Issa Rae is the Cover Star for new issue of Complex Magazine, Talks 'Insecure'

Payback comes in many forms. Sometimes it's financial—cash, or something close to liquid. Other times it's an act of righteous revenge. Or it can be both, simultaneously: "Best revenge is your paper." Issa Rae paid her dues, working her way from a YouTube webseries called The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl to a successful show with HBO, Insecure, and roles in upcoming feature films. She's getting her piece of the American pie after years of struggling to find the proper support for her creative vision. (The years-long journey from YouTube to a scrapped project with ABC to HBO was anything but smooth.) Now that she's here, she's making sure to give opportunities to other women and people of color—opportunities that otherwise wouldn't have been available without someone on the inside pushing for them.

Born in Los Angeles

32 years ago, Rae came of age in the city's Windsor Hills neighborhood, where Insecure often shoots. The show follows Issa, played by Rae, as she navigates an unfulfilling nonprofit education job and a complicated relationship with her long-time boyfriend (and now ex) Lawrence, played by Jay Ellis. Equally rich and intricate is her friendship with Molly, played by Yvonne Orji, who is a successful lawyer. It's a 30-minute, slice-of-life comedy with a killer soundtrack, a sincere appreciation for rap, and lived-in contemporary detail.

Speaking with Complex in 2016, Rae made it clear what Insecure is not. "I don’t want people to watch this show and assume this is the black female experience," she said. "It’s not. There will be stuff that any black woman who watches the show can relate to and there will be stuff where they’re like, 'Oh, that’s not me.' The most important thing is telling a very specific, authentic story, not trying to answer for all black people."

As it returns for its second season on July 23, in a Sunday night lineup that includes HBO's most watched show, Game of Thrones, Insecure will likely find an even bigger audience for the specific, authentic story of its multifaceted characters. But for her first appearance on the Complex Cover, the stage is Issa's.

Read the full interview on www.complex.com

Credits
Brand: Complex Magazine | @complex Photography: Sarah McColgan | @sarahmccolgan Styling: Jason Bolden | @jasonbolden Hair: Felicia Leatherwood | @lovingyourhair Makeup: Joanna Simkin | @joannasimkin