<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Comedian Yvonne Orji, who played Molly Carter in "Insecure," is 39 and has never had sex.</strong></li><li><strong>Orji is waiting until marriage due to her faith, but is ready for a relationship with a "good" man.</strong></li></ul><p>Comedian Yvonne Orji, known for playing Molly Carter in comedy series "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/yvonne-orji-on-influence-of-insecure-2021-12"><u>Insecure</u></a>," has spoken about the pressures of being a 39-year-old virgin.</p><p>Orji has been open about her virginity for years, and said in a 2017 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zw7AXwnb8M"><u>TEDx talk</u></a> on the subject that she is waiting to have sex until after marriage because of her Christian faith — she just hasn't found the right man yet.</p><p>Orji told the 2016 documentary series "Sex. Right. Now" that it was difficult to play "sexually free" Molly<strong> </strong>while not having sex herself. But, she said on an episode of comedian Chelsea Handler's podcast "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJJQsEZraaw"><u>Dear Chelsea,</u></a>" released on 7 September, that she is "actually really happy" about her decision to not have sex.</p><p>However, she said that she is now <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-know-if-youre-ready-for-a-relationship-2018-11"><u>ready to be in a relationship</u></a> with someone who wants all of what she "brings to the table."</p><h2>Being a virgin in her 30s has been hard, but Orji knows she is 'that chick'</h2><p>Orji said she has felt "so much pressure" when dating: "what if he wants to have sex with me, what do I say, what if he doesn't like me once I tell him I'm a virgin?"</p><p>But she now realizes that she is "that chick," and that "there are going to be guys that are not going to rock with you because you're a virgin, and that's fine," because she's "not for everybody that way."</p><p>Although she thought she was ready to get married and have sex when she was 35, she thinks she's "the most ready to be in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/what-dating-is-like-adult-virgins-sex-2018-6"><u>committed relationship</u></a> now that will actually last."</p><h2>Orji has dated, but 'sex was not on the table'</h2><p>Orji said she wanted to lose her virginity at 18, but embraced Christianity when she "got saved" at 17 and a half years old, and committed to waiting until she got married to have sex.</p><p>She joked: "I was probably supposed to be a ho in my heart. I feel like if Jesus hadn't gotten me as early as he would have, it would have been a different story."</p><p>The actor is currently single, but has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/dating-advice-for-virgins-2019-2"><u>dated</u></a> people in the past and "had a fantastic time," even though "sex was not on the table." Notably, she dated <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/emmanuel-acho-bachelor-after-the-final-rose-2021-3"><u>Emmanuel Acho</u></a>, a former NFL linebacker and current analyst for Fox Sports, from 2018 to 2019.</p><p>Orji joked that "there's a lot of pent up energy in here," and asked Handler to "hurry up" and send "any good men" she knows her way.</p>

Comedian Yvonne Orji says being a virgin at 39 is 'so much pressure' and she's ready for a 'good' man 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: Spoilers ahead for the <a href="https://www.insider.com/details-you-missed-insecure-series-finale-references-callbacks-2021-12">series finale of HBO's "Insecure,"</a> which aired on Sunday. </li><li>The show's final episode uses time jumps to show where the main characters end up.</li></ul><p><keyword id="11921392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hbo" source="Orion">HBO</keyword>'s hit series "<keyword id="12179176" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure" source="Orion">Insecure</keyword>" follows the lives of Black millennials as they struggle to juggle life's intricacies with a deeper level of introspection than normally seen on comedy series.</p><p>But one particular "will-they-won't-they" situation captivated and divided viewers for all five seasons. Issa (<keyword id="12136277" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="issa-rae" source="Orion">Issa Rae</keyword>) and Lawrence (<keyword id="12380994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="jay-ellis" source="Orion">Jay Ellis</keyword>) are introduced in the pilot of the series as a long-term couple struggling with their own personal growth while trying to maintain a relationship.</p><p>In that first episode, Issa's reflections during her birthday dinner with her best friend Molly (<keyword id="12361687" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="yvonne-orji" source="Orion">Yvonne Orji</keyword>) lead her to toy with the idea of leaving Lawrence to rekindle a flame with her ex.</p><p>The decision of that night causes ripples in both their lives over the span of five seasons – from hook-ups, parenthood, serious <keyword id="11911084" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="relationships" source="Orion">relationships</keyword>, to new jobs and cities. The two called it quits after Issa cheats, go their separate ways, and finally get back together (more than once) to <a href="https://www.insider.com/details-you-missed-insecure-series-finale-references-callbacks-2021-12">finally end up engaged on Issa's birthday in the series finale.</a></p><h2>The show focuses on the growth of Issa and Lawrence in a realistic way – no matter how messy</h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Lawrence and Issa in &quot;Insecure&quot;" height="813" width="1086" msid="88601808" hostid="261"></div><p>"Insecure" masterfully portrayed how growth requires letting go of the linear path our minds can force us to subscribe to. </p><p>Lawrence showed the realities of how a college degree and a game-plan doesn't always ensure a desired outcome and how depression (though unspoken of) shows up in subtle ways.</p><p>Issa proved how her vision and creativity was stifled by a job she wasn't happy at and things wouldn't change until she bet on herself. She took a big risk by quitting We Got Y'All without a clear plan but that choice paid off.</p><p>Both Issa and Lawrence found themselves curing bouts of loneliness with temporary fixes while they continually struggled to find their purpose in life. But, the lesson in that proved that there's a consequence for every choice.</p><p>What makes the storylines in "Insecure" so potent is that it delves deeper into the affects of those decisions, even if it's just on a character's mentality.</p><p>Issa's cheating caused Lawrence to go into hookup mode rather than confronting his feelings. Issa fumbled her relationship with Daniel and casually dated. Lawrence finally came to terms with his part in the demise of Issa and him – just to find out he was fathering his ex-girlfriend's child.</p><p>As Issa and Lawrence move through different phases of their lives, the one constant seems to be that the universe (or the fact that they run in the same circles) always puts them back on each other's minds. </p><h2>Both Issa and Molly had the ultimate agency in choosing what's best for their lives from romance to jobs </h2><div type="image" title="Molly (Yvonne Orji) and Issa (Issa Rae)" height="1280" width="1706" msid="88601810" hostid="261"></div><p>The pressure of having it all figured out plagued Issa and Molly throughout the series, so much so that it often caused a rift between the two several times and left viewers wondering if their friendship was ever repairable. </p><p>The beautiful lesson that's reached in the final season is that Issa and Molly ultimately took control over their lives, personal growth, and professional pursuits. "Insecure" gave women the spotlight for a change, something that isn't often depicted for Black women.</p><p>Viewers got to fall in <keyword id="11993342" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="love" source="Orion">love</keyword> with the version of Molly that emerged after her journey to self, and the Issa that finally stopped listening to Mirror Bitch's doubts.</p><p>In the end, it was never about the thrill and passion that comes with uncertainty. The story showed us that the romantic and realist in us could coexist. Sometimes the choice is to surrender to the "yes" that makes most sense with our heart – no matter what our mind tells us.</p><p>What makes "Insecure" different is there wasn't the idea of "settling" for the sake of love for the Black women. It was about accepting that the journey (even when it comes to who we're meant to be with) often isn't as linear as we think – life happens in curving pathways and the in-between spaces.</p><h2>'Insecure' did away with the trope of a big romantic gesture, and instead made the love story a smaller series of moments and choices</h2><div type="image" title="Issa (Issa Rae) and Lawrence (Jay Ellis) on &quot;Insecure&quot;" height="1440" width="2880" msid="88601813" hostid="261"></div><p>Both Molly and Issa (whose friendship was the real heart of "Insecure") found their path in the end. By the series finale, Molly was happily married to the kind of guy who will send wings to her apartment when she's going through it. And Issa was once again celebrating a birthday — but <a href="https://www.insider.com/details-you-missed-insecure-series-finale-references-callbacks-2021-12">this time with Lawrence as her fiancé</a>. </p><p>We never got to see Molly swept off her feet by Taurean in romantic grand gestures, but instead their love was established with small moments of communication and caring. </p><p>And when Issa chose Lawrence, it wasn't the same dramatic moment he decided to impose on her while she was dating Nathan. It was a quiet, intimate speech wrapped in metaphors about giving something a try – but the telling part about that was that Lawrence <em>knew</em> what she was implying. Lawrence's romantic gesture was that he simply understood Issa, from her corny jokes to her feelings deep down inside. Their true form of intimacy lies in <em>seeing </em>one another.</p><p>"Insecure" asserts that Black women can have their happy ending – no matter how messy – if the love is real. </p>

Issa and Lawrence's relationship in 'Insecure' has always been more believable because it wasn't perfect

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Insider spoke with <keyword id="12361687" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="yvonne-orji" source="Orion">Yvonne Orji</keyword> ahead of "<keyword id="12179176" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure" source="Orion">Insecure</keyword>" ending after five seasons on Sunday.</li><li>"Our show was able to allow executives and creatives to see what is possible," she said.</li></ul><p>When Amazon debuted "Harlem," it was immediately dubbed the new "Insecure" by critics, writers, and fans on social media. In reality, there is very little that links the two shows.</p><p>"Harlem," a <a href="https://www.insider.com/whoopi-goldberg-inspired-meagan-good-to-stop-apologizing-so-much-2021-12">10-episode comedy series about the lives of four Black thirty-somethings</a> in New York City starring Megan Good and Whoopie Goldberg, created by "Girls Trip" writer Tracy Oliver, is a much less ambitious show constructed around familiar narrative templates that, in fact, resemble comedies like <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-happens-mr-big-and-just-like-that-satc-revival-2021-12">"Sex in The City"</a> and "How I Met Your Mother" more than "Insecure."</p><p>This brand of classification is indicative of Hollywood's shallow ideas of identity and politics as the comparison is really a matter of race and gender. (Boots Riley's "Sorry To Bother You" was called the new "Get Out," for example.)</p><p>Still, in the case of the 30-minute, female-led-and-created Black television comedy, it is difficult to create any kind of commentary without mentioning "Insecure."</p><div type="image" title="Molly and Issa in HBO Insecure season three Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji" height="1209" width="1612" msid="88397815" hostid="261"></div><p>When Issa Rae debuted <keyword id="11921392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hbo" source="Orion">HBO</keyword>'s "Insecure" in 2016, she became the first Black woman to create and star in a scripted series for a premium cable channel. She's the second Black woman to do it in primetime TV, behind Wanda Sykes, who created "Wanda At Large" for Fox in 2003.</p><p>Across its five-season run, the show, which tells the story of Issa — a former drifter turned community organizer (played by Issa Rae) — and Molly — an accomplished, romantically doomed, well-to-do lawyer (played by Yvonne Orji) has picked up a slew of historic awards and nominations.</p><p>When the final episode of "Insecure" airs next week, on Boxing Day, it will mark the end of a unique and influential era of Black television and that's not lost on its stars, including Yvonne Orji.</p><p>"Our show was able to allow executives and creatives to see what is possible; to be able to tell a truthful, undiluted story about the Black experience in a way that has no trauma associated with it," Orji told Insider when speaking about the lasting influence "Insecure" has created.  </p><p>"I hope it opens up doors for other kinds of shows that can lend themselves to that experience as well. We would love to see something similar to 'Insecure' but set in XYZ or similar to 'Insecure' but focused on this." </p><div type="image" title="&quot;insecure&quot;" height="2640" width="3960" msid="88397816" hostid="261"></div><p>Orji, who picked up her first Emmy nomination in 2020 for her role as Molly, continued to recount some of the first-hand anecdotes she has heard about the influence "Insecure" has had in the creation of new television comedies, including the story of one television executive who revealed that the show is often referenced in pitch meetings at her network.</p><p>"There's a tweet by an executive I think after our first or second episode, she said, 'The amount of times 'Insecure' is referenced in a pitch meeting is outstanding,'" Oriji said. </p><p>"She said she hears it all the time. It's like 'an "Insecure" meets...' or 'it's like "Insecure" but with…' and I was like <em>wow that's pretty awesome</em> because you know, I can't speak for Issa but I know when we were making the show in the inception we were just hoping we get a full-season order."</p><p>"We were just trying to do a show but Issa is so specific about what she wants south L.A. to feel like, what she wants the music to feel like," Orji continued, "And so, I think her specificity of vision really curated and created a beautiful experience." </p><div type="image" title="Insecure" height="647" width="970" msid="88397817" hostid="261"></div><p>Alongside its hyperspecific portrait of Los Angeles and Black millennial relationships (both familial and romantic), "Insecure" is best known for its rabid social media following. After every Sunday night viewing, Twitter, in particular, is dominated by discussions about the show. </p><p>Oriji said that it was this fierce social media fandom along with one weekend at Essence Festival — an annual music festival held in New Orleans — that helped her realize "Insecure" had legs. </p><p>"We were at Essence Fest before the first season came out and we were able to just like walk through the streets of New Orleans. No one was checking for us. Issa was recognized because of 'Awkward Black Girl' [her popular web series] but 'Insecure' hadn't come out," Oriji recalled. </p><p>At that moment, Oriji said her co-star Jay Ellis turned to her and Rae and said that after "Insecure" premiered later that year, the pair would no longer be able to "walk through the streets of New Orleans without getting mobbed." </p><p>"Me and Issa were like, 'Stop playing we are just regular people. Like, it's not even gon' be like that.' After season two, we came for Essence Fest and we had to have security. It was black cars only," Oriji said. "That was when you're just like, 'Oh, things have changed.'" </p><p>The final episode of "Insecure" airs on Sunday, December 26. "Insecure: The End," a documentary special about the production of the show, will debut on HBO Max on the same day.  </p>

Yvonne Orji on the lasting influence of 'Insecure': 'Our show was able to allow executives and creatives to see what is possible'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="12136277" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="issa-rae" source="Orion">Issa Rae</keyword> changed the ending of "<keyword id="12179176" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure" source="Orion">Insecure</keyword>" two weeks before filming was scheduled for the finale.</li><li>"I can't wait to talk about it when it airs to see if I made the wrong decision," Rae <a href="https://ew.com/tv/insecure-final-season-digital-cover-story/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_ew&amp;%0Autm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_content=video&amp;utm_term=20211021tm_term=20211021">told EW.</a></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/issa-rae">Issa Rae</a> is determined to give the beloved <keyword id="11921392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hbo" source="Orion">HBO</keyword> show "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/insecure">Insecure</a>" the ending it deserves, even if that means making a last-minute quick change.</p><p><a href="https://ew.com/tv/insecure-final-season-digital-cover-story/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_ew&amp;%0Autm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_content=video&amp;utm_term=20211021tm_term=20211021">In a new cover story, Entertainment Weekly reports</a> that the "Insecure" co-creator and main star sent an email to showrunner Prentice Penny and executive producers Amy Aniobi and Laura Kittrell two weeks before production was scheduled to shoot the finale, saying she was unsatisfied with the ending, </p><p>"Thank God I had a burst of inspiration of what I wanted it to be, and that's what we ended up shooting," Rae said in <a href="https://ew.com/tv/insecure-final-season-digital-cover-story/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_ew&amp;%0Autm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_content=video&amp;utm_term=20211021tm_term=20211021">an interview with EW</a>. "I stand by it, I like it." </p><p>She continued: "The other one was good, too, but it just didn't feel like the most [satisfying]. It didn't feel like our show. I can't wait to talk about it when it airs to see if I made the wrong decision."</p><p>The whole cast is being careful not to give away any spoilers about the season finale. Co-star <keyword id="12361687" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="yvonne-orji" source="Orion">Yvonne Orji</keyword> (who plays Molly) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JqzwlWqWfQ">told Tamron Hall on the "Tamron Hall Show"</a> that she "cried the whole final episode." </p><div type="image" title="Yvonne Orji, Issa Rae as Molly and Issa Insecure season four Merie W. Wallace HBO " height="1280" width="1707" msid="87194976" hostid="261"></div><p>"I told Issa after the table read, I was like 'Yo, you sent us out very well and I appreciate then heck out of you,'" Orji said. "She wrote an amazing finale and Prentice [Penny] did an amazing job directing it. I don't think there was anything else we could have left on the table."</p><p>Issa's relationship with Lawrence and her friendship with Molly were both left suspended in the season four finale. In the <a href="https://www.insider.com/insecure-season-5-trailer-video-2021-9">first trailer released</a> for season five, it appears that both rocky relationships will be addressed along with the baby Lawrence is having with Condola.</p><p>The fifth and final season of "Insecure" debuts on Sunday, October 24 on HBO. </p>

Issa Rae changed the ending of 'Insecure' just 2 weeks before the finale was supposed to be filmed

<ul class="summary-list"><li>You won't be catching Dua Lipa or Billie Eilish at a karaoke party anytime soon.</li><li>Both singers said they're not into <strong>karaoke</strong> on The Hollywood Reporter's "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O88CrYUPW2M&amp;ab_channel=TheHollywoodReporter"><strong>Songwriters Roundtable.</strong></a>"</li></ul><p>If you're throwing a karaoke party, it's not worth sending an invite to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/dua-lipa-daring-outfits-photos-2021-8">Dua Lipa</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/billie-eilish-gay-sexuality-attracted-to-women-bisexual-2023-11">Billie Eilish</a>.</p><p>The two singers revealed on The Hollywood Reporter's "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O88CrYUPW2M&amp;ab_channel=TheHollywoodReporter">Songwriters Roundtable</a>" that they aren't fans of singing karaoke.</p><p>In a conversation hosted by Yvonne Orji, the stars — alongside fellow songwriters Cynthia Erivo, Jon Batiste, Julia Michaels, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/olivia-rodrigo-manifesting-new-single-vampire-2023-9">Olivia Rodrigo</a> — were asked about their go-to karaoke song.</p><p>When it was Lipa's turn to respond, the "Dance the Night" singer admitted that she doesn't enjoy karaoke.</p><p>"I hate singing at karaoke. My friends hate it. So it's all a bit weird, but I do 'Changes' by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/jada-pinkett-smith-says-no-chemistry-between-her-and-tupac-2023-10">Tupac</a>," Lipa said.</p><p>As for Eilish, she declared during her turn — to everyone's surprise — that she's "never done karaoke."</p><p>The "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/billie-eilish-barbie-music-video-real-outfits-2023-7?_gl=1*z8j3kd*_ga*MTkyMjM0ODQ2Ni4xNjY4MDUyNjEz*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTcwNDI1MTA3OS4xMTY3LjEuMTcwNDI1MTI2MS4xOC4wLjA.">What Was I Made For</a>" singer then clarified that while she had a karaoke speaker she used when she was six, she had never sung karaoke "while standing on a stage."</p><p>"I just feel like, 'Haven't you heard enough of me singing onstage?'" Eilish said. "I don't know, like I was at a party, and they had karaoke, and they were like, 'Billie, you should do it.' And I was like, 'You don't need me to do that.'"</p><p>In the conversation, Eilish also opened up about having writer's block before she received a call from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/greta-gerwig-says-her-catholic-upbringing-influenced-barbie-scenes-2023-7">Greta Gerwig</a> to write a song for the "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/barbie-details-references-easter-eggs-missed-2023-7">Barbie</a>" movie soundtrack.</p><p>"It was a period of time when I just had nothing. I had nothing to say, I didn't know how to say what I thought I could say, and we really hadn't written anything in a minute," Eilish said, referring to herself and her brother, the songwriter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/who-is-finneas-oconnell-billie-eilish-brother-producer-cowriter">Finneas</a>.</p><p>"I honestly was concerned that it was over for me," she continued. "I was honestly like, 'Damn, maybe I hit my peak and I don't know how to write anymore?'"</p><p>Thankfully, the request from Gerwig brought her out of her slump and even inspired her to write "so much more after that," Eilish added.</p>

Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish say they have no interest in being invited to a karaoke party

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Denise Dowse died on Saturday at 64, an Instagram post from her sister confirmed. </li><li>Dowse was known for her roles on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Insecure."</li></ul><p>Denise Dowse, best known for her role as Yvonne Teasley on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and Rhonda Pine on "Insecure" has died at the age of 64, her sister Tracey Dowse confirmed on her Instagram Saturday. </p><p>"Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director," Tracey Dowse wrote on Instagram. "She was my very best friend and final family member. Denise loved all of you. I know that she is watching over us with all the love she has." </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChN-HbSP8ld" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank"></a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Denise Dowse (@denisedowse)<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime=""></time></p></div></blockquote><p>Dowse's sister requested prayers on Sunday after announcing that the actress had been admitted to a hospital with a coma, caused by a "virulent form of meningitis."</p><p>After her hospitalization announcement, co-stars like Yvonne Orji from "Insecure" to Jill Marie-Jones, who acted alongside Dowse while she guest-starred on "Girlfriends," <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1341761/denise-dowse-receives-support-from-her-insecure-family-amid-coma">took to social media</a> to offer words of support for the actress.</p><p>After the announcement of her passing, Ian Ziering, who acted alongside Dowse on "90210" shared a lengthy Instagram comment reminiscing about their time on the show.</p><p>"Throughout all my years working on Beverly Hills 90210, my scenes with Denise will always be remembered with the utmost in respect for her talent, and fondness for the loving soul she was," Ziering wrote. "Some of my heartiest off camera laughs were between she and I hammering out the the discipline her Mrs. Teasley would dish out to my Steve Sanders."</p><p>"General Hospital" actress Sonya Eddy commented that Dowse was one of her "favorite people."</p><p>"One of the most giving, loving and gentle people I've met," Eddy wrote.</p>

Denise Dowse, actress on 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Insecure' is dead at 64

The first 'Insecure' season 5 trailer hints at drama to come with Condola and Lawrence's baby

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The final episode of <keyword id="11921392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hbo" source="Orion">HBO</keyword>'s hit-show "<keyword id="12179176" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure" source="Orion">Insecure</keyword>" airs this Sunday, December 26.</li><li>Insider spoke with <keyword id="12086241" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="natasha-rothwell" source="Orion">Natasha Rothwell</keyword> about the final season and departing gifts for the cast.</li></ul><p>The finale of HBO's Emmy-winning comedy series "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/insecure">Insecure</a>" premieres this Sunday, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/natasha-rothwell">Natasha Rothwell</a>, who stars as Kelli, told Insider about the special wrap gift she gave her her castmates.</p><p>"My cast gift to everyone is this bracelet and it has the coordinates of South LA on it," Rothwell said. "We love each other. We're so corny. So I keep it on. I wear it."</p><p>Rothwell showed us the inside of the gold bracelet, which has the show's title engraved on it.</p><p>"It's just a little something because I feel like these coordinates ... that's where <keyword id="12136277" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="issa-rae" source="Orion">Issa Rae</keyword> and Issa Dee are from and it's important to me," she said.</p><p>Rothwell said she wishes she had kept more items from the set, but she did get to bring home one special piece of memorabilia — the script for the final episode signed by the whole cast. </p><p>When Issa Rae debuted HBO's "Insecure" in 2016, she became the <a href="https://www.insider.com/yvonne-orji-on-influence-of-insecure-2021-12">first Black woman to create and star in a scripted series for a premium cable channel</a>. Now, in its final season "Insecure" has become the staple of what many shows aspire to be and how news show are pitched.</p><p>As <a href="https://www.insider.com/yvonne-orji-on-influence-of-insecure-2021-12">reported by Insider's Zac Ntim</a>, Yvonne Orji said she has heard about the influence "Insecure" has had in the creation of new television comedies, including the story of one television executive who revealed that the show is often referenced in pitch meetings at her network.</p><div type="image" title="A group of friends walking at Stanford's campus in the show &quot;Insecure.&quot;" height="1069" width="1426" msid="88509688" hostid="261"></div><p>Rothwell has an integral role on the series as one of Issa's three closest friends. She plays Kelli, the friend who brings laughter and unadulterated honesty as a comedic relief in a series that can sometimes be emotionally heavy. </p><p>"It's so funny because the first season I experienced so many personal firsts," Rothwell said. "I was first a guest star and then I got onto season two as a series regular. Each thing was so precious and special and exciting."</p><p>By the fifth and final season, Rothwell was not just costarring in the show and writing episodes, but also sitting in the director's chair for the first time. Rothwell says one of the first season writers, Jen Regan, gave her a key piece of advice.</p><p>"I wanted to get sad about shooting the season finale for season one," Rothwell said. "And she was just like, 'Always celebrate because season two is never guaranteed. Season three is never guaranteed.' It really checked me and it's something that stuck with me.</p><p>She continued: "I have to celebrate each thing as a moment because especially in this industry, you can shoot a whole movie and never see the light of day. I feel like it's just been a really cool journey."</p><p>The final episode of "Insecure" airs on Sunday, December 26. A documentary special about the production of the show, "Insecure: The End," will debut on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-hbo-max">HBO Max</a> on the same day.  </p>

'Insecure' star Natasha Rothwell reveals the sentimental gift she bought the cast for the final season

<ul class="summary-list"><li>On the season five premiere, we see what happens to Lawrence and Issa's relationship.</li><li>Their decision comes after Lawrence and Condola, who dated briefly, found out they were expecting a baby.</li></ul><p>We didn't have to wait long for the fifth and final season of "<keyword id="12179176" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure" source="Orion">Insecure</keyword>" to reveal if Issa was going to give her and Lawrence's relationship a real chance - even after he told her he was having a baby with his ex, Condola. </p><p>Issa's answer? </p><p>"Lawrence, I had a chance to think and…," she muttered after a rather awkward ride home from the airport.</p><p>Issa (<keyword id="12136277" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="issa-rae" source="Orion">Issa Rae</keyword>) had just landed after having a successful 10-year reunion - even being asked to speak on a panel - at her alma mater, Stanford University.</p><p>The look on Issa's face said it all even when she couldn't finish her sentence. Lawrence (<keyword id="12380994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="jay-ellis" source="Orion">Jay Ellis</keyword>) said instead: "Yeah, I know." </p><p>In case that's too subtle for some viewers, it doesn't seem like the two will get their "happily ever after" after all. </p><p><keyword id="12086241" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="natasha-rothwell" source="Orion">Natasha Rothwell</keyword>, who stars as the hilarious Kelly on the series centered on Issa's misadventures in love while living in Los Angeles, explained why the writers of the hit <keyword id="11921392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hbo" source="Orion">HBO</keyword> series decided to throw a hiccup in a relationship viewers were desperate to see work.<br /><br />"That catapulted the story in the drama of the season so well," she said over drinks at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown New York City earlier this year. "It's basically like, 'OK. Y'all good. What about <em>now</em>?'"</p><div type="image" title="Lawrence and Issa in &quot;Insecure&quot;" height="813" width="1401" msid="87248155" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong style="background-color: #ffffff;">Rothwell says Issa Rae is 'very big' on showing the baggage of real life on the show</strong></h2><p>Rothwell penned one of the best "Insecure" episodes of all time (season four, episode eight, titled "Lowkey Happy") that shows Issa and Lawrence putting their cards on the table for the first time since they broke up.</p><p>The episode, beautifully shot by cinematographer Kira Kelly and directed by Ava Berkofsky, finally showed us why the two were so right for each other initially; an aspect of their relationship we never got to explore, since we met them when Lawrence was depressed and Issa had checked-out.</p><p>Still, Rothwell said their relationship had to endure such a heartbreaking storyline.</p><p>"Issa's very big on this. It's about real life," the "White Lotus" star began. "In real life, we don't get our romance with a perfect bow. People have baggage. People have shit to work through. And so it came from that place of just the anti-rom-com rom-com."</p><p>"Yes, they had this amazing night. Yes, it ended beautifully and they had this moment in time, but just like Issa in the series, in episode nine, she has to wake up to reality," she continued. "The real love story in any life is how do you navigate real shit?"</p><p>And there's nothing more real than your ex-girlfriend realizing she's pregnant with your first child just as you're reconciling with your first love.</p><div type="image" title="Issa Dee and Molly on the college campus, Stanford University, on the season 5 premiere of &quot;Insecure.&quot;" height="1280" width="1920" msid="87248157" hostid="261"></div><h2>Season five will also follow Issa and Molly as they try to repair their friendship, Rothwell reveals</h2><p>Issa's relationship with Lawrence wasn't the only one on the rocks last season. Her friendship with Molly (Yvonne Orji) also shifted, but during the season four finale the two finally agreed to have dinner.</p><p>"That's the last we see of them," Rothwell said. "I mean, having gone through massive friendship breakups, it is one of those things that cut so deeply because women love so deeply. And we ... can hurt very deeply."</p><p>"Some of that is irreparable and some of that you have to work through, but you have to know that something there is worth fighting for," she teased. "The beauty of their friendship is that them sitting at the table, it was an acknowledgment on both their parts that they're committed to figuring out a path."</p><p>On the season five premiere, we see that their dinner conversation must've helped because they're no longer avoiding each other. But it's still pretty damn uncomfortable watching them at times, trying to be supporting and not step on each other's new boundaries.</p><p>This season, Rothwell said we'll see the two one-time besties ask themselves if they'll "grow together or do we grow apart? And some people grow apart."</p><p>"Insecure" airs on HBO at 10 p.m. ET and on HBO Max.</p>

'Insecure' star Natasha Rothwell explains the moment writers decided Lawrence and Condola were having a baby

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59b29f1145e23852008b55cd-2400/gettyimages-815304678.jpg" alt="Yvonne Orji Insecure" data-mce-source="Getty images" /><p class="source"><span>Getty images</span></p><p class="caption">Yvonne Orji attends a block party celebrating HBO's new season of "Insecure."</p></div><p></p></div></div>Making it in the comedy world is hard, especially for women. And it can be even harder when you're trying to stay true to your religious beliefs.</p><p>Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji plays Molly on HBO's "Insecure," which ends its second season on Sunday. In addition to acting, Orji's been working as a stand-up comedian for years. She's also a Christian, and doesn't compromise her beliefs for her comedy.</p><p>Business Insider recently talked to Orji about equal pay, the challenges of coming up in comedy as a black woman, and about staying true to her beliefs in a tempting atmosphere. </p><p>In season two of "Insecure," Orji's character Molly finds out that she's getting paid less than a male co-worker. In the penultimate episode, she tries to negotiate a raise, but fails. Orji told Business Insider that she's had a similar experience.</p><p>"Before 'Insecure' I was doing a lot of stand up and I did a lot of hosting," Orji said. "An opportunity presented itself where somebody wanted to hire me to host something on a TV show. And I was like, 'Oh that would be a good opportunity.' They asked if I knew other people, and I knew a guy. I suggested him. Then I got my contract. And I was like ...'Ooh. I don't think I can do this for this rate.' As luck would have it, I found out how much the other guy was getting, so I countered. Instead of them coming back with a counter offer, they just said, 'Oh no, it's ok, I think we'll go with the guy instead.' It sucks, but I would never do it for less. I understand because I'm willing to reject offers that are below my rate, that alienates some people from hiring me. But if you don't start demanding what you want now, you will always be short changed. And that's just how I flow." </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/59b29e2445e2382e008b54ef-2400/749ee4c3b266eb18da3b19a6b1b13c998ebb4ccdeacd6d5fafb9f489397222683b0acbce47c44bbda02cb71a9262fb0c.jpg" alt="Yvonne Orji Insecure" data-mce-source="HBO" /><p class="source"><span>HBO</span></p><p class="caption">Yvonne Orji as Molly on "Insecure."</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Pay isn't the only challenge Orji has faced as a woman in the comedy world. "In the comedy community, the concept of being a female and pretty and skinny and funny, it's like, 'Uh, you can't be all three.' But skinny, pretty and actually hysterical? They're like, 'what unicorn are you?' I would show up to comedy clubs early on in my career and I would get asked, 'Ok, what are you doing tonight? Are you singing? Doing spoken word?' And I'm like, 'No sir, I am not doing any of the above because this is a <em>comedy club</em>.'"</p><p>Orji, despite playing a promiscuous character on "Insecure," is a devout Christian. A lot of comedians reject religion and talk about it in their stand up. But Orji embraces her beliefs and doesn't compromise them for her jokes. And she made sure to point out that she doesn't judge people whose beliefs differ from hers, either. "I'm so established in my beliefs and grounded in what is important to me, that even if no one appreciates it or has an issue with it, that is their issue," she said. "There's some times where people will be like, 'Hey, you should do this joke.' And I'm like, 'Oh, but I don't curse.' And they really think it'll make it funny. And it would. I actually believe it would make it funnier, but I don't curse so it's not an option for me. I have a couple non-negotiables. For me, it goes against what I firmly believe in. And it's fine, but my non-negotiable won't impede on your well-being."</p><p>The season two finale of "Insecure" airs Sunday night on HBO. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tech-analyst-apple-growth-from-services-business-scott-kessler-2017-9">TECH ANALYST: There's one business driving Apple's growth, and it's not the iPhone</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/xwDEGfTd-xjRU7l6Z.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Molly from HBO's 'Insecure' discusses fighting for equal pay and why she won't swear, even if the jokes are funnier

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="4045433" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Issa-Rae">Issa Rae</keyword> hilariously responded to <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> liking a tweet about her show "<keyword id="35444" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure">Insecure</keyword>," after eagle-eyed fans pointed it out on Twitter. </li><li>After a user tagged Rae in a screengrab of Trump's liked tweet, the writer and actress responded with, "what the f--- is this." </li><li>As of Tuesday, the tweet is the only "liked" tweet on Trump's official Twitter account, leading to lots of chatter and memes from fans of the show. </li><li>Some found it hilarious that the president (or his social media manager) seemingly watches the hit HBO show about Black women in Los Angeles. </li><li>But others thought Trump liking the tweet had a more negative connotation. </li></ul><p>Issa Rae responded to President Donald Trump liking a tweet about her hit HBO series "Insecure" after the strange occurrence went viral on social media. </p><p>Screengrabs of the bizarre moment quickly circulated on Twitter. One user tagged Rae and her "Insecure" co-writer Natasha Rothwell in a screenshot of the liked tweet, with the caption "Holy shit. Donald Trump watches Insecure?!?!?!"</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Greg  (@waltisfrozen) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269850413030768641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p>Rae responded shortly thereafter, tweeting, "what the f--- is this." </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Issa Rae  (@IssaRae) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269857687551873024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p>The controversy first began on Sunday, shortly after the new episode of "Insecure" premiered.</p><p>Fans on Twitter noticed that Trump's official Twitter account had "liked" a meme (featuring a GIF from the movie "The Color Purple") about the most recent episode — leading to plenty of confusion and memes. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Black Lives Matter  (@shiningheaux) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269830718114467840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p><div type="image" title="donald trump insecure tweet" height="1324" width="1202" msid="76291385" hostid="261"></div></p><p>Some found humor in the fact that the president apparently watches (and enjoys) a show about progressive Black women in Los Angeles. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—'Black on Black crime' does not exist  (@kunleidoscope) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269859391383261184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Yae  (@drkcutie736) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269873520240140289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—LILAFRIMANE  (@LORAFRIMANEE) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269870704671014912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—quinta brunson  (@quintabrunson) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269873072816787461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Desus Nice  (@desusnice) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269858797968863232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p>Others felt that Trump's like of a tweet that showed Black women in a field was more concerning than amusing. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Schadenfreude Jones.  (@LeMusze) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269891102288613376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Sarah Cooper  (@sarahcpr) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269861410177253378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—K*rens in Paris  (@akayoungbambina) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269894978123284481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Kenneth  (@Askforken) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269920474357731328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p>And some even called out the president for seemingly focusing on a television show during a time of massive unrest and crisis in the US. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Ahmed/Official A&amp;R for OVO Records  (@big_business_) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269860757979697154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—nadirah  (@hinadirah) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269851559371956224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Drebae  (@Drebae_) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269855979702677504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Sugar Auntie  (@thejournalista) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1269862470295760898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote><p>"Insecure" first premiered in 2016, and focuses on Issa (played by Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), two young professionals in Los Angeles.</p><p>The show (along with its creator, writer, and director Rae), has received acclaim from both critics and audiences for its portrayal of the Black female experience. </p><ul class="read-more-links"><li><strong>Read more</strong>:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/insecure-hbo-development-process-2017-2">How HBO changed the direction of 'Insecure' and ended up with a breakout hit</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/molly-from-insecure-talks-about-being-a-christian-woman-in-comedy-2017-9">Molly from HBO's 'Insecure' discusses fighting for equal pay and why she won't swear in her stand-up, even if the jokes are funnier</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/insecure-music-soundtrack-interview-2017-8">HBO's 'Insecure' has the hottest music on TV — we talked to the guy who puts it together</a></li></ul>

Issa Rae responded to Donald Trump liking a tweet about 'Insecure': 'What the f--- is this'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="71946" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="HBO">HBO</keyword>'s popular comedy "<keyword id="35444" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="insecure">Insecure</keyword>" has picked up 8 <keyword id="726349" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Emmy-Nominations">Emmy nominations</keyword>, including its first nod for the coveted Best Comedy Series. </li><li>Showrunner Prentice Penny told Insider "Insecure" is simply trying to "tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity, too."</li><li>"There's this narrative that Black women, especially on television, are seen as do-it-alls," Penny explained. "But no, we're just as human and frail as anybody else and that's why we wanted to keep that title."</li></ul><p>The fourth season of "Insecure" was undoubtedly the show's most accomplished and affecting installment to date. </p><p>With its trademark wittiness and astute eye for human reactions, interactions, and emotions, the show turned away from the broader implications of contemporary LA living.</p><p>It turned inwards, committing to a singular, tightly-crafted story about the most intimate aspects of the relationship between its two (im)perfect lead characters. Issa — a former drifter, turned community organizer (played by <keyword id="4045433" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Issa-Rae">Issa Rae</keyword>) –– and Molly — an accomplished, well-to-do lawyer (played by Yvonne Orji). </p><p>And if we can say anything positive about the year 2020, it's that it was the year "Insecure" was finally given the respect it deserves. </p><p>In its first few seasons, "Insecure" was often <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-emmy-snubs-of-2018-the-terror-the-good-place-killing-eve-2018-7?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neglected by critics and overlooked by awards voters</a>, with only the series creator and lead actor Issa Rae picking up acting nominations at both the Emmys and Golden Globes. </p><div type="image" title="Issa Rae" height="2571" width="3428" msid="78075268" hostid="261"></div><br />This year, however, "Insecure" finally broke through with a coveted Best Comedy Series Emmy nomination, an important establishment seal of approval all quality comedies seek (previous winners include "Fleabag," "Veep," and "The Office." ).<p>There was also further acting recognition for Issa Rae and an overdue first nomination for Orji, a big sign that critics and awards voters have begun to appreciate the show. </p><p>But why has it taken so long for critics and awards voters to take "Insecure," a Primetime HBO comedy series seriously?</p><p>Showrunner Prentice Penny doesn't have the answer, and he "stopped guessing" a long time ago. </p><p>"I'm not here to say our show should be nominated every year," he told Insider last week. "I'm just trying to make a good show."</p><h2>'We just wanted to tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity'</h2><p>Born and raised in Los Angeles, Penny has had the sort of resourceful Hollywood career perfect for recounting in interviews like this. </p><p>He started out at the University of Southern California's prestigious film school (alums include George Lucas, John Singleton, and Ryan Coogler). He then worked a host of odd jobs, the most interesting being a spell working within Disney's theme park division.</p><p>He got his big break as a writer on <a href="https://www.insider.com/netflix-black-sitcoms-fall-watch-list-2020-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the cult sitcom "Girlfriends,"</a> starring Tracee Ellis Ross, which, much like "Insecure," gives audiences a serious look into the complicated and multifaceted lives of young Black women. </p><p>"We just wanted to tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity too," he told me about his early vision for "Insecure."</p><p>The first season premiered in 2016 with a slender eight episodes. It managed to attract a fiercely dedicated fanbase, <a href="https://www.insider.com/issa-rae-donald-trump-insecure-tweet-response-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which seemingly included President Donald Trump</a>, who ended each Sunday night viewing with a detailed social media discussion on Issa's toxic relationship with her unfocused boyfriend, Lawrence. <a href="https://www.essence.com/entertainment/insecure-team-issa-team-lawrence-cheating-twitter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A week's worth of #Team Issa vs #Team Lawrence</a> would often flood Twitter and Instagram. </p><div type="image" title="insecure" height="771" width="1156" msid="78075269" hostid="261"></div><p>Penny said that there was talk early on about changing the show's name from "Insecure" to something less nihilistic, but he says that he felt a sense of duty to portray a young Black woman who struggled with the same social and mental anxieties as everyone else.</p><p>"There's this narrative that Black women, especially on television, are seen as do-it-alls," he explained. "But no, we're just as human and frail as anybody else and that's why we wanted to keep that title."</p><p>He says that before "Insecure," only white creators were given the opportunity to produce "all the slice-of-life TV shows which normally we do not get to do."</p><h2>Issa Rae is inspired by the sometimes complicated lives and relationships of young Black women</h2><p>Before leading "Insecure," Issa Rae <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-insecure-transformed-youtube-fame-into-an-hbo-hit-2017-2?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote and starred in "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,"</a> an award-winning short YouTube comedy. The web-series ran from 2011-2013. </p><div type="image" title="Issa Rae" height="2797" width="3730" msid="78075271" hostid="261"></div><p>At that time, Penny said he was working on "more mainstream white shows" because after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/writers-strike-explained-by-office-writers-2007-11" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the infamous writer's strike of 2007</a> — when screenwriters downed their pens demanding fairer remuneration — networks began to cancel production on shows that predominantly featured people of color. </p><p>Penny picked up credits on "Scrubs," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "Happy Endings. In 2015, after a series of fortunate events starting with his then-agent being old college friends with Issa Rae, he assumed the role of showrunner, writer, and frequent director on "Insecure." </p><p>As we spoke, I tried to compliment Penny on the show's innovative direction and visual style, <a href="https://www.avclub.com/insecures-cinematographer-shares-how-to-properly-film-d-1804039960" target="_blank" rel="noopener">something critics and fellow industry professionals have lauded across the show's four-season run.</a> (The show picked up two cinematography Emmy nominations this year). But Penny graciously diverted all praise to Melina Matsoukas, who directed the pilot episode, calling her a "huge visionary," as well as Ava Berkofsky, the show's lead cinematographer. The two women, he says, are responsible for crafting the show's "elevated" cinematic style. </p><p>For him — and the audience, he hopes — the most salient part of the show is human exploration, the simple idea of a young person living in LA and just "navigating life and dealing with their insecurities."</p><p>As the writer's room for season five of "Insecure" has reconvened virtually, it's an exploration set to continue. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px); data.width~540;"><div style="padding:8px;"><div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"><div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style="margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yN76_jsm7" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">@insecurewriters back to work for @insecurehbo Season 5. #insecurehbo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by  Issa Rae (@issarae) on May 4, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2020-05-04T23:37:53+00:00">May 4, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote><p>As for the Emmys, Penny said that on September 20, he would be watching "in quarantine" at home, hoping 2020 will prove to be better than anticipated.</p><p><strong>Read More: </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/issa-rae-donald-trump-insecure-tweet-response-2020-6">Issa Rae responded to Donald Trump liking a tweet about 'Insecure': 'What the f--- is this'</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/insecure-music-soundtrack-interview-2017-8">HBO's 'Insecure' has the hottest music on TV — we talked to the guy who puts it together</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/insecure-hbo-development-process-2017-2">How HBO changed the direction of 'Insecure' and ended up with a breakout hit</a></p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/emmy-nominated-shows-you-should-watch-2020-7">13 Emmy-nominated shows you might have missed, but should definitely watch</a></p>

You Searched For "yvonne orji" and got 13 results

Comedian Yvonne Orji says being a virgin at 39 is 'so much pressure' and she's ready for a 'good' man

Serafina Kenny

Issa and Lawrence's relationship in 'Insecure' has always been more believable because it wasn't perfect

Yasmin Garaad

Yvonne Orji on the lasting influence of 'Insecure': 'Our show was able to allow executives and creatives to see what is possible'

Zac Ntim

Issa Rae changed the ending of 'Insecure' just 2 weeks before the finale was supposed to be filmed

Yasmin Garaad

Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish say they have no interest in being invited to a karaoke party

Amanda Goh

Denise Dowse, actress on 'Beverly Hills, 90210' and 'Insecure' is dead at 64

Hannah Getahun

The first 'Insecure' season 5 trailer hints at drama to come with Condola and Lawrence's baby

Yasmin Garaad

'Insecure' star Natasha Rothwell reveals the sentimental gift she bought the cast for the final season

Yasmin Garaad

'Insecure' star Natasha Rothwell explains the moment writers decided Lawrence and Condola were having a baby

Joi-Marie McKenzie

Molly from HBO's 'Insecure' discusses fighting for equal pay and why she won't swear, even if the jokes are funnier

Carrie Wittmer

Issa Rae responded to Donald Trump liking a tweet about 'Insecure': 'What the f--- is this'

Libby Torres

If there's one highlight of 2020, it's that 'Insecure' is finally getting the credit it deserves

Zac Ntim

The comedy icon who spotted talent like Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle, and Michelle Wolf explains how she's done it

Richard Feloni,Sarah Wyman