The actress and writer on the hilarious series depicting that grotty glamour of today's youth lifestyle
The performer appears on the digital interview and at once begins an explanation. “Apologies for the delay!” she exclaims, appearing genuinely apologetic. Although she's only slightly behind, she needs to clarify. “My phone conversations always run long.” I had two calls before this, and I’m like, I’ve gotta stop talking!” Thankfully, for a writer, that’s just what one hopes to experience. Moreover, it’s fairly expected. Those familiar with her unapologetically openly gay and unapologetically crass project Bottoms—which she co-wrote with Emma Seligman and featured in alongside close companion the talented actress—will be aware that Sennott possesses a lot to discuss, whether on identity, relationships, or the merits of starting a youth combat group. Plus, after watching her recent multi-episode HBO series I Love LA, viewers realize that the star holds even more insights regarding the struggles of Gen Z life (As a millennial, she is a bridge to younger audiences, on the cusp skilled for straddling different age groups).
Inspirations and Artistic Direction
Parallels to Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking show naturally arise and Sennott admits to being enthusiastic, referencing the show alongside the HBO hit, Issa Rae’s show and the innovative program as influences for I Love LA, which follows the journey of online personality Tallulah and ally and aspiring representative Maia. However, the biggest spot on the moodboard belonged to Entourage, the HBO sitcom about an up-and-coming Hollywood star making his way in an often-seedy entertainment industry (notable statement: “happiness eludes everyone but failures in this city”). She discovered it throughout lockdown, became “hooked”, 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 inspiration for this project emerged—in part—from personal, at first difficult, relocation to LA and from the astrological phase, a frequently discussed occurrence for enthusiasts. It was a time that saw her understand some big truths, work-wise and in private life. “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 resembled a series of extreme challenges…”
Humble Origins
Brought up in the East Coast, the star commenced writing and performing humor while pursuing theatre at a prestigious arts school. “I followed traditional paths to get on stage, but nothing clicked,” she says. “Every campus humor group turned me down after tryouts.” “Theatre productions at school also didn’t accept me. “I wondered why I was even there at all.”
She seized control, taking the stage at open mics with Edebiri and posting hysterical (and very) weird online content digitally. One, titled Baby Cult, followed several females obsessively drawn to having babies; a different one imagined working at a trendy retail outlet as similar to being trapped in a thriller. By chance, she encountered Emma through the university’s film scene and eventually featuring in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a tense comedy set at a funeral gathering with echoes of the intense thriller. A recurring idea of her path, she says, has been people her own age giving her a shot, as opposed to the industry at large. Does that mean bypassing the usual powers? “Definitely not them”, she emphasizes, stating amusedly: “They don’t want us to win.”
Career Breakthrough
Individuals who had doubts regarding her then will surely be regretting it today. As part of she labels a “astonishingly complete” turn of events, she seems to have manifested an ideal role. In 2019 she posted a video called “it’s LA” online, in which she parodied film promos (“I’m addicted to drugs – we all are”). Years later, she’s executive producer (with her partner) of a series about LA residents managing benefits of internet fame (such as socializing at Elijah Wood’s house) with drawbacks (your associate being accused of being a substance-abusing thief, and possibly becoming a unreliable outcast). Some could tempting to produce a series about online fame that was horribly glamorous—or, worse, one that belittled at those depicted. The series steers clear of each, creating a representation of affluent young adult life that’s frank about the chaos and the shine.
Nuanced Portrayal
“Numerous series present younger generations and digital culture in a derogatory manner,” 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