Issa Rae’s ‘Awkward Black Girl’ Turns 10
Can you believe Issa Rae ‘Awkward Black Girl’ is 10-years-old? The comedy hit YouTube on February 3, 2011 and won a Shorty Award for Best Web Series in 2012. The two-season show inspired Rae’s HBO series Insecure and inspired her 2015 book of the same name.
Insecure Comes to An End
Recently, Rae shared with fans that Insecure will end after its fifth season. She highlights the success of some female actresses who starred in the show. Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell, Tracy Oliver, and Amy Aniobi are several of the super talented actresses.
“As far as like ‘Awkward Black Girl’ and ‘Insecure’s’ impact in terms of launching other careers, I think that is to me the best part about both. I think to be able to create something that gave opportunities for other people and platforms for other people to launch and tell their own story is the best accomplishment.”
While fans are in their feels about one series ending, it simultaneously celebrates the anniversary of another.
“In the sense that it’s ending during this time when ‘Awkward Black Girl’ is on the tenth year, it does feel like a full circle moment. But it also feels like a next chapter for me. These are two pivotal things ending that are that sort of representative of who I am. They’re so much of my identity in some way
Has ‘Awkward Black Girl’ Changed Rae?
The established actress and producer has not changed much. Rae definitely stays true to herself. She comments on what success feels like.
“You never feel successful. You never feel like ‘I’m here. I made it.’ There were so many times that I was like, ‘Once I get money best believe I’m going to be stunting in all the fresh fashions all the time like you’re not going to be able to tell me nothing.’ Hollywood is such an illusion place and I was born and raised in L.A. When I moved away and came back, Hollywood just became something that felt so cool and unattainable. And then even being in it, I just felt like I didn’t belong, you know? It’s still taking me a while, 10 years later, to feel like, Ok…I have a place here,” she said.
Shoutout to Issa Rae for always being transparent about her experience. She inspires many creatives to use unique approaches to achieving their dreams.
