The actress and writer discussing the hilarious series about that chaotic appeal of today's youth lifestyle
Rachel Sennott joins the online meeting and immediately starts an explanation. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she exclaims, appearing really remorseful. Despite being only a bit delayed, she feels compelled to clarify. “I tend to talk too much during calls. “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Thankfully, in this context, that’s just what is ideal to hear. Additionally, it’s fairly expected. Those familiar with the unapologetically openly gay and brash film titled Bottoms—which she co-wrote with Emma Seligman and starred in alongside close companion the talented actress—would understand that she has a lot to say, ranging from about gender, intimacy, or the pros of starting a teen fight club. Furthermore, after watching her new seasonal show I Love LA, it is clear that she carries additional thoughts about the darker side of young adulthood (Now in her thirties, Sennott represents an honorary member to younger audiences, on the cusp skilled for connecting different age groups).
Inspirations and Storytelling Approach
The comparisons to Lena Dunham’s Girls can’t be avoided and Sennott readily acknowledges enthusiastic, referencing the show together with Sex and the City, Issa Rae’s show and Atlanta as guides for I Love LA, which tracks the travails of a social media star Tallulah and her friend who is also new talent manager portrayed by Sennott. Perhaps, the biggest presence on the moodboard belonged to Entourage, the HBO sitcom focusing on a rising Hollywood star making his way in a gritty entertainment industry (memorable line: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). Sennott began viewing it during COVID-19, became “obsessed”, and chose to put her own twist on it “targeting women and LGBTQ+ viewers”.
“I wanted to make a show where the internet, not Hollywood, was the industry, because my career started online,” she notes. The concept for the series came—to some extent—from her own, initially difficult, transition to LA and from the cosmic event, a frequently discussed event for astrology heads. That period marked a time that included her grasp significant life lessons, professionally and in private life. “During my younger years, I was chaotic, often breaking down in public,” she admits. “In my mid-20s, I moved to LA and got settled. And then I felt like everything started to just fall apart. “It resembled a series of extreme challenges…”
Humble Origins
Brought up in the East Coast, the star commenced writing and performing comedy while pursuing theatre at a prestigious arts school. “Despite trying every conventional route, I couldn’t find my footing,” she says. “Every campus humor group turned me down after tryouts.” “None of the university plays cast me either.” And I just felt like, what am I doing here?”
Sennott decided to act independently, appearing at amateur nights with her friend and posting hysterical (and distinctly) weird skits online. A particular video, titled Baby Cult, depicted several females obsessively fixated on having babies; another imagined working at a trendy retail outlet as like being trapped in a horror film. By chance, she met Emma through NYU’s movie community and eventually appearing in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a tense dramedy set at a funeral gathering with shades of the Safdie brothers’ movie. The big theme of her career, she notes, has been people her own age giving her a shot, as opposed to the industry at large. Does that mean bypassing the usual powers? “Definitely not them”, she confirms, stating humorously: “They prefer we don’t succeed.”
Manifesting Dreams
Anyone who had doubts regarding Sennott previously will certainly be feeling foolish now. As part of she labels a “incredibly circular” development, she appears to created her dream vehicle. In 2019 she shared a clip titled “it’s LA” on the internet, in which she lampooned movie previews (“Everyone’s hooked on something”). Six years on, she’s the co-showrunner (with the co-writer) of a series about city dwellers managing advantages of digital stardom (such as celebrating at a famous actor’s house) with drawbacks (your friend being labeled as being a intoxicated thief, and potentially becoming a unreliable outcast). Some could simple to make a program about internet celebrity that was extremely glamorous—or, even less favorable, one that belittled at those depicted. This show does neither, making for a representation of affluent young adult life that’s candid about the chaos and the shine.
Balanced Perspective
“Numerous series present younger generations and digital culture in a derogatory manner,” she says. “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