The star joins the digital interview and at once begins an apology. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she exclaims, sounding truly apologetic. Despite being only a couple of minutes delayed, she wants to justify. “I tend to talk too much during calls. “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Thankfully, in this context, this is exactly what one hopes to hear. Moreover, it’s fairly predictable. Those familiar with her fearlessly queer and unapologetically crass project titled Bottoms—that Sennott collaborated on with Emma Seligman and featured in alongside close companion the talented actress—will be aware that she holds a lot to share, whether on identity, sex, or the pros of creating a high-school brawl society. Furthermore, by the end the new seasonal show I Love LA, it is clear that she has even more perspectives about the struggles of modern youth (Now in her thirties, she serves as a relatable figure of the gang, on the cusp adept for bridging millennials and Gen Z).
Guiding Lights and Creative Vision
Parallels to Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking show are inevitable and Sennott readily acknowledges a fan, naming it in addition to the HBO hit, Insecure and the innovative program as influences for the project, which details the journey of a social media star Tallulah and close companion and fledgling agent portrayed by Sennott. Perhaps, the biggest influence on the moodboard went to Entourage, the program depicting an up-and-coming celebrity making his way in an often-seedy entertainment industry (choice quote: “nobody’s happy in this town except for the losers”). Sennott started watching it during COVID-19, became “obsessed”, and resolved to create a new version on it “targeting women and LGBTQ+ viewers”.
“My aim was to focus on digital fame over traditional entertainment, as my own beginnings were on the web,” she explains. The idea for the series originated—to some extent—from her own, initially fractious, relocation to Los Angeles and from the cosmic event, a frequently discussed occurrence for followers. That period marked a phase that saw her learn significant insights, professionally and personally. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she admits. “After relocating to Los Angeles in my mid-twenties, I found stability, only for things to crumble. “It resembled a series of extreme challenges…”
Starting Out
Brought up in New England, the star commenced developing and showcasing stand-up while pursuing theatre at NYU’s Tisch. “I followed traditional paths to get on stage, but nothing clicked,” she explains. “Auditions for university comedy troupes led to universal rejection. “Theatre productions at school also didn’t accept me. “I wondered why I was even there at all.”
Sennott decided to act independently, appearing at amateur nights with Ayo and uploading hysterical (and very) unconventional comedy videos digitally. One, Baby Cult, followed several females obsessively fixated on motherhood; another imagined working at the preppy clothing store Hollister as akin to being stuck in a scary movie. By chance, she encountered Emma through the university’s film scene and eventually starring in her directorial debut, Shiva Baby, a stressful comedy set at a Jewish wake with echoes of the intense thriller. The central motif of her journey, she notes, has been peers supporting her, as opposed to traditional networks. Does that mean bypassing the usual powers? “Definitely not them”, she repeats, adding humorously: “Our victory isn’t their goal.”
Manifesting Dreams
Individuals who had doubts about her previously will certainly be kicking themselves now. As part of she labels a “incredibly circular” development, she has manifested the perfect project. In 2019 she posted content named about Los Angeles on social media, in which she parodied movie previews (“Everyone’s hooked on something”). Now, she’s a lead creator (with the co-writer) of a series about LA residents balancing the perks of digital stardom (such as socializing at a famous actor’s house) with downsides (your client being suspected of being a substance-abusing thief, and possibly becoming a “brand unsafe” pariah). It would be simple to produce a show about internet celebrity that was extremely aspirational—or, worse, one that mocked at its subjects. I Love LA steers clear of each, creating a representation of privileged twentysomething existence that’s frank about the grot and the shine.
Balanced Perspective
“Numerous series present younger generations and digital culture in a derogatory manner,” 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
