January 31st 2024.
Just weeks after HBO made the decision to cancel her show Rap Sh!t, Issa Rae is speaking out against the lack of representation for people of color in the entertainment industry. As the creator and star of the hit HBO show Insecure, Issa enjoyed five successful seasons before deciding to end the show on her own terms. This opened up space for new projects that she had planned for her dedicated fans. Along with Insecure, Issa also produced shows like Rap Sh!t, Sweet Life: Los Angeles, and A Black Lady Sketch Show for HBO Max.
Unfortunately, the transition hasn't gone as smoothly as she had hoped. In the last year, all three of her shows were canceled by HBO Max. And according to Issa, there may be a larger issue at play. "It's already happening," she shared in an interview with Net-A-Porter. "You're seeing so many Black shows get canceled, you're seeing executives on the DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] side lose their jobs. It's becoming clear that our stories are not a priority."
Her concerns were further validated when Variety published a study revealing that many major studios failed to fulfill their promises to hire more diverse filmmakers in 2020. Issa was well aware of this reality and it left her feeling pessimistic. "There's no one holding anybody accountable," she explained. "And while I can try to do my part, there's only so much I can do. I can't force someone to produce my content. It's made me consider taking more steps towards independence in the future."
Looking ahead, Issa shared her desire to transition towards service in the next 10 years. "While my career in Hollywood is fun, at some point it won't feel like enough," she said. "I want to be able to do more." This is also a reflection of her upbringing, having spent part of her childhood in Senegal.
In the midst of all this, Issa also faced backlash for the cover of Vogue featuring Usher for the Super Bowl. Many criticized the magazine for placing Usher in the background, questioning why he wasn't given a more prominent role. But despite the challenges and setbacks, Issa remains determined to push forward and create meaningful change in the industry. She is a true inspiration and a force to be reckoned with.
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