Rachel Sennott on the hilarious show portraying the grotty allure of today's youth existence
Rachel Sennott enters the online meeting and at once begins an apology. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she exclaims, seeming really remorseful. Although she's only slightly behind, she feels compelled to clarify. “I have such a problem, because I’m a yapper on the phone. I had two calls before this, and I’m like, I’ve gotta stop talking!” Fortunately, during an interview, that’s exactly what is ideal to encounter. Additionally, it’s quite predictable. Those who know her boldly openly gay and outspoken film titled Bottoms—which Sennott co-wrote with Emma Seligman and featured in together with her friend The Bear’s standout—can already know that she possesses much to share, ranging from about roles, relationships, or the merits of forming a teen combat group. Furthermore, once you finish her recent eight-part show titled I Love LA, it is clear that she has even more perspectives on the struggles of young adulthood (As a millennial, she is an honorary member for this generation, on the cusp skilled for straddling different age groups).
Inspirations and Creative Vision
Parallels to the iconic series Girls naturally arise and Sennott admits to being a fan, citing it alongside Sex and the City, Insecure and the innovative program as guides for her series, which details the struggles of an influencer Tallulah and ally and aspiring agent Sennott’s character. Notably, the biggest presence on the moodboard belonged to the popular sitcom, that program about an emerging A-list actor navigating in an often-seedy LA scene (memorable line: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). She began viewing it during lockdown, became “captivated”, 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 says. The idea for this project originated—partly—from personal, initially rocky, relocation to Tinseltown and from her astrological phase, a much-talked-about phenomenon for astrology heads. That period marked an era that included her learn major truths, work-wise and individually. “In my early 20s I was so messy, crying in public everywhere, all the time,” she says. “In my mid-20s, I moved to LA and got settled. And then I felt like everything started to just fall apart. It was almost like these biblical tests …”
Starting Out
Growing up in the East Coast, Sennott commenced developing and showcasing stand-up while enrolled in acting at New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. “Despite trying every conventional route, I couldn’t find my footing,” she states. “I tried out for all the NYU comedy groups, and got rejected from all of them. “Theatre productions at school also didn’t accept me. And I just felt like, what am I doing here?”
Sennott took matters into her own hands, performing at open mics with her friend and sharing hilarious (and very) unconventional online content online. One, Baby Cult, followed a group of women fetishistically drawn to having babies; a different one envisioned working at the brand Hollister as akin to being trapped in a horror film. Interestingly, she encountered Seligman through the university’s film scene and eventually appearing in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a tense comedy set at a religious event with echoes of the intense thriller. The big theme of her career, she notes, has been peers giving her a shot, instead of the industry at large. So, not the gatekeepers, then? “Definitely not them”, she confirms, stating amusedly: “Our victory isn’t their goal.”
Rising Success
Individuals who questioned regarding Sennott then will surely be regretting it currently. As part of she calls a “incredibly circular” development, she seems to have created her dream vehicle. In 2019 she posted a video called on LA life on the internet, in which she lampooned Hollywood trailers (“Everyone’s hooked on something”). Now, she’s the co-showrunner (with her partner) of a series about LA residents juggling the perks of digital stardom (such as celebrating at a famous actor’s house) with its pitfalls (your client being labeled as being a intoxicated thief, and perhaps becoming a “brand unsafe” persona non grata). One might tempting to produce a program about internet celebrity that was overly glamorous—or, even less favorable, one that punched down at its subjects. This show avoids both, creating a depiction of privileged young adult living that’s candid about the grot and the glamour.
Balanced Perspective
“Many programs portray youth and online life with disdain and mockery,” she says. “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