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Issa Rae
Issa Rae
Issa Rae
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Jo-Issa Rae Diop[1] (born January 12, 1985),[2] known professionally as Issa Rae, is an American actress, writer, and producer.[3][4] She achieved recognition as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the HBO comedy series Insecure (2016–2021), for which she was nominated for multiple Golden Globes Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards.[5][6]

Key Information

Rae first garnered attention for her work on the YouTube web series Awkward Black Girl (2011–2013).[7][8][9] Her 2015 memoir, titled The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, became a New York Times bestseller. Rae formed the production company Hoorae Media in 2020.

Rae has also featured in films, with roles in the drama The Hate U Give (2018); the fantasy comedy Little (2019); the romance The Photograph (2020); the romantic comedy The Lovebirds (2020); the comedy thriller Vengeance (2022); and the comedies Barbie and American Fiction (both 2023). She also had a voice role in the short film Hair Love (2019) and voiced Jess Drew / Spider-Woman in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).[10]

In 2018 and 2022, Rae was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world,[11][12] and in 2014 in the Forbes '30 Under 30' list in the entertainment section.[13] She was recognized with the Peabody Trailblazer Award and the Producers Guild of America Visionary Award.

Early life

[edit]

Jo-Issa Rae Diop was born in Los Angeles, California.[14] Her father, Abdoulaye Diop, is a pediatrician and neonatologist from Senegal, and her mother, Delyna Marie Diop (née Hayward), is a teacher from Louisiana.[3][15][16] Her parents met in France, when they were both in school.[17] She has four siblings. Her father has a medical practice in Inglewood, California.[18]: xiii 

The family lived in Dakar, Senegal,[1] during some of her childhood.[19] She was raised mostly in Potomac, Maryland, where she grew up with "things that aren't considered 'black,' like the swim team and street hockey and Passover dinners with Jewish best friends."[20] Rae was raised Catholic, her mother's faith.[21]

When Rae was in sixth grade, her family moved to the affluent View Park-Windsor Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, where she attended a predominantly black middle school. Rae graduated from King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science, where she started acting.[1] Her parents divorced when she was in high school.[18]: 100–102  Rae is fluent in French.[22]

In 2007, Rae graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies. As a college student, she made music videos, wrote and directed plays, and created a mock reality series called Dorm Diaries for fun. At Stanford, Rae met Tracy Oliver, who helped produce Awkward Black Girl and starred on the show as Nina.[20]

After college, Rae received a theater fellowship at The Public Theater in New York City.[1] Oliver and Rae started taking classes together at the New York Film Academy. Rae worked odd jobs and at one point was struggling to decide between business school and law school, but abandoned both prospects when Awkward Black Girl gained wider popularity in 2011.[15]

Career

[edit]

Awkward Black Girl

[edit]
Main article: Awkward Black Girl

Rae's web series Awkward Black Girl premiered on YouTube in 2011.[23] The show follows the life of J (played by Rae) as she interacts with co-workers and love interests who place her in uncomfortable situations. The story is told through a first-person narrative as J usually reveals how she feels about her circumstances through voice-over or dream sequence.

The series went viral through word of mouth, blog posts, and social media, resulting in mainstream media coverage and attention.[24][25][26] In an effort to fund the rest of the first season, Rae and producer Tracy Oliver decided to raise money for the series through Kickstarter. On August 11, 2011, they were awarded $56,269 from 1,960 donations and released the rest of season one on Rae's YouTube channel.[27]

Rae partnered with Pharrell and premiered season two of the series on his YouTube channel iamOTHER.[28] Rae began releasing other content on her original channel, predominantly created by and starring people of color.[29]

In 2013, Awkward Black Girl won a Shorty award for Best Web Show. Rae created Awkward Black Girl because she felt the Hollywood stereotypes of African-American women were limiting and she could not relate to them:

I've always had an issue with the [assumption] that people of color, and black people especially, aren't relatable. I know we are.[30]

By using YouTube as her forum, Rae was able to have autonomy of her work because she writes, films, produces, and edits most of her work. Rae's other shows—Ratchet Piece Theater, The "F" Word, Roomieloverfriends, and The Choir, among others—also focus on African-American experiences that are often not portrayed in the mainstream media.[31] Rae's YouTube series often imitate the production style of network television comedies, including "cut-away scenes" showing imagined behavior, similar to those seen in Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother.[32]

Insecure

[edit]
Main article: Insecure (TV series)

In 2013, Rae began working on a comedy series pilot with Larry Wilmore, in which she would star.[33] The series, about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman, was eventually titled Insecure. HBO picked up the pilot in early 2015 and it was subsequently greenlit.[34] Since its release in 2016, the series has received critical acclaim; Eric Deggans of NPR wrote that "Rae has produced a series that feels revolutionary just by poking fun at the life of an average, twenty-something black woman."[35]

In late 2016 Rae's mother, Delyna Diop, was featured in season 1, playing Rae's role model in her guest appearance.[36]

In 2017, the American Film Institute selected Insecure as one of the top 10 Television Programs of the Year.[37] For her acting work on the show, Rae has received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 2017 and 2018,[38] as well as three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

In 2018, at the 77th annual Peabody Awards, Insecure was honored for "creating a series that authentically captures the lives of everyday young, black people in modern society."[39]

On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed the show for a second season.[40] The second season premiered on July 23, 2017.[41] On August 8, 2017, it was announced that the show was renewed for a third season,[42] which premiered on August 12, 2018. Season five premiered October 24, 2021. The final episode of Insecure aired December 26, 2021.

Film work

[edit]

Released in 2020, The Photograph follows the journey of Issa's character, Mae Morton, and LaKeith Stanfield's character Michael Block, as the two search for the backstory of Mae's mother. The New York Times said the film is "an unabashedly old-school love story".[43] Empire magazine said that "The Photograph is an African-American romance that, for the most part, feels relatable and true".[44]

Released in 2020, The Lovebirds directed by Michael Showalter, Rae played the role of Leilani. The film also starred Kumail Nanjiani, who played Jibran, Leilani's boyfriend. Throughout the film, the couple struggles to maintain their relationship and during this, they face an eventful murder.

Book

[edit]

Rae's first book, a memoir titled The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, was released in 2015 and became a New York Times bestseller.[45] In the book, she chronicles her life through a series of humorous anecdotes and opens up about her personal struggle with not fitting in, and not being considered "black enough" at times.[16]

Other work

[edit]

In 2016, Rae created the podcast called Fruit.

On October 11, 2019, Google announced that Rae would be an additional voice to the Google Assistant. Users could make Google Assistant speak in Rae's voice by saying "Ok Google, talk like Issa."[46] Issa's voice was available until Friday, October 1, 2021.[47]

Also in 2019, Rae, through her newly launched record label Raedio, partnered with Atlantic Records to produce "Kinda Love" by singer-rapper TeaMarrr.[48]

In March 2021, Rae's production company, Hoorae, signed a five-year film and television deal with WarnerMedia.[49] In 2021, Sweet Life: Los Angeles, a reality television program created by Rae, was produced as part of this deal.[50]

Rae is a co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a Los Angeles-based independent coffee chain.[51]

Personal life

[edit]

Rae's birth name, Jo-Issa, comes from a combination of the names of her grandmothers: Joyce and Isseu. Her middle name, Rae, is after an aunt, who was an artist.[20]

Rae married her longtime boyfriend, Louis Diame, a Senegalese businessman, in a private ceremony in France in July 2021.[52] Rae first wore her engagement ring publicly on the cover of Essence magazine's April 2019 issue.[52]

She is part of an investor group that bought the SailGP U.S. squad in 2023.[53]

Public image and activism

[edit]

In 2012, Rae was included on the annual Forbes '30 Under 30' list in the entertainment section.[13] She was listed two times in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

In May 2015, Rae appeared on the cover of Essence magazine's Game Changers issue, alongside Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen, and Mara Brock Akil. Rae expressed her desire for more people of color working in production behind the scenes to make a lasting impact in the television industry.[54] On the red carpet at the 2017 Emmy Awards, Rae told reporters, "I'm rooting for everybody Black." The quote went viral and appeared on T-shirts and in the song "Sue Me" by the rapper Wale.[55] Rae was also vocally supportive of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.[56]

Rae is an advocate for civil rights and women's rights movements. Her work includes themes of equality and social justice. She works closely with organizations like the ACLU, BLD PWR, and Black Lives Matter.[57] Rae has used her platform to bring attention to police violence and brutality against African-Americans. Following the police shooting of Alton Sterling in 2016, she raised $700,000 for the Sterling Family Trust to help pay for the Sterling children to attend college.[58] Also in 2020, Rae told The Hollywood Reporter about how she and her staff wanted to support initiatives within organizations like Black Lives Matter and BLD PWR in order to hold the police accountable and to defund the police following the perceived rise of police brutality. Rae also spoke of supporting these initiatives in hopes to also aid protesters working against the violence and brutality.[59]

Her show Insecure has changed the public perception of the South Los Angeles community by highlighting Black businesses.[60]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Rae (second from left) discusses Little with co-stars Regina Hall and Marsai Martin and director Tina Gordon
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Black Twitter Screening — Short film; writer only
Protect and Serve Police Recruit Short film; also executive producer
A Bitter Lime Jane Johnson
2018 The Hate U Give April Ofrah
2019 Little April Williams
Hair Love Mother Short film; voice role
2020 The Photograph Mae Morton Also executive producer
The Lovebirds Leilani
Coastal Elites Callie Josephson
2022 Vengeance Eloise
2023 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Jess Drew / Spider-Woman Voice role
Barbie President Barbie
American Fiction Sintara Golden
2027 Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse † Jess Drew / Spider-Woman Voice role; In production
Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2012–2013 The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl J Main cast; also creator; director and writer for episode: "The Sleepover"; producer for episode: "The Check"
2012 The Couple Lisa Episode: "Exes and Texts"
2012–2013 The Number Lisa 6 episodes
2013 True Friendship Society Mama Moth Episode: "Pilot Part Two"
My Roommate the J Episode: "Awkward Black Girl"
Instacurity Issa Episodes: "The Birthday Party" and "Instacurity PSA"
Little Horribles Best Friend Episode: "Sexual Activity"; also executive producer (3 episodes)
2014 Rubberhead Bride 2 Television film; segment: "Absorption"
2016–2021 Insecure Issa Dee Main cast; also creator & writer
2018 BoJack Horseman Dr. Indira (voice) 2 episodes
2019–2021 A Black Lady Sketch Show Various 6 episodes; also executive producer (16 episodes)
2020 Saturday Night Live Herself (host) Episode: "Issa Rae/Justin Bieber"
Sesame Street The Queen/The Princess Episode: "Cardboard Castle"
BlackAF Herself Episode: "yo, between you and me... this is because of slavery"
2022 Roar[61] Wanda Shepard Episode: "The Woman Who Disappeared"
The Hair Tales Herself
2023 Young Love Angela Love (voice) TV Series; 24 Episodes
2025 No Taste Like Home with Antoni Porowski Herself Episode: "Issa Rae's Senegalese Royal Roots"
Black Mirror Brandy Episode: "Hotel Reverie"
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television Herself Also executive producer

As producer only

[edit]
Year Title Credits Notes
2013 How Men Become Dogs Executive producer 9 episodes
Little Horribles 3 episodes
Inside Web Series Television documentary
Black Actress Producer
2013–2014 Roomieloverfriends Executive producer 4 episodes
2013–2015 The Choir Executive producer; director (2 episodes); writer (12 episodes)
2014 Hard Times Executive producer Short film
So Jaded Television film
Words with Girls
Bleach
2014–2015 First Co-executive producer (10 episodes); co-producer (1 episode)
2015 Get Your Life Executive producer
Killing Lazarus Producer
2022 Sweet Life: Los Angeles Creator and executive producer
Rap Sh!t[62] Creator, executive producer and writer
2025 One of Them Days Producer

Music videos

[edit]
Year Song Artist Role
2013 "Happy" Pharrell Williams Dancer
2017 "Moonlight" Jay-Z Rachel Green
"Spice Girl" Aminé Girlfriend
2018 "Nice for What" Drake Herself
2019 "Kinda Love" TeaMarrr Therapist
2020 "Lights On" D Smoke, SiR Stripper
"Entrepreneur" Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z Herself

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Award Year Work Category Result Ref.
Astra Film and Creative Awards 2024 Barbie Best Cast Ensemble Nominated [63]
Austin Film Critics Association 2023 Barbie Best Ensemble Nominated [64]
BET Awards 2017 Insecure Best Actress Nominated [65]
2018 Nominated [66]
2020 Won [67]
2021 Nominated [68]
2022 Nominated [69]
Black Film Critics Circle 2023 American Fiction Best Ensemble Won [70]
Black Reel Awards 2017 Insecure Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won
2018 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated
2019 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
2020 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won [71]
Outstanding Comedy Series Won
A Black Lady Sketch Show Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Columbus Film Critics Association 2024 Barbie Best Ensemble Nominated [72]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2024 Barbie Best Acting Ensemble Nominated [73]
Critics' Choice Television Awards 2019 Insecure Best Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [74]
2021 Nominated [75]
2022 Nominated [76]
Florida Film Critics Circle 2023 Barbie Best Ensemble Nominated [77]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards 2024 American Fiction Best Ensemble Nominated [78][79]
Barbie Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2017 Insecure Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Nominated [80]
2018 Nominated [81]
2022 Nominated [82]
Gotham Awards 2020 Rap Sh!t Breakthrough Series - Shortform Nominated [83]
Gracie Awards 2018 Insecure Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy or Musical Won
Houston Film Critics Society 2023 Barbie Best Ensemble Cast Nominated [84][85]
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2017 Insecure Next Generation Nominated [86]
2018 Best Performance in a Show Nominated [87]
2021 Best Comedic Performance Nominated [88]
NAACP Image Awards 2017 Insecure Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [89]
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
2018 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [90]
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
Herself Entertainer of the Year Nominated
2019 Insecure Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [91]
BoJack Horseman Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film) Nominated
2021 The Photograph Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated [92]
Saturday Night Live Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series Nominated
Insecure Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Nominated
2022 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Won [93]
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series Won
2024 American Fiction Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated [94]
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture Won
Young Love Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) Nominated
NAMIC Vision Awards 2017 Insecure Best Performance - Comedy Won
2021 Won
2022 Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association 2024 Barbie Best Acting Ensemble Nominated [95]
Peabody Award 2022 Herself Trailblazer Award Won [96]
People's Choice Awards 2020 The Lovebirds Female Movie Star of the Year Nominated [97]
Comedy Movie Star of the Year Nominated
The Photograph Drama Movie Star of the Year Nominated
Insecure Comedy TV Star of the Year Nominated
Portland Critics Association 2024 Barbie Best Ensemble Cast Nominated [98][99]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2018 Insecure Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [100]
2020 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [101][102]
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated
A Black Lady Sketch Show Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Nominated
2021 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated [103]
2022 Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Nominated [104]
Insecure Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards 2022 Herself Visionary Award Won [105]
San Diego Film Critics Society 2023 Barbie Best Ensemble Runner-up [106]
Satellite Awards 2018 Insecure Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Won [107]
2019 Nominated [108]
2021 Nominated [109]
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2024 American Fiction Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated [110]
Barbie Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 2024 Barbie Best Ensemble Cast Nominated [111]
St. Louis Film Critics Association 2023 Barbie Best Ensemble Runner-up [112]
Streamy Awards 2018 Giants Best Drama Series Won [113]
TCA Awards 2017 Insecure Individual Achievement in Comedy Nominated [114]
2020 Nominated [115]
Utah Film Critics Association 2024 Barbie Best Ensemble Cast Nominated [116]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2023 American Fiction Best Ensemble Nominated [117]
Barbie Nominated
Webby Awards 2019 Herself Video Person of the Year Won [118]

Works and publications

[edit]
  • Rae, Issa (2015). The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. New York, NY: 37 Ink/Atria – Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781476749051. OCLC 901338241.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Issa Rae

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Jo-Issa Rae Diop (born January 12, 1985), known professionally as Issa Rae, is an American , , , and .
Rae first gained widespread recognition for creating, writing, and starring in the YouTube web series (2011–2013), which she self-produced and which earned a Shorty Award for Best Web Show.
This success led to her development of the series Insecure (2016–2021), where she served as creator, executive producer, co-writer, and lead portraying Issa Dee, earning her three Golden Globe nominations, three Emmy nominations, and multiple for outstanding and writing in a series.
Through her production company , Rae has executive produced films such as The Photograph (2020) and (2018), and voiced a character in the Award-winning animated short Hair Love (2019).
Rae received the Peabody Trailblazer Award in 2023 for her contributions to entertainment, particularly in amplifying diverse voices through independent digital content creation.
While her work has been praised for its authentic depiction of young Black professional life, it has occasionally faced criticism from audiences over narrative choices, such as the series finale of Insecure, though no major legal or ethical controversies have significantly defined her career.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Jo-Issa Rae Diop was born on January 12, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, to Abdoulaye Diop, a pediatrician and neonatologist originally from Senegal, and Delyna Hayward Diop, an African-American educator from Louisiana. Her parents met while studying in France. Rae is one of five children, including four siblings such as brothers Amadou and Lamine. The family lived briefly in Dakar, Senegal, during Rae's early childhood before relocating to the greater Los Angeles area, where her father established a medical practice in Inglewood. This peripatetic upbringing, combining Senegalese heritage with American environments, contributed to Rae's sense of cultural dislocation; she has recounted feeling like an outsider among Black American peers due to her biracial and bicultural identity. Her father's successful medical career afforded the family relative affluence, including residence in upscale communities like , at times, which further distanced her from typical urban Black cultural experiences she later explored in her work.

Formal education and early influences

Rae attended King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in , a school focused on medical training with a predominantly and Latino student body. Initially aspiring to a medical career like her physician father, she participated in acting activities there, marking her early entry into performance. An emergency room visit during this period, however, convinced her that medicine was not her calling, redirecting her interests toward creative pursuits. She enrolled at , where she majored in African and African American Studies with a minor in , graduating with a degree in 2007. The transition to Stanford represented a significant for Rae, shifting from her high school's demographic to a more diverse campus environment that nonetheless challenged her sense of belonging. Alongside her coursework, she took theater classes and founded the Blackstage Theater group, producing short films that honed her skills in writing and directing. Key influences during her formal education included professors in African American studies and drama, who recognized her talents and affirmed that she could build a career in and writing rather than defaulting to more conventional paths. Her major's emphasis on fostered early self-awareness that informed her artistic voice, emphasizing authentic representations drawn from personal and communal experiences. These academic and extracurricular engagements at Stanford laid the groundwork for her later independent content creation, bridging her educational background with emerging creative ambitions.

Career trajectory

Web series origins and Awkward Black Girl

Issa Rae initiated her independent content creation in the early 2010s, leveraging to produce original material after facing challenges securing roles that aligned with her vision of nuanced black female characters. Recognizing the scarcity of authentic representations in , she self-financed and directed her initial projects, emphasizing everyday awkwardness and interpersonal dynamics over stereotypical narratives. This approach stemmed from her determination to control her creative output, bypassing gatekeepers in Hollywood who often prioritized formulaic portrayals. The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl (ABG), Rae's breakthrough web series, premiered on February 3, 2011, via a dedicated YouTube channel, with the debut episode "The Stop Sign" introducing protagonist J, an introverted young black woman navigating mundane social discomforts like traffic encounters. Rae wrote, produced, directed, and starred as J, handling much of the production on a shoestring budget with a small crew, resulting in episodes typically 5 to 10 minutes long that captured unpolished, relatable scenarios in office, dating, and friendship contexts. The series comprised two seasons, totaling around 16 episodes, focusing on J's internal monologues and failed attempts at assertiveness, which resonated through sharp, self-deprecating humor drawn from Rae's observations of cultural mismatches. To expand production beyond initial self-funding, Rae launched a campaign in 2011 seeking $30,000, which exceeded goals rapidly—raising over $3,300 in the first day alone—enabling higher-quality episodes and broader distribution. The series quickly amassed viewership through organic sharing, with the premiere episode surpassing 240,000 views by September 2011, signaling early viral potential among audiences underserved by network television. Reception highlighted ABG's role in pioneering for creators, earning praise for its authentic depiction of non-archetypal experiences and influencing subsequent independent web productions. Critics noted the writing's specificity in parsing daily awkwardness, despite modest production values, which prioritized narrative candor over polish. The series' success propelled Rae into wider recognition, including features in outlets like and talks at venues such as , establishing it as a template for creator-driven that later informed her series Insecure.

Breakthrough with Insecure

Insecure, Rae's semi-autobiographical HBO comedy series loosely inspired by her web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, represented her entry into premium following the online success of her earlier work. The series, which Rae co-created, co-wrote, executive produced, and starred in as Issa Dee—a 29-year-old Black woman navigating career stagnation, relationships, and friendships in —premiered online via and on September 23, 2016, with its television debut on October 9, 2016. The pilot episode attracted approximately 1.1 million viewers, contributing to season one averages exceeding 500,000 viewers per episode despite later seasons seeing declines to around 250,000–400,000. The show ran for five seasons through December 2021, earning widespread critical praise for its authentic depiction of millennial life, with a 97% approval rating on across seasons. Rae received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series (2017, 2018, 2020, 2022), among 14 total nominations for the series, including wins for technical categories like single-camera picture editing. Critics highlighted Rae's milestone as the first woman to create, executive produce, write, and star in a premium cable series, crediting Insecure with elevating her from independent web creator to established television figure. Insecure's success facilitated Rae's subsequent opportunities in film and producing, solidifying her influence in Hollywood by demonstrating viability for creator-led narratives centered on everyday experiences without reliance on . The series' focus on relational complexities and professional insecurities resonated with audiences, amassing an 8.1/10 user rating from over 24,000 reviews, though viewership metrics underscored HBO's niche premium model rather than mass broadcast appeal.

Expansion into film and television acting

Issa Rae transitioned from her lead role in the HBO series Insecure (2016–2021) to feature films with a supporting part as Frasier in the drama The Hate U Give, released on October 5, 2018, which addressed themes of racial injustice based on Angie Thomas's novel. In 2019, she played April Williams, a pragmatic executive assistant, in the body-swap comedy Little, directed by Tina Gordon and released on April 12, marking one of her early prominent film supporting roles alongside leads Marsai Martin and Regina Hall. Rae took on co-lead roles in romantic comedies during 2020, starring as Leilani in The Lovebirds opposite , a film released on May 12 about a couple entangled in a crime, and as Mae, a museum curator, in The Photograph, directed by Stella Meghie and released on February 14, exploring intergenerational romance. These projects demonstrated her versatility in lighter genres while Insecure was still airing. In television, she contributed sketches and appeared as a performer in on from 2019 to 2023, expanding her presence beyond origins. Subsequent films included a role as Eloise in the thriller-comedy Vengeance, released July 29, 2022, directed by , and voice work as a spider character in the animated , released June 2, 2023. In 2023, Rae portrayed Emerald in American Fiction, a satirical drama released December 15 about a frustrated author's publishing experiences, and had a supporting role as President Barbie in Greta Gerwig's , released July 21, which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide. On television, she guest-starred in the Black Mirror Season 7 episode "Hotel Reverie," released April 2025. Rae's film roles have often featured her in ensemble casts or as co-leads, with upcoming projects including the lead in the comedy-thriller Good People, Bad Things, announced in 2025, where she plays an overwhelmed woman navigating chaos. This phase reflects a broadening from scripted television leads to diverse cinematic formats, including and high-profile blockbusters, while maintaining selective television appearances.

Producing and media production ventures

Issa Rae established Issa Rae Productions in 2016 to oversee her growing slate of content, building on the independent production model from her The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. The company executive produced the comedy series Insecure (2016–2021), a project Rae co-created, co-wrote, and starred in, which ran for five seasons and earned multiple Emmy nominations for its portrayal of millennial Black experiences in . In September 2020, Rae rebranded and expanded her operations under Hoorae Media, an umbrella entity consolidating film, television, digital, and ancillary ventures including the music label Raedio (launched in 2019) and talent management agency ColorCreative, aimed at amplifying underrepresented creators. Hoorae Film & TV executive produced HBO Max's Rap Sh!t (2022–2024), a series Rae created about female rappers in Miami, which concluded after two seasons. The company also backed A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019–2023) as executive producer, contributing to its four seasons of sketch comedy focused on Black women. Hoorae's film efforts include executive producing the The Lovebirds (2020), starring Rae alongside . In February 2024, Hoorae formed a production partnership with Velvet Hammer Media to develop unscripted programming, targeting formats like reality series to diversify its portfolio. These ventures reflect Rae's strategy to control creative output across media, prioritizing narratives from Black and diverse perspectives through owned infrastructure rather than relying solely on studio pipelines.

Business and entrepreneurial expansions

In 2023, Rae launched Viarae, a brand developed in partnership with , marking her entry into the beverage industry with a focus on accessible . The brand emphasizes quality ingredients and broad appeal, positioning itself as a product rather than a celebrity endorsement vehicle. Rae co-founded Sienna Naturals, a clean brand targeting textured hair needs, with entrepreneur Hannah Diop; the company achieved nationwide expansion into stores in February 2025, following product development centered on efficacy and accessibility for types. This venture reflects Rae's strategy of addressing underserved markets through direct consumer products, with the rollout described by Rae as a for scaling impact. In May 2024, Rae self-funded and launched , a platform connecting brands with Black and brown creators for and campaigns, aiming to bridge gaps in diverse representation within the . operates independently of her media entities, focusing on services to facilitate paid opportunities and long-term partnerships. Rae has pursued targeted investments in local small businesses, particularly in , through personal and venture-aligned efforts, prioritizing community-driven enterprises over high-profile tech startups to foster economic resilience in underrepresented areas. These investments, often in , retail, and service sectors, stem from a deliberate approach to "going local" for sustainable returns and social outcomes, as articulated by Rae in interviews. Under , Rae's umbrella established in 2020, entrepreneurial arms have included expansions like the June 2025 strategic partnership for ColorCreative, enabling global scaling of talent management for diverse creators via investment from HarbourView Equity Partners. This deal doubled ColorCreative's revenue and supported international outreach, building on its 2014 founding as a for underrepresented talent.

Literary and other creative works

Memoir and essay collections

Issa Rae published her debut book, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, on February 10, 2015, through 37 Ink, an imprint of . The work consists of a series of autobiographical essays that humorously recount Rae's personal experiences with social awkwardness, interracial dynamics, workplace challenges, issues, and cultural expectations as a Black woman in America. Essays such as "Halfrican" explore her biracial identity and family influences, while others address introversion in extroverted social norms and encounters with stereotypes. The book draws from themes in her of the same name, emphasizing self-deprecating anecdotes over linear narrative, positioning it as a blend of and comedic reflection rather than a strict . In 2025, Rae released I Should Be Smarter By Now, a follow-up collection of six essays published by Amazon Publishing. This volume focuses on her professional maturation in Hollywood, detailing impulsive career decisions, high-stakes risks like producing ventures, negotiation setbacks, and triumphs amid industry biases. Rae reflects on evolving from early uncertainties to strategic assertiveness, including candid accounts of rejection and adaptation in entertainment. The essays maintain her signature authenticity, critiquing systemic hurdles without overt politicization, and serve as a professional memoir extension rather than personal introspection. Both collections underscore Rae's essayistic style, prioritizing relatable vulnerability and observational humor over polemics.

Additional media contributions

Issa Rae has expanded her media presence through in animated projects, providing roles that leverage her comedic timing and character depth. In the 2019 Academy Award-winning Hair Love, directed by , Rae voiced Angela Young, a mother navigating family dynamics and natural hair discussions with her daughter. She reprised this role as a series regular in the 2023 HBO Max animated series Young Love, a spinoff adaptation produced by and exec-produced by Rae alongside Cherry and , where Angela is depicted as a driven professional balancing career and relationships. Rae also lent her voice to superhero animation, portraying Jessica Drew / in the 2023 film , directed by , , and Justin K. Thompson. In this role, she embodied a multiverse variant of the character as a confident, motorcycle-riding mother figure mentoring , contributing to the film's ensemble cast that grossed over $690 million worldwide. Rae is set to reprise the voice in the forthcoming sequel Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, scheduled for 2027 release, as confirmed by production announcements in mid-2025. Additional voice work includes a guest appearance as Dr. Indira, a therapist, in the series during its later seasons, where she delivered nuanced performances amid the show's exploration of and Hollywood . These contributions highlight Rae's versatility in , distinct from her live-action work, allowing her to engage broader audiences through family-oriented and blockbuster formats.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Issa Rae married Louis Diame, a Senegalese-American businessman, on July 25, 2021, during an intimate ceremony in , . The event featured Rae in a custom Haute gown and was attended by a small group of family and friends, reflecting the couple's emphasis on privacy. Rae announced the marriage via on July 26, 2021, sharing select photos but limiting further details. Diame, whom Rae began dating several years prior to their , maintains a low public profile with business interests that include and other ventures, though specifics are not widely disclosed. The couple has prioritized discretion in their relationship, with Rae stating in a 2025 interview that she appreciates having "a piece of me that no one knows about or no one can talk about." Rae was born Jo-Issa Rae Diop on January 12, 1985, to Abdoulaye Diop, a Senegalese pediatrician, and Delyna Hayward Diop, a former educator originally from . She grew up with five siblings in after her family relocated from during her childhood, and she continues to share family moments, such as a 2024 vacation with her mother and siblings. As of October 2025, Rae and Diame have no publicly confirmed children. Rae has voiced concerns about potentially disrupting her professional momentum, describing it as a source of in a 2023 interview, and indicated in early 2025 that she is "not pressed" to start a . She previously refuted unfounded rumors in 2022, emphasizing her reluctance to address personal speculations.

Health, fitness, and lifestyle choices

Issa Rae maintains a daily exercise routine consisting of approximately one hour of outdoor activity, primarily walking and in her hilly neighborhood, which she begins around 4:55 a.m. She has expressed reluctance toward , describing it as monotonous, yet acknowledges its cardiovascular benefits and has progressively incorporated running, reporting derived joy from the activity as part of her wellness evolution. This regimen contributed to her following a period of gain attributed to professional success and altered eating habits, with Rae noting motivation from viewing her on-screen appearance. Rae follows a paleo-leaning diet, emphasizing whole foods while allowing flexibility after 15 years as a vegetarian, which she credits alongside exercise for sustainable and improved physical form. She prioritizes in her lifestyle, partnering with activewear brands to promote reflective wellness practices amid a demanding , and advocates slowing down to foster self-permission for rest. Rae has critiqued certain viral fitness trends observed on platforms like , favoring practical, consistent habits over fleeting fads. No public records indicate tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, or chronic health conditions; her choices reflect intentional shifts toward discipline in response to career demands rather than prescriptive ideals.

Public positions and activism

Advocacy for representation in entertainment


Issa Rae initiated her advocacy for greater representation of Black women in entertainment through her self-produced web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, launched in 2011 on YouTube, which depicted the everyday experiences of a socially awkward Black female protagonist in ways rarely shown in mainstream media. This series, which garnered over 20 million views by 2013, highlighted nuances of Black womanhood and led to her HBO deal for Insecure in 2016, where Rae emphasized authentic portrayals over racial struggle narratives. Through her production company Hoorae, founded in 2016, Rae has prioritized developing content centered on underrepresented voices, particularly Black creators and stories, extending beyond casting to influence industry practices. Hoorae has produced projects like the series Rap Sh!t (2022–2023) and participated in industry panels advocating for diverse narratives, with Rae stating in 2022 that personal fear of exclusion drove her to amplify such voices. Rae has publicly critiqued Hollywood's retreat from diversity commitments following the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, noting in February the cancellation of multiple Black-led shows like Rap Sh!t after two seasons and the dismissal of diversity executives, which she described as a to prioritize Black audiences. In March 2025 at SXSW, she argued that "diversity needs a better " amid anti-DEI rollbacks, positioning it as essential for leveling the playing field rather than a mere trend. Rae also executive produced the 2025 documentary Seen & Heard: A Documentary on Black TV, which chronicles the history of television and holds studios accountable for recent reductions in such programming.

Political engagements and stances

Issa Rae has publicly aligned with progressive causes emphasizing racial justice and Black empowerment. In October 2020, during a sketch amid the U.S. presidential election, Rae's character declared support for "everybody Black" as candidates, explicitly excluding in the race involving and . This reflected a broader prioritization of racial solidarity in voting preferences over other ideological factors. Rae has advocated for reallocating police funding, endorsing groups such as , regional bail funds, Defund the LAPD, and BLD in the wake of 2020 protests. In July 2019, she provided an endorsement for Gossett, a Stanford acquaintance running in a Democratic primary, highlighting shared ties and alignment on local issues. Following Donald Trump's 2024 election win and his appointment as chairman of the Center for the Performing Arts, Rae canceled a sold-out event titled "An Evening with Issa Rae" scheduled for February 2025, citing an "infringement" on her artistic values due to the venue's new leadership. In January 2025, she spoke at a gathering of disheartened by the election outcome, stressing mutual care within the community: "Nobody gives a (expletive) about like we give about each other." Rae has occasionally addressed Republican figures directly; in June 2020, after Trump liked a social media post praising her series Insecure, she responded with bemusement but no endorsement, maintaining distance from his administration. Her engagements consistently frame political participation through lenses of and institutional critique, without documented support for conservative policies or candidates.

Associated controversies and critiques

Issa Rae faced significant online backlash following her September 17, 2017, acceptance speech, where she stated, "All love and hip-hop to the Black community," and elaborated in interviews that she was "rooting for everybody Black." Critics on platforms like accused her of promoting racial exclusion or reverse , with some arguing it contradicted broader calls against marginalization based on skin color. Supporters countered that the remark reflected within underrepresented groups, distinct from majority-group equivalents due to historical power dynamics, though Rae herself did not directly address the racial framing in subsequent comments. In 2015 comments resurfaced in 2018, Rae suggested educated consider and procreating with Asian men to address perceived demographic imbalances in partner availability, drawing accusations of or stereotyping interracial pairings. The remarks, originally from a discussion on women's relationship challenges, were criticized for reducing complex social patterns to prescriptive advice without empirical backing on or compatibility outcomes, though Rae framed it as pragmatic observation rather than endorsement. amplified the controversy, with detractors highlighting potential reinforcement of intra-community biases, while defenders viewed it as candid exploration of real-world data showing lower rates for college-educated . Rae's portrayal of middle-class Black experiences in projects like Insecure has prompted critiques that she misrepresents or dilutes authentic "Black stories" by drawing from her own affluent upbringing in , where her father was a physician and her mother . Detractors, often in online forums, argue this socioeconomic lens overlooks socioeconomic hardships central to many Black narratives, accusing her of cultural gatekeeping despite her emphasis on diverse representation. Such criticisms gained traction in 2025 amid discussions of her film One of Them Days, where debates centered on who qualifies to depict Black life without direct experience of or systemic barriers. Her acting in the April 2025 Black Mirror episode "Hotel Reverie" drew widespread viewer complaints for lacking depth, with many asserting she reprises her Insecure persona without adaptation, undermining the anthology's typical range. threads and analyses compared it unfavorably to roles like , questioning her versatility beyond comedic self-insertion and citing flat delivery in dramatic scenes. While some praised her presence, the backlash highlighted broader skepticism of celebrity-led prestige TV, where non-professional actors like Rae receive opportunities amid diversity pushes. A public feud with actress escalated in 2024-2025, stemming from Seales' ejection from an Issa Rae-hosted event by Rae's publicist, which Seales attributed to professional jealousy over a critical review. Seales further alleged Rae dismissed her concerns rudely, leading to severed ties, while Rae maintained distance from the incident. The dispute intersected with 2021 backlash over Insecure's use of the sorority logo, as Seales, who played a character affiliated with it, admitted not being a real member, prompting accusations of cultural misrepresentation. Rae responded by emphasizing creative license, but critics argued it eroded authenticity in Black Greek life depictions. In August 2025, screenwriters Tyrone Perry, Shon Oku, and Joshua Isaacson filed a against Rae's ColorCreative production company, , and others, alleging their unproduced script The Holding Company was appropriated for the series Holding without credit or compensation. The suit claims substantial similarities in plot, characters, and , seeking ; Rae's team has not publicly commented, but the case underscores risks in development pipelines reliant on unsolicited submissions. Legal outcomes remain pending as of October 2025.

Reception and legacy

Professional accolades and achievements

Issa Rae has garnered 68 award nominations and 18 wins across various television, film, and digital media categories, primarily for her creation, writing, and performance in the series Insecure. For Insecure, she received five Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series from 2017 to 2021, though she did not win in that category. The series itself earned a in 2017 for its innovative portrayal of Black women's experiences, recognizing Rae's contributions as co-creator and star. Rae was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Insecure in 2018, 2019, and 2022, highlighting her critical acclaim in comedic roles without securing a win. She won a BET Award for in 2020 for her work on the series, one of several BET nominations she has received annually. Additional wins include a Gracie Award in 2018 for Insecure, acknowledging outstanding achievement by . Beyond acting accolades, Rae has been honored for her entrepreneurial impact in entertainment. In 2014, named her to its 30 Under 30 list in Hollywood & for pioneering the web series , which amassed millions of views and launched her career. She received the Visionary Award for her production work through , and a Shorty Award for Best tied to her early digital content. These recognitions underscore her role in advancing independent content creation, though critics note that her influence stems more from cultural resonance than box-office dominance in theatrical releases.

Critical assessments and cultural influence

Issa Rae's work, particularly the HBO series Insecure (2016–2021), has received mixed critical assessments, with praise centered on its authentic portrayal of Black professional women's experiences amid career stagnation and romantic entanglements. Reviewers commended the show's evolution in character arcs, such as Issa's journey from self-sabotage to tentative growth, as evidenced in its final season analysis by Variety, which highlighted Rae's ability to depict maturation without forced resolution. Similarly, The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the series' stylistic humor and its realistic depiction of platonic bonds, particularly between Issa and Molly, as a standout element distinguishing it from formulaic narratives. However, detractors, including viewer forums, have faulted Rae's performances for insufficient emotional range and timing, describing her delivery in non-comedic roles—like her 2025 Black Mirror episode—as mechanical and lacking heft, potentially amplifying perceptions of typecasting. Criticism has also targeted specific content choices, such as the 2021 controversy over Insecure's use of the sorority logo on a character unaffiliated with the organization, which drew backlash for cultural insensitivity and prompted Rae to defend the creative intent amid accusations of inauthenticity. Online discourse, including on platforms like and Lipstick Alley, has labeled episodes as pretentious or exaggerated in depicting millennial struggles, with some attributing low viewership—reportedly under 1 million per episode in later seasons—to repetitive plotting and unlikable protagonists, questioning the show's broader appeal despite its five-season run. Rae dismissed early critiques of her gender-fluid project Him or Her (announced 2018) as "absolutely ridiculous," arguing they overlooked exploratory storytelling, though such defenses have fueled debates on whether her oeuvre prioritizes niche introspection over universal resonance. Rae's cultural influence lies in pioneering accessible entry points for Black narratives, starting with her 2011 YouTube series Awkward Black Girl, which amassed viral traction and modeled self-produced content as a viable career ladder, inspiring subsequent creators to leverage digital platforms for mainstream breakthroughs. Her emphasis on unfiltered Black aesthetics—evident in Insecure's embrace of natural hairstyles and body diversity—challenged Hollywood norms, contributing to expanded visibility for dark-skinned leads and influencing beauty standards, as noted in analyses of her hairstyle variations across projects. Through Hoorae Media, Rae has amplified Black artists in music and film, curating spaces like Grammy Week events that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, while her 2025 documentary Seen & Heard documented cyclical underrepresentation in TV, attributing post-2010 resurgences to creator-driven pushes rather than institutional goodwill. Yet, this impact faces scrutiny for potential overattribution; some critiques, including in Black media outlets, argue that Rae's narrative of Hollywood "backsliding" on diversity overlooks market-driven cancellations of similar shows, suggesting her platform's reach, while notable, has not measurably stemmed industry-wide declines in Black-led programming viewership.

Debates over impact and overhype

Critics and observers have debated the extent of Issa Rae's cultural and industry impact, with some arguing that acclaim for her work, particularly Insecure, overstates its broader influence relative to empirical metrics like viewership. While Rae's series garnered critical praise and awards, its audience ratings on HBO declined steadily across seasons, averaging 551,300 viewers for Season 1 and dropping to 256,400 for Season 5, with the final season registering a mere 0.09 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 261,000 viewers—figures modest compared to contemporaneous HBO hits like Game of Thrones or even other prestige dramas. Online commentators, including on forums like Lipstick Alley, have labeled Insecure's viewership "abysmal" despite promotional hype, suggesting that Rae's elevation as a transformative figure may reflect selective media enthusiasm rather than mass appeal or sustained viewership growth. A recurring critique centers on the class-specific lens of Rae's portrayals, which some contend limits their representational impact on diverse experiences. Rae's projects, including Insecure and productions like One of Them Days, often depict educated, urban middle-class professionals navigating personal and professional awkwardness, drawing from her own suburban upbringing—a focus that has sparked on about authenticity and exclusion of working-class or "hood" narratives. Scholars and cultural analysts have noted that this middle-class orientation, while innovative in highlighting "awkward" , risks reinforcing intra-community divides by prioritizing relatable elite-adjacent stories over broader socioeconomic realities, potentially inflating perceptions of universal influence. Rae herself has pushed back against expectations of comprehensive representation, stating in interviews that she does not aim to embody all , yet detractors argue this admission underscores the hype's disconnect from wider experiential resonance. Proponents of Rae's significance counter that her bootstrapped rise via YouTube's —which amassed millions of views independently—demonstrates tangible influence in democratizing content creation for underrepresented voices, inspiring a generation of creators to bypass traditional gates. However, skeptics, including users and commentators, dismiss such narratives as overstated, pointing to Rae's privileged background and eight-figure deal as evidence of industry favoritism toward palatable, market-safe stories rather than revolutionary disruption. This tension highlights a broader causal dynamic: while Rae's output has empirically expanded middle-class visibility in prestige TV, its overhyped status may stem from institutional biases favoring narratives that align with progressive optics over measurable, cross-class cultural penetration.

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  113. https://thegrio.com/2025/04/10/issa-rae-one-of-them-days-and-the-ongoing-critique-of-black-art/
  114. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/issa-rae-one-them-days-152949354.html
  115. https://hot969boston.com/2025/04/17/issa-rae-black-mirror-role-faces-backlash-from-fans/
  116. https://www.reddit.com/r/blackmirror/comments/1k1ubh6/im_confused_about_some_of_the_criticism_towards/
  117. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNB_ngA-aW8
  118. https://www.theroot.com/now-we-finally-know-why-amanda-seales-stopped-talking-t-1851758407
  119. https://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/comments/1cdpf47/whats_going_on_with_amanda_seales_and_issa_ray/
  120. https://people.com/tv/issa-rae-reacts-to-criticism-of-insecure-use-of-alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-logo/
  121. https://www.instagram.com/p/DM_h8lZTaNn/?hl=en
  122. https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/issa-rae
  123. https://www.linkedin.com/in/issarae
  124. https://www.forbes.com/profile/issa-rae/
  125. https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/issa-rae-insecure-final-season-review-1235094777/
  126. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/critics-notebook-insecure-hbo-series-finale-issa-rae-1235067264/
  127. https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/issa-raes-insecure-viewership-is-abysmal.4748869/page-2
  128. https://deadline.com/2018/06/insecure-issa-rae-emmys-hbo-interview-news-1202415543/
  129. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/magazine/the-misadventures-of-issa-rae.html
  130. https://rollingout.com/2025/01/14/issa-rae-redefined-beauty-standards/
  131. https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/movies/issa-raes-seen-heard-examines-black-televisions-cultural-impact/article_aa6085fa-0e36-455e-aa4e-753892cf4277.html
  132. https://www.grammy.com/news/how-issa-rae-created-platform-black-music-grammy-week
  133. https://time.com/collection/closers/6564918/issa-rae-hollywoods-unkept-promises/
  134. https://www.ratingraph.com/tv-shows/insecure-ratings-57965/
  135. https://blackamericana.substack.com/p/the-issa-rae-discourse-is-deeper
  136. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=11868&context=etd
  137. https://www.reddit.com/r/InsecureHBO/comments/6ypn0i/insecure_issa_rae_stop_thinking_i_represent_all/
  138. https://hashtagpaid.com/banknotes/how-insecures-issa-rae-is-inspiring-a-generation-of-content-creators
  139. https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/mc5w3s/issa_rae_inks_eightfigure_film_and_television/
  140. https://x.com/lifeas_jayla/status/1921058856496439673
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