Issa Rae has criticized TV bosses for not doing enough to tell black stories despite studio promises to increase diversity on screens.
The Barbie and Insecure actress, who is originally from Maryland but now lives in LA, made the comments after two shows she worked on were canceled.
The 39-year-old actress, writer and producer burst onto the scene in 2010 with the YouTube series The Mis-Adventures of an Awkward Black Girl and her star has only continued to rise since then.
However, in recent weeks two of the shows she was a producer on have been canceled by TV bosses; Rap S***, which received a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
After both programs were canceled, the actress addressed the networks and said she was “pessimistic” about the future of black stories told on screens big and small.
Actress, producer and writer Issa Rae (pictured) has criticized the film and television industry for its lack of diverse productions
“You see very clearly now that our stories are becoming less of a priority,” Issa told Net-A-Porter.
The daughter of a Senegalese and American teacher, Issa demonstrated her commitment to sharing Black stories from a young age.
While studying at Stanford University, she founded a theater group to bring such stories to the stage.
And since founding her production company Hoorae Media, Issa has dedicated resources to creating stories that represent the Black community.
However, she told the network she was concerned about the number of Black TV shows not being renewed for new seasons.
“You see so many Black shows being canceled, you see so many leaders — especially in DEI.” [diversity, equity and inclusion] “By the way – get locked up,” she said.
Following the killing of George Floyd in 2020 and the Black Lives Matter movement that followed, television studios committed to rethinking their employment practices to increase diversity.
However, a 2023 study from the University of Southern California found that many of these commitments were never implemented because studios still did not produce films starring people of color.
Her criticism follows HBO's decision to ax Rap S*** (a scene from the series is pictured), which she created and executive produced. The show follows two estranged high school friends from outside Miami who reunite to form an all-female rap group in hopes of breaking into the music industry
The study found that in 2022, the number of films with lead actors from ethnic minorities fell to just 31 in 2021, compared to 37 the previous year.
“I’m pessimistic because there’s no one holding anyone accountable,” Issa said of the lack of progress.
She continued, “And I can do that, sure, but also at what cost? I can't force you to do my things.”
Issa's Rap S*** ended after its second season, which ended on December 21st when Max (formerly HBO Max) did not renew the show.
The series was Rae's follow-up to her popular HBO series Insecure, which she starred in for five seasons on the cable network through 2021.
Although Rae – whose Barbie film recently received multiple SAG nominations – didn't star in the series, she was the creator and executive producer, with Syreeta Singleton also serving as executive producer and showrunner.
Rae created and produced the series alongside Syreeta Singleton, who also served as showrunner. Rae pictured in LA in July 2022
“Rap S***” was Rae’s scripted follow-up to her acclaimed HBO series “Insecure” (pictured). She can currently be seen in Barbie and American Fiction
“I am so proud and grateful for Syreeta, our cast, writers and crew who made this show possible,” Rae said in a statement to Variety. “Thank you to Sarah Aubrey and Suzanna Makkos for championing the show, and lots of love to the fans who tuned in weekly to cheer on our girls.”
Rap S*** followed the journey of two former high school friends Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who rekindled their friendship years later in Miami.
The reunited friends form their own rap duo with the goal of making it big in the music industry.
Rae's Insecure character also aspired to be a rapper at the start of the series, although subsequent seasons largely abandoned that storyline and instead focused on her dramatic romantic relationships.
“I love this show and am so proud of the work we have done,” Singleton said in her own statement. “We created something fun, raw and original and did it our way!” I will forever be grateful to Issa, our incredible cast, the amazing writers and crew who made this show possible. And I’m so grateful to Max for giving us the chance to bring rap s*** to the screen.”
The Barbie star (Issa is featured in the hit film) said diversity and inclusion forums rarely bear fruit
In a statement, Max thanked Rae “for creating Rap S***, a unique comedy with compelling social commentary that reached viewers in a way only Issa's talents can.”
“A big thank you to Issa, showrunner Syreeta Singleton, and the teams at Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment for introducing us to Shawna and Mia, a duo whose journey fans have invested in and continued to root for through it all.” added a spokesperson for the streamer. “We will never get Seduce and Intrigue out of our minds and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Although it didn't win any major awards, it received nominations at the Gotham Awards for “Breakthrough Series” and a Best Actor nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards for “KaMillion.”
At the NAACP Image Awards, Rap S*** was nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, while Singleton was nominated in the Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television) category.
The second season of Rap S*** was supposed to premiere on Max on August 10th last year, but the long-term actors' strike forced the show on hold until November 9th.
The series was a hit with critics from the start, with both seasons receiving an astounding 100% fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Following her appearance in “Barbie,” Rae will be seen again in the critically acclaimed film satire “American Fiction,” which stars Jeffrey Wright and is an adaptation of Percival Everett's acclaimed 2001 novel “Erasure.”