Rachel Sennott enters the digital interview and immediately launches into an explanation. “Apologies for the delay!” she exclaims, appearing really regretful. Despite being only a bit delayed, she wants to justify. “I have such a problem, because I’m a yapper on the phone. “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Luckily, for a writer, that’s precisely what you want to hear. Moreover, it’s quite unsurprising. Those familiar with her boldly queer and outspoken film titled Bottoms—which Sennott collaborated on with her creative partner and appeared in alongside collaborator The Bear’s standout—will already know that she possesses plenty to discuss, whether about gender, relationships, or the merits of forming a youth brawl society. Plus, by the end the new seasonal HBO series titled I Love LA, it is clear that she holds additional insights on the darker side of young adulthood (Now in her thirties, Sennott is a bridge for this generation, on the cusp adept for straddling both generations).
Inspirations and Storytelling Approach
Parallels to the iconic series Girls naturally arise and the actress readily acknowledges enthusiastic, referencing the show together with the HBO hit, Insecure and the innovative program as inspirations for I Love LA, which tracks the journey of a social media star Tallulah and ally and new talent manager portrayed by Sennott. Perhaps, the most significant spot on the moodboard was reserved for the HBO series, that program about a rising A-list actor succeeding in a corrupt entertainment industry (memorable line: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). She started watching it throughout lockdown, became “hooked”, and decided to add a fresh perspective on it “for the girls and the gays”.
“I wanted to make a show where the internet, not Hollywood, was the industry, because my career started online,” she explains. The inspiration for I Love LA came—to some extent—from firsthand, originally fractious, move to LA and from the astrological phase, a frequently discussed event for enthusiasts. That period marked a phase that involved her understand significant life lessons, in her career and individually. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she says. “In my mid-20s, I moved to LA and got settled. And then I felt like everything started to just fall apart. It was almost like these biblical tests …”
Humble Origins
Raised in New England, the star began creating and acting stand-up while enrolled in theatre at a prestigious arts school. “I went through all the proper channels to try to perform, and they weren’t gelling,” she states. “I tried out for all the NYU comedy groups, and got rejected from all of them. I tried out for all the NYU plays and didn’t make it into any of them. “It left me questioning my purpose and place.”
She took matters into her own hands, performing at amateur nights with her friend and uploading hilarious (and decidedly) unconventional online content on the internet. One, Baby Cult, followed several females obsessively obsessed with motherhood; another imagined working at a trendy retail outlet as similar to being stuck in a horror film. Interestingly, she encountered Seligman through NYU’s movie community and ended up starring in her initial project, Shiva Baby, a stressful film set at a religious event with hints of Uncut Gems. The big theme of her path, she says, has been people her own age supporting her, as opposed to traditional networks. Does that mean bypassing the usual powers? “They were not involved”, she emphasizes, continuing humorously: “Our victory isn’t their goal.”
Rising Success
Individuals who had doubts regarding her previously will certainly be kicking themselves now. As part of she describes as a “wild, full-circle” turn of events, she seems to have manifested her dream vehicle. Previously she uploaded a clip titled about Los Angeles on social media, in which she lampooned film promos (“I’m addicted to drugs – we all are”). Six years on, she’s executive producer (with her partner) of a show about Angelenos juggling advantages of internet fame (such as partying at a celebrity’s house) with its pitfalls (your associate being suspected of being a intoxicated criminal, and possibly becoming a risky pariah). One might simple to make a series about online fame that was extremely idealized—or, more problematic, one that punched down at its subjects. The series steers clear of each, making for a portrait of privileged twentysomething life that’s frank about the chaos and the glamour.
Balanced Perspective
“Many programs portray youth and online life with disdain and mockery,” she comments. “I think that young people have been through a lot – I’m mostly thinking of people younger than me, like my little sister, who went to college during Covid, so she had to come home, or my other sister who was doing school online.”|“The younger generation has faced significant
