The performer appears on the digital interview and immediately launches into an excuse. “Apologies for the delay!” she states, appearing truly apologetic. She is only a couple of minutes late, she feels compelled 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!” Fortunately, in this context, this is just what one hopes to experience. Besides, it’s quite expected. Viewers familiar with the unapologetically queer and outspoken film Bottoms—which Sennott collaborated on with her creative partner and featured in with collaborator the talented actress—would understand that she has a lot to say, ranging from on identity, intimacy, or the merits of starting a high-school combat group. Furthermore, by the end the latest eight-part program titled I Love LA, viewers realize that she holds additional perspectives regarding the challenges of Gen Z life (At 30, she is a relatable figure of the gang, straddling eras with a knack for bridging both generations).
Inspirations and Artistic Direction
Likenesses to Lena Dunham’s Girls naturally arise and the actress readily acknowledges a fan, referencing the show in addition to the HBO hit, Issa Rae’s show and Atlanta as inspirations for her series, which follows the journey of an influencer Tallulah and close companion who is also new agent Sennott’s character. However, the largest presence on creative vision went to Entourage, that show focusing on an emerging Hollywood star succeeding in an often-seedy Hollywood (memorable line: “happiness eludes everyone but failures in this city”). Sennott started watching it during the pandemic, became “captivated”, and decided to add a fresh perspective on it “for the girls and the gays”.
“I wanted to make a show where the internet, not Hollywood, was the industry, because my career started online,” she notes. The concept for I Love LA emerged—partly—from firsthand, initially difficult, transition to Tinseltown and from the astrological phase, a much-talked-about phenomenon for enthusiasts. It was a phase that involved her learn major insights, work-wise and in private life. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she admits. “In my mid-20s, I moved to LA and got settled. And then I felt like everything started to just fall apart. “It resembled a series of extreme challenges…”
Early Beginnings
Growing up in New England, Sennott began creating and acting comedy while pursuing acting at NYU’s Tisch. “Despite trying every conventional route, I couldn’t find my footing,” she explains. “Every campus humor group turned me down after tryouts.” “None of the university plays cast me either.” “It left me questioning my purpose and place.”
Sennott decided to act independently, performing at amateur nights with Ayo and posting uproarious (and very) unconventional skits on the internet. A particular video, titled Baby Cult, depicted a group of women fetishistically fixated on pregnancy; a different one imagined working at the brand Hollister as similar to being trapped in a scary movie. By chance, she connected with Emma through NYU’s movie community and eventually appearing in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a stressful comedy set at a religious event with hints of the Safdie brothers’ movie. A recurring idea of her path, she says, has been people her own age offering opportunities, rather than the industry at large. So the old guard wasn’t helpful? “Not the gatekeepers”, she confirms, adding amusedly: “They prefer we don’t succeed.”
Manifesting Dreams
Individuals who questioned regarding her then will likely be kicking themselves currently. As part of she calls a “incredibly circular” development, she appears to manifested an ideal role. Previously she shared a video titled about Los Angeles on the internet, in which she parodied film promos (“Substance abuse is rampant here”). Now, she’s executive producer (with her partner) of a show about city dwellers juggling the perks of internet fame (such as partying at a celebrity’s house) with downsides (your associate being labeled as being a intoxicated thief, and potentially becoming a risky persona non grata). It would be simple to create a show about internet celebrity that was extremely idealized—or, more problematic, one that punched down at those depicted. I Love LA does neither, making for a portrait of privileged twentysomething living that’s candid about the mess and the shine.
Nuanced Portrayal
“There have been a lot of shows that depict young people and their relationship to the internet in this very condescending, hateful way,” 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
