The actress and writer discussing her hilarious comedy about the grotty glamour of today's youth lifestyle
The star enters the video call and immediately starts an explanation. “Apologies for the delay!” she says, appearing genuinely remorseful. She is only slightly behind, she wants to justify. “My phone conversations always run long.” I had two calls before this, and I’m like, I’ve gotta stop talking!” Fortunately, for a writer, that’s just what is ideal to hear. Additionally, it’s quite expected. Anyone who know her boldly queer and outspoken project titled Bottoms—which Sennott collaborated on with her creative partner and appeared in with collaborator The Bear’s standout—will be aware that Sennott has a lot to discuss, ranging from about identity, relationships, or the appeal of creating a high-school fight club. And, once you finish the latest seasonal program titled I Love LA, it becomes obvious that she has even more insights on the struggles of young adulthood (At 30, she is an honorary member of the gang, on the cusp adept for bridging different age groups).
Inspirations and Storytelling Approach
Likenesses to Lena Dunham’s Girls can’t be avoided and Sennott admits to being enthusiastic, referencing the show in addition to the classic series, the acclaimed comedy and Donald Glover’s series as inspirations for the project, which tracks the journey of an influencer played by Odessa A’Zion and ally and aspiring representative Sennott’s character. However, the most significant spot on the moodboard belonged to the popular sitcom, that HBO sitcom about an up-and-coming A-list actor making his way in a corrupt entertainment industry (choice quote: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). Sennott started watching it amid the pandemic, became “hooked”, and decided to put her own twist on it “with female and queer audiences in mind”.
“I wanted to make a show where the internet, not Hollywood, was the industry, because my career started online,” she notes. The inspiration for I Love LA originated—in part—from firsthand, initially rocky, transition to Tinseltown and from the cosmic event, a much-talked-about phenomenon for astrology heads. That period marked a time that saw her understand significant truths, in her career and personally. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she admits. “After relocating to Los Angeles in my mid-twenties, I found stability, only for things to crumble. It was almost like these biblical tests …”
Humble Origins
Growing up in Connecticut, the star started writing and performing stand-up while pursuing performance at NYU’s Tisch. “I followed traditional paths to get on stage, but nothing clicked,” she explains. “Every campus humor group turned me down after tryouts.” “None of the university plays cast me either.” “I wondered why I was even there at all.”
Sennott took matters into her own hands, appearing at amateur nights with Ayo and posting hysterical (and decidedly) unconventional online content on the internet. A particular video, titled Baby Cult, centered on several females intensely drawn to pregnancy; a different one portrayed working at a trendy retail outlet as like being trapped in a thriller. In a neat twist of fate, she connected with Emma through NYU’s movie community and eventually featuring in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, an anxious film set at a funeral gathering with shades of Uncut Gems. A recurring idea of her career, she says, has been people her own age supporting her, instead of the industry at large. So the old guard wasn’t helpful? “They were not involved”, she confirms, adding amusedly: “They prefer we don’t succeed.”
Manifesting Dreams
Anyone who were skeptical regarding Sennott then will likely be regretting it currently. As part of she calls a “incredibly circular” development, she has achieved an ideal role. In 2019 she posted a video titled “it’s LA” on social media, in which she mocked movie previews (“I’m addicted to drugs – we all are”). Now, she’s a lead creator (with her partner) of a series about city dwellers balancing benefits of digital stardom (such as celebrating at a famous actor’s house) with drawbacks (your friend being labeled as being a substance-abusing criminal, and potentially becoming a risky persona non grata). Some could simple to create a show about online fame that was extremely glamorous—or, even less favorable, one that mocked at the characters. The series steers clear of each, creating a depiction of privileged young adult life that’s frank about the chaos and the shine.
Nuanced Portrayal
“There have been a lot of shows that depict young people and their relationship to the internet in this very condescending, hateful way,” she observes. “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