Rachel Sennott on her side-splitting series depicting the grotty allure of younger generation life

The performer appears on the digital interview and immediately starts an apology. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she states, appearing really regretful. Although she's only slightly delayed, she feels compelled to explain. “I have such a problem, because I’m a yapper on the phone. “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Fortunately, for a writer, that’s exactly what you want to experience. Additionally, it’s fairly expected. Viewers familiar with her fearlessly openly gay and brash project Bottoms—which Sennott penned with the director and starred in with collaborator Ayo Edebiri—would understand that Sennott holds plenty to share, whether about gender, sex, or the merits of starting a teen fight club. And, after watching her latest eight-part HBO series I Love LA, it becomes obvious that she has further insights on the struggles of modern youth (As a millennial, she represents a relatable figure to younger audiences, a tale-end millennial adept for straddling millennials and Gen Z).

Influences and Storytelling Approach

Parallels to Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking show naturally arise and the actress is an admirer, citing it in addition to Sex and the City, Insecure and the innovative program as influences for her series, which follows the journey of an influencer Tallulah and ally and new talent manager Maia. Perhaps, the most significant spot on concept went to the HBO series, that HBO sitcom focusing on a rising A-list actor navigating in a gritty Hollywood (memorable line: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). She began viewing it during the pandemic, became “obsessed”, and chose to add a fresh perspective 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 explains. The concept for I Love LA originated—partly—from firsthand, originally difficult, move to LA and from the astrological phase, a frequently discussed event for enthusiasts. That period marked an era that saw her learn significant insights, in her career and personally. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she recalls. “Settling in LA during my mid-twenties brought calm, but soon everything unraveled.” It was almost like these biblical tests …”

Starting Out

Raised in Connecticut, the star began creating and acting comedy while enrolled in performance at NYU’s Tisch. “Despite trying every conventional route, I couldn’t find my footing,” she states. “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?”

She decided to act independently, performing at live shows with Edebiri and sharing hysterical (and decidedly) bizarre comedy videos on the internet. A particular video, titled Baby Cult, centered on characters obsessively obsessed with motherhood; another envisioned working at a trendy retail outlet as like being caught in a horror film. Interestingly, she connected with Seligman through NYU’s movie community and eventually appearing in her initial project, Shiva Baby, a stressful dramedy set at a funeral gathering with hints of Uncut Gems. The big theme of her career, she says, has been contemporaries giving her a shot, as opposed to traditional networks. So the old guard wasn’t helpful? “Not the gatekeepers”, she repeats, continuing humorously: “Our victory isn’t their goal.”

Rising Success

Individuals who were skeptical regarding her previously will surely be regretting it currently. Through she labels a “astonishingly complete” story, she has created an ideal role. Previously she uploaded a video named “it’s LA” on the internet, in which she mocked Hollywood trailers (“I’m addicted to drugs – we all are”). Six years on, she’s a lead creator (with Emma Barrie) of a series about LA residents juggling benefits of online celebrity (such as socializing at a celebrity’s house) with its pitfalls (your friend being accused of being a drug-addled criminal, and possibly becoming a risky pariah). It would be simple to produce a show about digital influence that was horribly aspirational—or, worse, one that punched down at its subjects. I Love LA avoids both, making for a representation of advantaged millennial life that’s candid about the grot and the glamour.

Empathetic Approach

“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

Kathy Martin
Kathy Martin

Lena is a certified spinning instructor and fitness writer with over a decade of experience in cycling and wellness coaching.