The actress and writer on the uproarious series depicting that chaotic allure of Gen Z life
The performer appears on the online meeting and immediately launches into an excuse. “Apologies for the delay!” she exclaims, seeming genuinely apologetic. Although she's only a couple of minutes delayed, she needs to justify. “My phone conversations always run long.” “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Luckily, during an interview, this is exactly what you want to experience. Additionally, it’s pretty expected. Viewers who have seen the fearlessly queer and unapologetically crass project titled Bottoms—that she penned with Emma Seligman and featured in together with collaborator Ayo Edebiri—can understand that she possesses plenty to discuss, whether about roles, relationships, or the appeal of forming a youth brawl society. And, once you finish the new eight-part show I Love LA, it becomes obvious that the star holds even more perspectives on the struggles of young adulthood (As a millennial, Sennott serves as a relatable figure of the gang, straddling eras adept for straddling both generations).
Inspirations and Artistic Direction
Parallels to Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking show naturally arise and Sennott is a fan, citing the show alongside the HBO hit, the acclaimed comedy and the innovative program as guides for her series, which follows the journey of online personality Tallulah and her friend and fledgling representative Maia. Perhaps, the most significant influence on the moodboard belonged to the popular sitcom, that program depicting an emerging celebrity succeeding in a corrupt LA scene (choice quote: “nobody’s happy in this town except for the losers”). Sennott began viewing it throughout COVID-19, became “hooked”, and resolved to add a fresh perspective on it “targeting women and LGBTQ+ viewers”.
“I sought to highlight online platforms as the new industry, since my professional journey launched there,” she explains. The concept for the series originated—partly—from her own, originally fractious, transition to Los Angeles and from her cosmic event, a popular phenomenon for astrology heads. It was a phase that included her understand significant truths, in her career and individually. “In my early 20s I was so messy, crying in public everywhere, all the time,” she admits. “After relocating to Los Angeles in my mid-twenties, I found stability, only for things to crumble. It was almost like these biblical tests …”
Humble Origins
Growing up in New England, the star commenced developing and showcasing humor while enrolled in performance at NYU’s Tisch. “I followed traditional paths to get on stage, but nothing clicked,” she states. “Auditions for university comedy troupes led to universal rejection. “Theatre productions at school also didn’t accept me. “It left me questioning my purpose and place.”
She seized control, taking the stage at open mics with Ayo and uploading hysterical (and very) unconventional skits digitally. One, titled Baby Cult, followed a group of women intensely obsessed with having babies; a different one imagined working at a trendy retail outlet as like being caught in a thriller. In a neat twist of fate, she encountered Seligman through the university’s film scene and ended up starring in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a tense dramedy set at a Jewish wake with hints of Uncut Gems. A recurring idea of her career, she notes, has been peers offering opportunities, as opposed to established gatekeepers. So the old guard wasn’t helpful? “Not the gatekeepers”, she confirms, stating with a laugh: “They prefer we don’t succeed.”
Career Breakthrough
Anyone who had doubts regarding her then will surely be feeling foolish currently. As part of she calls a “astonishingly complete” story, she seems to have created an ideal role. A few years back she posted content titled about Los Angeles on social media, in which she mocked Hollywood trailers (“Everyone’s hooked on something”). Now, she’s the co-showrunner (with her partner) of a show about city dwellers managing benefits of digital stardom (such as socializing at a celebrity’s house) with drawbacks (your client being accused of being a intoxicated stealer, and potentially becoming a risky pariah). Some could easy to make a show about internet celebrity that was horribly glamorous—or, worse, one that punched down at its subjects. The series steers clear of each, making for a representation of affluent millennial existence that’s candid about the grot and the glamour.
Nuanced Portrayal
“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
