Issa Rae's Favorite Advice: 'Don't Be Afraid To Be A Bitch'

'Insecure' star and showrunner Issa Rae used to be afraid of upsetting people in the industry. Then she got this piece of helpful advice.
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[@elizaheathen]

"You can't be a young person full of promise; you actually have to deliver on the promise at some point" "That sounded so wise...I wish you were around" had me dead--I wish Stephen could be around too

[@karmenjane1257]

He was sooo geeked when she responded to that with so much grace.

[@carlosquintero8188]

I have four words about Miss Rae: Intelligent, charming, funny and beautiful

[@frentz7]

she's the goat .. genius

[@bridgettedenise]

Issa so real. She feels like your home girl. Love her

[@DionnaHayden]

bridgettedenise My thoughts exactly!

[@TheRAH1]

She is rocking the hell out of that fitted sheet.

[@ShaunRachel-ux]

Rowbin Ashley 💀💀💀 Love her!

[@JuaniqueVerde]

😭😭😭😭

[@fiyinfoluwaaduke2025]

Rowbin Ashley Excuse me whilst I CHOKE 🤣

[@andyc411]

LOL Go to your room

[@charlesjohnson4921]

Dead 💀 but she is tho!

[@Kokoshannel666]

Drake was tryna Netflix and chill lmfao

[@KevinP32270]

Hell yeah

[@DionnaHayden]

🤣🤣🤣

[@brownietime902]

So her authentic self, and awkward. This is why her HBO show is so good. Well deserved 👏👍💯

[@landofmarkland]

This lady is BEAUTIFUL

[@sarahmichelle6385]

I love her, I want to either be her or be like her bestest friend. I wish I had her healthy skin and lovely aura.

[@Captain_Brown_Beard]

Yes, dont dare be envy of her intelligence or personality. Women..lol

[@leah4701]

dont forget be WITH her!

[@prestokrs1]

I could listen to her talk all day. She's so genuine

[@tanyaradzwachipangura4332]

I know right,l feel like l connected with her whilst watching insecure

[@MsZephyra]

The talent, the bright energy, the natural hair, the radiant smile...she is one of the most gorgeous women in the world, inside and out. #blackexcellence

[@trudytriad4574]

❤❤❤

[@nikolelynch6831]

she is gorgeous in every way

[@marjoriefreeman6160]

The magic of Issa is that she is herself, ALL THE TIME! Like the authenticity is literally... authentic haha, and I love it!

[@MG-jj3pn]

Her show is fantastic. She is smart and funny!

[@KO-OG-Passport-Bro-1997]

I like her but that show is fucking terrible...I stopped watching after 5 episodes!

[@lilypotter1930]

pipimp100 are you going to post this on every positive comment someone writes? Get a life. You’re clearly a fan.

[@KO-OG-Passport-Bro-1997]

Lily Potter Yep!!! I'm gonna post this shit every time I see YOU comment!!!

[@Eva_R966]

I'm so excited for season 3 of insecure! Issa has a great natural sense of humor

[@KO-OG-Passport-Bro-1997]

I like her but that show is fucking terrible...I stopped watching after 5 episodes!

[@Miamcoline]

What an incredibly charming person :)

[@luwamt6479]

The definition of girl boss. I love Issa Rae 👸🏾

[@luwamt6479]

Dee B well did you know the word "ngus or ngisti" it means king or queen. So black people can call whatever they want with each other because they can. black people are kings and queens. #blackgirlmagic #ilovebeingblack #blackismagicalandbeautiful

[@constantina348]

Issa if you are reading this, you are appreciated, you are very relateble! I don't have much but will always support you(a sip, insecure, t-shirts, soundtrack, movies..etc) Thank you!!!

[@teatm2333]

Constantina same

[@Topself24]

Her smile is amazing

[@blunderrated]

I can tell Stephen REALLY enjoyed her.

[@KENNECTED1]

I have loved Issa since Awkward Black Girl! I loved the characters on that series.

[@48mavemiss2]

KENNECTED i still go back and watch that series

[@48mavemiss2]

Book Snake ... okay 👌🏽

[@KENNECTED1]

Book Snake and what exactly does this have to do with Issa, LSSC or Insecure? You're comment makes absolutely no sense!

[@KENNECTED1]

Book Snake if you're actually saying that that is a clear indication you don't know the story behind the title nor the content of the web series. You posted your comment to start some shit and its backfired on you.

[@adamdevereaux2713]

HILARIOUS.

[@kitten7669]

#BlackGirlMagic ❤

[@galaxylucia1898]

The fact that Issa Rae gets so awkwardly starstruck around other celebs, I hope she doesn’t mind me (if I ever meet her) just fangirling so hard. She is so beautiful and effortlessly funny. What a GEM of a human being.

[@biggwillnyc4047]

What a beautiful woman. !!

[@Rita-kx3yr]

I remember watching her on KZbin as awkward black girl! She's grown so much and I'm so proud!!!!!! 😂

[@issaosama4937]

Isa Rae or isa bae 😂🤦‍♂️ I hate myself

[@sharronknight5504]

issa osama v

[@kitten7669]

issa osama love😂😂😂

[@aaliyahcollins9969]

Gold😭😂

[@BL3SSed-Bliss]

LOL at the irony of your moniker... and your misspelling of her name.

[@aaliyahcollins9969]

Dee B That's hilarious 😂😂

[@Posh_Spice89]

I’m like Issa. I hate to disappoint and put people out of their way.

[@mismay360]

I’ve been watching Issa since she started Awkward Black Girl... I feel like a proud cousin every time I see her!

[@Jaytheradical]

She is just *such* a cutie...

[@phillipbrown9842]

Her mentioning her mom not being the biggest fan at first was very transparent of her! Real one! Love the show.

[@rebeccatreeseed410]

Babe In Total Control of Herself

[@woganjones2012]

Issa is amazing. Insecure is fantastic. Great interview.

[@yas6156]

I think Issa was taking about Guillermo from Kimmel about the shots XD

[@JessKalinow]

+Lana his right hand man is Guillermo and he brought shoes full of tequila to the red carpet and gave people shots when he was interviewing them haha

[@ilaphroaig]

Beautiful funny woman.

[@LadyNabilicious]

So proud of her. Get it Mama!

[@loo2400]

She does not have to be a bitch. She can be stern, assertive and honest about how she feels. HOLY SHIT.

[@TheRAH1]

Stephen clearly doesn’t watch her show, but he could have at least watched the trailer. That question about her family was so off base.

[@aleandrade1941]

yeah I was kinda disappointed about that, he's missing out insecure is a great show!

[@AdanBean]

The question was off but he was likely prompted to ask something along the lines of “get Issa to discuss her family’s reaction to the show” based on the pre-interview that’s done between the show and Issa’s team. She does an interview with Ebro in the Morning on Hot97 where she tells the same Mom/porn story but Ebro gets there without the off base question Stephen asks here.

[@Angie-nb4pg]

This woman has no idea how much she inspires me 💗

[@terrylevert3547]

God I love my black women 😍

[@Miss_Molly_B]

She's so dreamy

[@kristalraquel551]

I knew she would be a star since ABG times!!!

[@kalevala29]

she's beautiful. good interview

[@aaliyahcollins9969]

6:29 When somebody offer me food but they house dirty.

[@sydneystoudmire8381]

Aaliyah Collins that was perfect lol

[@hotlocet]

lmao

[@mehwishkhan9671]

Someone needs to gif that part - so good

[@deelish22]

Lol, Drake wanted to Netflix and chill with Issa Rae

[@Snowshowslow]

I had never heard of Issa Rae or Insecure before, but after this interview I am definitely going to check it out!

[@faithtlou3051]

Come back with feedback!!!!

[@thisworld9352]

She’s lovely! I think it would be really fun to hang out with her

[@PNWlover]

She’s gorgeous!

[@truthteller3181]

I think Stephen has a crush on Isa

[@clarence.anderson]

Has a crush on black people in general 🤣

[@saniahprater897]

Clarence Anderson Ong Lmaoo he’s always blushing😂

[@karagillis5739]

Issa, you are #goalz. Smart, powerful, confident, witty, hilarious, and fashionable.

[@thembicosta4394]

Da dress da Hur yes lady, Congratulations you are killing it!

[@kaalkaczmarek9284]

Issa fab

[@Iamniko__]

That band though! Perfect timing so professional! Lol love Issa. This quarantine is having me rewatch all her interviews lol

[@blondecoffee6332]

Gorgeous woman.

[@MsZephyra]

Am I the only one who thinks that Issa looks kind of like Keira Knightley (cheekbones and smile!)

[@MichelMawon4982]

Agreed

[@mykiamoto7145]

Hell no

[@selalewis9189]

Only a little bit.

[@notjanebond8509]

+MsZephyra shoulda gon to SpecSavers luv

[@TANZIBABY08]

The structure of her smile yes. That's funny.

[@Dodgers3435]

She is so gorgeous!!!!

[@MeMe-ht2hd]

I watch her show "Insecure" on HBO you guys have to watch it is so relatable if you have a fire stick use it watch now it's funny as hell!!!

[@millymillymilly]

QUEEN

[@InsaneKahuna]

pass

[@millymillymilly]

wmwflwsbs cool story bro.

[@lela658]

So genuine and so beautiful! 💞

[@sabberi]

STILL DRE and GET BY Let's go Jon, love it

[@geraldinerodriguez8372]

Lmfao shes the same as she acts on the show.....love u!!

[@JuaniqueVerde]

This dress!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@christinakcover]

We *LOVE* you ISSA!!!!

[@ashxiong]

Loooove Issa and Insecure!

[@ONEavarielle]

i hop on a Issa binge when i need inspirationnn, just love this woman.

[@universal7564]

Lovely, hopefully she'll get bigger and bigger, professionally. lolz

[@serious7179]

FreeWorldChannel lol...i was reading the first part of your statement like, "well that's awkward"...

[@SAMZIRRA]

It seems like these two have know each other for decades with how comfortable they are talking to each other.

[@LindaMitchell]

Great advice! Issa Rae is so inspiring. Love her and the show.

[@sharoncohen318]

Issa and Stephen are so smart, kinda sad to see them reduced to discussing celebrity gossip.

[@DragoNYC]

Issa Rae is so beautiful

[@9290SC]

JUST started watching Insecure (starting from S1. She's freaking hilarious! Good show😂

[@yas6156]

Good Lord Jon Batiste, what an intro

[@MissFunkyJuice]

I SWEEEAR nobody's talking about it !

[@drbxgirl]

I just love her!! Can't wait for the new season

[@ulisesrodriguez9469]

Side eye!..... Front eye hahahahaha

[@lolzgurl966]

Colbert should be president of the universe. He has my vote a hundred billion light speed times. 🌌🌍🌎🌏

[@ismailsheik1627]

The band is great! "Still Dre" and then "Get By" for the outro.

[@chicadetierra]

She is one of my favorites! ❤️❤️❤️

[@christinagomez1334]

THAT DRESS... YES QUEEN

[@serious7179]

She's gorgeous

[@kirill76kuzmin]

She is a great actress. She knows acting. For sure.

[@antonygicira4142]

such a brilliant woman.

[@sweetelixirofficial]

I would love to see her and Tiffany Haddish in a movie together!! ❤️❤️🤯

[@fmpparker9135]

2 words for why I love being a black woman issa rae

[@nessedup274]

Great interview!

[@rob_4227]

To get ahead you gotta step out in front and innovate or buck the status quo. Everyone has some nasty name for people who do that 🤣

[@phoeberivers1472]

I used to watch her Awkward Black Girl web series and its fucking amazing to see her still creating and getting the shine she deserves

[@47and28]

It's a double edge sword. lots of business's say they want talent that is different and non conformist. but when you are that, you're labeled "difficult to work with."

[@FrannieMC69]

I like her. Talented young woman.

[@kaecheliburd]

"And walk away...." I just smile from afar cuz *glitchy*

[@jslowery99]

Okay, I love her now!

[@rehanmemon3969]

Ditto.

[@LJdaentertainer]

Sad!

[@marymayer4875]

IKR?

[@JessicaAMuldrow]

Go find Awkward Black Girl

[@luvmoney9262]

My daughter LUVS her show...ROCK ON ISSA...REAL TALK!!!

[@aidasall4815]

ugh QUEENNNN

[@bl6516]

Love her sooooo much! 😍

[@k.m5308]

She can do no wrong.. love her.

[@jrlottery7]

Luv, luv, luv u Issa! Congrats on the nomination!

[@graceandmarvellouswonders6249]

I’m so glad she moves her head, cause I’m taking detailed notes on that hair baby!! Goals and very Regal!!!

[@tchalla8411]

Pretty!

[@1ndonlywill]

she is amazing, I love her

[@laurenchristine9209]

Pretty sure Ellen DeGeneres is the "news organization" handing out shots

[@sashav.3189]

That was a great interview, loved their raptor and Issa always looks flawless and natural, I love it.

[@jstratospherik3127]

Oh snap. Like the dinosaur?

[@rachelniyonsaba3039]

I love her, been watching her since youtube videos awkward black girl...she's such an inspiration

[@cjwallace4559]

I love that she lives herself...naturally