Rachel Sennott discussing her uproarious series portraying the grotty glamour of Gen Z lifestyle

The star appears on the online meeting and at once launches into an explanation. “Apologies for the delay!” she exclaims, sounding genuinely regretful. Although she's only a bit delayed, she needs to explain. “I have such a problem, because I’m a yapper on the phone. “Earlier calls made me late—I just can’t stop chatting!” Thankfully, during an interview, this is exactly what you want to hear. Besides, it’s quite expected. Those who know the unapologetically queer and unapologetically crass project titled Bottoms—that she co-wrote with Emma Seligman and starred in with her friend the talented actress—can already know that she holds much to share, ranging from about gender, sex, or the merits of starting a teen brawl society. Plus, after watching her latest multi-episode program titled I Love LA, it becomes obvious that she has further insights regarding the challenges of young adulthood (As a millennial, she is a relatable figure of the gang, a tale-end millennial adept for connecting millennials and Gen Z).

Influences and Storytelling Approach

Parallels to Lena Dunham’s Girls naturally arise and Sennott is a fan, referencing the show together with the classic series, Issa Rae’s show and Atlanta as guides for her series, which follows the struggles of online personality Tallulah and ally and fledgling agent Sennott’s character. Notably, the most significant influence on creative vision went to the popular sitcom, the HBO sitcom focusing on a rising Hollywood star making his way in a gritty Hollywood (choice quote: “only the unsuccessful find joy here”). She started watching it amid COVID-19, became “hooked”, and resolved to put her own twist on it “targeting women and LGBTQ+ viewers”.

“I sought to highlight online platforms as the new industry, since my professional journey launched there,” she notes. The inspiration for this project originated—in part—from firsthand, initially rocky, transition to LA and from the astrological phase, a frequently discussed event for enthusiasts. It was an era that saw her learn some big life lessons, in her career and individually. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she admits. “Settling in LA during my mid-twenties brought calm, but soon everything unraveled.” It was almost like these biblical tests …”

Humble Origins

Raised in Connecticut, the star commenced writing and performing humor while studying theatre at a prestigious arts school. “I went through all the proper channels to try to perform, and they weren’t gelling,” she states. “Auditions for university comedy troupes led to universal rejection. “None of the university plays cast me either.” And I just felt like, what am I doing here?”

She decided to act independently, taking the stage at live shows with Edebiri and posting hysterical (and decidedly) bizarre comedy videos digitally. One, titled Baby Cult, followed a group of women obsessively fixated on pregnancy; a different one envisioned working at the brand Hollister as like being stuck in a scary movie. In a neat twist of fate, she connected with Emma through campus film circles and eventually featuring in her directorial debut, titled Shiva Baby, a tense comedy set at a religious event with hints of the intense thriller. The central motif of her path, she notes, has been people her own age giving her a shot, as opposed to the industry at large. So, not the gatekeepers, then? “They were not involved”, she emphasizes, stating with a laugh: “Our victory isn’t their goal.”

Career Breakthrough

Those who questioned regarding her then will likely be kicking themselves currently. In what she calls a “wild, full-circle” story, she has manifested her dream vehicle. In 2019 she shared a video titled “it’s LA” on social media, in which she mocked movie previews (“I’m addicted to drugs – we all are”). Years later, she’s the co-showrunner (with her partner) of a series about city dwellers balancing advantages of online celebrity (such as socializing at a famous actor’s house) with downsides (your friend being labeled as being a substance-abusing criminal, and potentially becoming a “brand unsafe” pariah). It would be easy to produce a series about internet celebrity that was extremely aspirational—or, worse, one that punched down at its subjects. I Love LA avoids both, creating a portrait of advantaged twentysomething life that’s candid about the grot and the shine.

Balanced Perspective

“Many programs portray youth and online life with disdain and mockery,” she comments. “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

Kara Lopez
Kara Lopez

Futurist and tech journalist exploring emerging trends and their impact on humanity.