misadventures of series Awkward Black was the second at Stanford University; students Black Diaries Dorm web shows —the first, Two to before moving back L.A. Potomac, Maryland, in childhood of her part spent of five children, is one who Rae Diop, Jo-Issa from Louisiana, ateacher and doctor to aSenegalese in Los Born Angeles knows. she mining what for the been Rae, has key to success her thought of to like something do that.” to be flattered lead.’ Iwas almost a romantic comedy to Iget Iwas like, for be all “Selfishly, board of it: ‘Oh, Rae ison of the pandemic, in Mayrelease because Lovebirds so much excitement.” much so that something it’s me brings talented, more massively have Ithink who in, are the to ability bring other people “To alegacy: to craft what itmeans and toity able be to during COVID-19, back production getting pay par (virtual) Rae discusses five, writers for season room for fell Rae through, was in talksShondaland) with HBO (sold to by ABC Dudes way of Rhimes’ I Hate L.A. you exploit that acreative as much.” so means Rae with Insecure with Rae In addition to penning features, Rae, who starts her her starts In addition features, who to Rae, penning Rae’s company, production In 2018, ColorCreative, While many relish jumping into actors the unfamiliar, By 2013, a year after a half-hour comedy called ahalf-hour ayear called after 2013, comedy By Insecure — led to Insecure —led AUGUST 19, 2020 AUGUST Little Perfect Perfect feature, first her juggling while Sinkhole ; , which switched from atheatrical switched , which to aNetflix Badmash , which premiered in 2016. Now in the in 2016. premiered , which , to February’s The Photograph, to February’s , she is also in the also is running, she for variety showrunner Prentice Penny. in season four: “Issa’s vision extends extends vision “Issa’s four: in season , a Bollywood crime-comedy . “Nobody’s you,” she says. “How you,” “How says. she . “Nobody’s , centered on on , centered , about female female , about The , to The -

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HAIR BY FELICIA LEATHERWOOD, MAKEUP BY JOANNA SIMKIN FOR SHISEIDO AT THE WALL GROUP. PENNY: MERIE W. WALLACE/HBO. like, like, when Igot New York, to Iwas theater. Then pursue to wanted I that thought Ialso college, In days? were those How York fellowship. a New theater pursued you Stanford, After don’t enough. I just care that’s out of place.” by everything you get and bothered detail single “Wow. You every pay to attention of Insecure episodes seven directed who [Matsoukas, Melina meeting Like aspects. [about] visual the not necessarily much control. I’m too it. It felt like do to Istarted until adirector be to Iwanted Ithought classes. ing writ creative and classes drama took and Yes, theater but Istudied film. not studies, American African you studied to Stanford, back Taking it the withoutgents.” fication benefits the of gentri “I want like, Inglewood, in I remember being me. bothered always That mind. in community the with invests But no oneit really acharacter. make and there something set to me excited now really …Itis just how to it accurate Ifeltthat was away in it portrayed hadn’t been that realizing and how it Black is just for show, the knowing and idea the up with we were coming loved it much. so just then and get anewto of appreciation L.A., you here.” knows Ihad Everybody don’t here? come back you just why home and is this me, “Girl, reminded afriend and visit and come back Iwould meant. that it out —whatever there make to Iwanted that convinced I was Harlem. and Heights Washington like neighborhoods, Black the in New York, in [When] Iwas Iwas back. you came to Stanford, going Even after open mygem, to but mouth. Ihad it.” “I regret ahidden Itlike, was neighborhood.” Iwas our feature love you “Yo, that like, Ireally was she me up and to came lady This do. to I’m exercise willing only the that’s because time the all hood my neighbor in walk I love it. I’ll Park. View neighborhood, to our other, any alove was letter than so more season, this like I felt Then I lived in Inglewood while while Inglewood in Ilived Then “Oh, this is real theater. I real is “Oh, this 55 ], I was like, like, ], Iwas

- - - don’t like this.” It was a little too How do we keep that Issa Rae’s Hollywood Inner Circle else. Those are the moments that abstract. And admittedly felt momentum going? I’m more interested in. really, really white in a way. I think it is going. It’s a terrible But the public theater was all expression now, but it’s keeping How do you see the pandemic about facilitating playwrights of our foot on people’s faces in that impacting plot, and how do you color and creating this pipeline to way of, “Don’t forget this. You intend to shoot? Broadway. It sparked an idea for posted a little black square, but I don’t want to mention COVID or 1 2 me to form a collective of Black we’re still about this life, and if the pandemic in any way, shape or filmmakers to make our own you’re serious, then do something form. We are addressing the fact work and, I think, subconsciously about it.” And I’ve seen a real that the city is going to be differ- laid the foundation for some of commitment to people want- ent, and part of the way that we’re the work that I did later. From left: Rae and Larry Wilmore at the 2016 L.A. Insecure premiere; View Park features ing to change. talking about it is putting people prominently in Insecure; with Emmy-nominated co-star Yvonne Orji (center) on set. 6 3 with masks in the background or Eight Emmy nominations for Have there been times when subtle things like the business Insecure this year, the most so being ColorCreative, and spent I do question that. I still [do]. Not alter the storyline. Me and someone, maybe perhaps being impacted because we’re so far. What is this moment like, all my money and didn’t have For me, my longevity will be some of the actors were on a with more power, wanted to location-specific. We’re supposed and for co-star Yvonne Orji to anything. I remember being on opening the door for others. I group chat. First we were talking override a certain vision? to shoot in September, so that’s also be nominated? the set of a pilot we were filming think frequently about the Tupac about, “We should protest. How All of that was early on. I remem- 5 4 not happening. It changes every Anybody can tell you when I [Words with Girls] and getting the quote: “I’m going to be the light are we going to get together?” ber the biggest thing back and single day. It’s definitely a painful heard Yvonne’s name, that’s when call that HBO was not feeling the that sparks the inspiration, that And it came down to the show, forth we had was with the former reminder that you don’t control I got really excited. I had been latest draft and I was losing Larry sparks the change.” I need to get like, “Do we even do anything? president [Michael Lombardo], your plans. nominated before, but I’m very [Wilmore, Insecure’s first show- that quote right. [Exact quote: We shouldn’t promote this shit, and the show title. He wasn’t

much aware that I don’t do this runner]. I was like, “This isn’t “I’m not saying I’m going to right?” And then we got on the super insistent about it, but he 1. Kerry Washington, 3. Robin Thede, 5. Prentice Penny, What are some of the new by myself. I did feel guilty. It was going to happen for me, and I just change the world, but I guarantee phone with HBO just to get was passionate about the fact that Insecure director creator-star Insecure showrunner pressures you’re facing? “I get the sense that of A Black Lady “The thing that I admire just like, “Everybody else is kill- did all of this for nothing.” that I will spark the brain that behind the messaging and what he didn’t think that Insecure fit Issa isn’t worried about Sketch Show about Issa? I think the The longevity of it. I really want navigating ‘Hollywood.’ “Comedy writing is fun love of her people and the ing it and they’re really helping to Thankfully, Larry leaving for will change the world.”] we wanted to say, to make sure because he was like, “I see these She’s too busy grappling because you get to take people she works with. In to make sure that what I’m doing elevate me and they’re not getting The Nightly Show, as much as that people didn’t think that we strong, confident Black women, with the fulfillment of the most outrageous the five years we’ve been has impact and is long-lasting. I her potential and the situations and make them doing this, she is still just the recognition.” I love him, was the best thing Why do you feel like this were being tone-deaf to what was and they’re fierce.” And all the execution of her legacy. relatable and memorable, as gracious and kind. want to feel rooted … But Yvonne was like, “They’re that could’ve happened because season really stood out for happening. So they were also very terms that we use to describe our- One of the things that I something Issa does with She is so authentic to the admire most about Issa is precision. There are so stories we are telling and watching and they’re seeing the it forced me to be like, “OK. It’s Emmy voters? helpful, and Natasha [Rothwell, selves, but I was like, “Ooh, that’s her absolute authentic- many moments [in her the experiences, from the What would make you ity. Her creative and shows] that I quote regu- writers to the directors work we’re doing.” To be a four- not a workplace comedy,” and I’m going to be real. I think the series regular, writer and super- not … No, they’re not specifically.” professional choices are larly with my girlfriends. we hire to the places feel rooted? season show, to have it happen having a conversation with HBO pandemic, being quarantined dur- vising producer] wrote a beautiful And [that’s] exactly what we want rooted in a deep sense What makes Issa’s writing we film. I think that Girl, this is for my therapist that I of who she is, her gifts so strong is that she’s not permeates throughout now, is not lost on me because was really helpful just in terms of ing a period when our humanity statement that we were able to to showcase throughout the show and what she uniquely trying to impress. She’s the show.” don’t have. I don’t know. It always piggyback off, just, “We’re aware … the title reflects that, and as cares about.” simply giving you life changes. It’s old age and still stories and making them 6. Melina Matsoukas, of this time, and we’re also aware soon as I explained that that’s 2. Yvonne Orji, accessible for an entire Insecure director being here. Denzel-ness. Alfre “EVEN OUR SHOW, I FELT A HUGE GUILT IN COMING OUT DURING THE PROTESTS of the beauty of us, and we don’t what we’re trying to combat, he co-star and fellow generation of women just “We don’t get to see Woodard-ness. I mean, Denzel is a Emmy nominee like her. It truly is Black that often on TV where want anything to negate that.” got it and backed off. “What I love about girl magic at its best.” two Black women good model because he belongs to BECAUSE THERE WERE JUST SO MANY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPENING.” Issa’s creative vision is support and empower That’s how we were all feeling Beyond those early script stages, that she’s so clear 4. Regina King, each other and also Black people and has never denied in the episode that aired during they’ve been really, really sup- about it. I remember Insecure director are arguing at times, who he is and his roots. The stuff one season we were “Issa can make people but loving each other there’s so many new and amazing centering it. It was just like, “I’m was questioned, in a more front- that one specific Sunday [May 31]. portive, and they’ve never pulled running low on days who aren’t Black relate to in this way that they’re that he’s done underground to to shoot. There was her very Black experience. not competing with shows. To have the culture support going to put everything that I’m facing way, definitely helped. It just so happened to align, in a us to the side, “Can you explain an opportunity for Not many storytellers each other. That is so help young Black actors, to create our show, it’s a FUBU [For Us, By going through out on the table in We came on during a time when very dark way, perfectly. this first because the audience ”… us to cheat, shooting have accomplished that. important, and it’s one a pipeline for them. He’s also been somewher in the Valley You have Beyoncé, you of the reasons I signed Us] show in every way … I feel so this pilot. If they say no, at least I people were bored at home, and So many of us were just feeling They don’t care about your broad for South L.A. Issa said, have Issa. But I don’t on. Not only because I a producer and a director and is blessed and we love every second. tried, and fuck it.” also there were racial uprisings, the same feelings of dread. I was appeal, which is why I also wanted ‘Nah, that won’t work want any Black person love Issa, but I felt like it just so revered and has a Black- because I know the who has been recognized was a perspective that and our show served as a comfort. so worried, too, just thinking to make a home with them, neighborhood I want to this season to allow the was so unique. I related ass family. I got to go to his AFI depict, and anybody who conversation of ‘Well, so much to what she was Was there ever a moment back Hollywood definitely isn’t Thank God, because to release about, before I went out there, because the ratings on it were dry lives [there] will know. I it’s because of Black saying, how she really tribute, and I was just reminded, then when you had doubts? an industry that was anything else during this time the people who were out there in : MERIE WALLACE/HBO W. (2). then, and they’re very aware of don’t want to compro- Lives Matter.’ Don’t fall wanted to change the “Man, this man has meant so mise that.’ ” for that.” television landscape.” [With] Insecure, it took so long and made for us [Black people] — even our show — I felt a huge the streets, and how historically, being a subscription-based model. much to me, my mom, my aunt, every draft was like, “No, this isn’t to have longevity. guilt in coming out during the our voices had been suppressed, We’re going to appeal to who we my grandmother, and that mat- it. No, this isn’t it. No, this isn’t By no means. protests because there were just and we’ve been baited by various appeal to, and there’s no pressure A hundred percent. There’s no Insecure deals with issues of ters to me.” There’s a legacy there. it.” I was just like, “Oh, OK. Maybe so many more important things fear tactics, and I was just like, there. They were also really good question that some of the input sex and race and class, but you this is the end of the road for me,” How does it feel to be defying happening, I didn’t want to take “They’re going to target people. about not leaving us in the dark that we would get would be dif- guys never seem to jump into You are now in a position to especially when I’m investing in that and to say, “Fuck that. I’m full focus away from that. But to They’re going to try to make it about whether we were going to ferent. I’m also really happy that the topical fray. You’re never demand more money. What this big venture, which ended up here. I’m staying.” hear people be like, “No, this is an so that nothing changes once get picked up. That first season, there aren’t a lot of executives on like, “This is the Black Lives does that feel like? escape. It brings us back to Black again.” That was a devastating I was scared as hell, but since our show. Part of the intimacy Matter episode.” We’ll find out. I mean, I’ve defi-

Rae in her people being joyous and happy and part: Is this just going to be for season two, they’ve been really is that we have two people [Amy Yeah, I feel like it’s corny. We’re nitely demanded. Yvonne joked YouTube ourselves” — our natural state the moment? And then, are we great about letting us know that Gravitt, HBO’s comedy head, and not an after-school special. That’s before the Emmy nominations series The Misadventures really felt like we were meant to going to forget about this? But we have a home. Amy Hodge, vp original pro- not how we live life. I don’t wake came out, “Girl, I told all my of Awkward air during this time. I think that from what I’ve seen behind the gramming], where at a network, up like, “Today’s about to be about agents, ‘Don’t make no deals until Black Girl, which led to a for sure helped people to see our scenes and some of the people I wonder about the dynamic of you have two people here, three Black Lives Matter.” When you after Tuesday or Monday,’ when- comedy being sold to ABC show in a different light. that I’m working with, there is the room being predominantly people here, two people there, and experience racism or sexism, your ever the announcements were, via Shonda a dedicated energy to making white execs. Do you think that it’s just so many voices. Can HBO life doesn’t stop, but it may affect because our price is going up or Rhimes’ Shondaland In processing the guilt that you sure that this time is for real, and anything would be different if improve in terms of their hiring how you talk to your partner that down.” So there is something to and, later, that we’re making real impact to Insecure felt, were there ever moments those rooms reflected the way practices? A thousand percent. night when you get home or pre- that, too, of just realizing your at HBO. of “Should we alter a storyline?” moving forward. the world really is? They’ve got to do it. vent you from doing something worth. Also, seeing how little WILMORE: ALLEN BEREZOVSKY/GETTY IMAGES. WASHINGTON, ORJI: KARWAI TANG/GETTY IMAGES. THEDE: LEON BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES. KING:JEFF KEVIN KRAVITZ/GETTY MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES FOR IMAGES WARNERMEDIA. FOR SEAN MATSOUKAS: COMBS. AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY PENNY: IMAGES. RAE: RICH POLK/GETTY IMAGES. INSECURE

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 56 AUGUST 19, 2020 THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 57 AUGUST 19, 2020 these white people care about “The quest for the sinkhole makes everything female perfection The Entities of Issa Rae’s Growing Empire asking for more than they’re is something so perfect. The quest for female worth in many cases. You can’t eerie to me,” says perfection is really intriguing Rae about one 1. ColorCreative partnership with Kobalt; music supervision by way of the be polite, or tiptoe, or be mod- of the themes to me and what that means now, she’ll be exploring Prioritizing women and minority creators, ColorCreative, acquisition of Bonfire Collective; and a record label, an est about those things. You’re in her project especially in a culture that’s still formed in 2014, facilitates the development and production imprint of Atlantic Records. TeaMarrr, an R&B singer whose seeing these nine-, 10-figure with Jordan Peele, resistant to feminism. There’s of original scripted and unscripted content for film, TV and music was featured on Insecure, is the first artist to sign. Sinkhole. deals out there. I have a great just something so eerie about digital. “I’m drawn to ambitious people who are confident in With a mission to give artists ownership of their masters and Marc Jacobs coat, what they have to say,” says Rae of what she looks for in the provide them with health care, Rae told Billboard of the acts team that also is not afraid to dress and gloves, that quest to me. Also, what Black Bulgari necklace, talent she signs. In 2018, the company, which uses a Patreon she’s looking to sign: “I want to prioritize female artists, L.A. ask for beyond my worth. I have earrings and rings. female perfection looks like, and account to help fund the work of upcoming talent, teamed artists and Black independent artists.” an amazing Black lawyer who is relationship politics — when with Columbia Pictures for a multipicture deal to develop constantly being like, “No, I’m you have a particular dynamic projects from diverse writers. In July, Rae and her production 4. Streamlytics going to get you better.” Or, “No, that’s working for you as a couple. partner, Deniese Davis, added a management division, which Rae invested in the streaming-media data startup focused on providing data that reflects the tastes of people of color I’m going to make sure. I heard We’re just in that brainstorming motion picture agent and CAA alum Talitha Watkins will run. in late 2019. The company, which Rae told Fast Company is that so-and-so made this, you’re phase now. 2. Issa Rae Productions “necessary for transparency and consumer ownership,” was about to make this.” Sara [Rastogi, who is the Dedicated to developing projects that break boundaries in founded by Angela Benton, entrepreneur and owner of B20, vp development at Issa Rae storytelling and representation, Rae’s production banner, a media platform for Black people working in tech. Rae has Criticism — how does it Productions] was like, “What which produces Insecure and A Black Lady Sketch Show, will called Benton “a pioneer in the tech space.” affect you? do you think about bringing it executive produce, alongside Montrel McKay, Seen & Heard, the two-part docuseries for HBO on Black television’s history. I’m open to all criticism. I feel to Jordan Peele or pairing with “It’s taking a deep dive in the stories that you didn’t hear from like you have to be, to be in this them?” So it was as easy as that. some of our all-time greats, behind the scenes and in front of industry. There are Black crit- They were into it and then it was the camera,” says Rae, who credits 1990s shows like Moesha ics that I value what they think up to us to convince the writer, and Living Single as paving because I read what they read, or I a young white female writer “the way for my existence.” Tre Cnt, a half-hour series read what they write about every- [Leyna Krow], that we were the on backyard wrestling, thing. I love it. I can see this point best people for the job. She said for which Rae has teamed of view, and that’s so interesting. in an interview what intrigued with Dwayne Johnson and It may be reflected in something her the most was that the ideas Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks else that I do down the line, or it that we had extended beyond Productions, is also in development, as is Ghost in the may spark inspiration for conver- her perspective. She was like, Machine, a feature based on sations that we may have. We feed “I’m a writer and I think about real-life Black financial Robin each other in that really interest- white people when I write.” The Hood figure Tanya Smith. Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen ↑ ing way. idea that we could bring some- Motivated by the desire for a Black-owned space in her neigh- But let’s be real. There are a thing else to the table in a way 3. Raedio borhood where people could gather and be productive, Rae, In 2019 Rae and business alongside co-owners Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos, opened couple where I’m like, “Oh, this that she hadn’t thought of really partner Benoni Tagoe Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in Inglewood (there’s another outpost person just comes for me,” or excited her. launched Raedio, a music in View Park) in late 2019. Scenes from season four of Insecure “This person doesn’t like me.” To be in a competitive situation company housing pub- were shot there, as were the show’s Wine Down segments. You’re putting your personal life like that — we’re a very small, lishing and a library via a “The more I became stable, the more I realized, ‘Oh, I can do into it. You’re a blogger, not a critic independent production com- what I always wanted to do and thought about doing, and take Singer TeaMarrr (right) with Rae. it a step at a time,’ ” says Rae of investing in her community. at this point. It’s an art form. pany, [and] obviously Jordan Peele is just massive in terms of what How is one of your first forays he’s been able to do in such a short to your personal life, why do you just did a video for Big Sean on a had come sooner. It’s going to into feature writing going? time, as a director, for the culture prefer to keep things private? whim. Now she’s the go-to video be so impactful to a generation I’m excited. I’m doing a feature, — the fact that he even wanted to I guess because it’s private. person. TT the Artist is someone of people. an adaptation of an Italian film partner with us was really amaz- Whose business is it? I realized I else who’s a multihyphenate, in a called Perfect Strangers. It’s set ing. We’ve hit each other on the just don’t like to be the subject of way where she started off making Do you know her? at a dinner party with friends DM and we’re really super excited. conversations if it doesn’t have music and made a documentary Yeah. I knew her from when she where they decide to read all the to do with my work. I’ve always [that] was supposed to be at was doing Chewing Gum. I knew messages that come in on their So during this shutdown been like that, where I’d be dating South by Southwest. You know this show was coming because we phones. That’s a game that I craziness, what have you someone and my friends would how we have crumping here? have the same exec at HBO. She would 100 percent play. There’s learned about yourself? find out six months later. Like, There’s a different form of dance told me about it, about how this something about the cultural I’ve learned that I obviously, like “Bitch, what the fuck? Why don’t in Baltimore where people are was her story. I was like, “We’re specificity of it that I wanted to so many people, value touch. I we know this?” So it’s just always dancing their pain away, in spite an HBO comedy. So she’s going bring to a movie. It’s been remade value social interactions. I also been that I want to vet situations of their circumstances. She made to make this a comedy, like this in different countries, like in realize I don’t work as hard as for myself. I really value that part the most beautiful documentary terrible experience where she South Korea. I just felt I could I need to, to preserve certain of my life a lot. [Dark City Beneath the Beat] I’ve got roofied and raped?” The fact bring my own spin. relationships in my life. I need to seen. Have you watched I May that it still manages to be darkly do better about that. That’s been a Who should Hollywood be Destroy You? comedic and also just flat-out Jordan Peele and Sinkhole: hard revelation for me. I feel like paying attention to talentwise? funny is just phenomenal. We Please tell me how this this has caused me to withdraw in Oh, so many people. There’s a Girl, obsessed. got to kick it in her Chewing Gum went down. a way that I’m not happy with. I’m writer named Tori Sampson So fucking good, but I was like, days and I’ve kept in touch. I get Shoutout to one of our execs who trying to reconcile that. who’s out of this fucking world. “Hollywood is paying attention.” to watch this as a massive fan. It found the short story. The prem- She’s a playwright. Writer Syreeta It’s amazing. It’s really disturb- makes you want to create more. “THERE IS SOMETHING TO JUST REALIZING YOUR WORTH ise is, basically, a couple moves I know some of your co-stars Singleton. Child is another ing. The conversations that have into a house that has a sinkhole. AND SEEING HOW LITTLE WHITE PEOPLE CARE ABOUT seemingly put you on blast about person, a director. Everything [been] sparked around it are just Interview edited for length When you drop things in it, ASKING FOR MORE THAN THEY’RE WORTH.” being engaged. When it comes she makes is beautiful and she so necessary. I almost wish it and clarity. HILLTOP: ED RUDOLPH. TEAMARRR: LEON BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES FOR BET. FOR IMAGES BENNETT/GETTY LEON TEAMARRR: RUDOLPH. ED HILLTOP:

58 THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 59 AUGUST 19, 2020