Rachel Sennott exploring her hilarious show about the grotty appeal of today's youth existence

Rachel Sennott joins the digital interview and immediately begins an apology. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she exclaims, appearing truly remorseful. She is only slightly delayed, she wants to clarify. “I have such a problem, because I’m a yapper on the phone. “Previous discussions went over, and I realized I talk too much!” Luckily, for a writer, that’s just what is ideal to encounter. Besides, it’s pretty expected. Anyone familiar with the unapologetically openly gay and unapologetically crass project Bottoms—which Sennott collaborated on with the director and featured in with collaborator the talented actress—would be aware that she has much to say, ranging from about gender, relationships, or the pros of forming a high-school fight club. Plus, by the end the latest multi-episode show I Love LA, it becomes obvious that the star carries even more perspectives on the challenges of young adulthood (Now in her thirties, Sennott serves as a bridge to younger audiences, on the cusp adept for straddling millennials and Gen Z).

Guiding Lights and Artistic Direction

Likenesses to the iconic series Girls are inevitable and Sennott admits to being enthusiastic, naming it in addition to the HBO hit, the acclaimed comedy and the innovative program as guides for the project, which follows the journey of online personality Tallulah and close companion and fledgling agent Maia. However, the most significant spot on creative vision went to Entourage, the show focusing on a rising A-list actor making his way in an often-seedy entertainment industry (notable statement: “nobody’s happy in this town except for the losers”). Sennott discovered it amid COVID-19, became “obsessed”, and resolved to put her own twist on it “for the girls and the gays”.

“My aim was to focus on digital fame over traditional entertainment, as my own beginnings were on the web,” she says. The concept for the series came—partly—from personal, initially fractious, relocation to Los Angeles and from her astrological phase, a much-talked-about occurrence for enthusiasts. It was an era that involved her grasp significant truths, work-wise 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. “The struggles felt almost mythic in scale…”

Early Beginnings

Raised in New England, Sennott commenced writing and performing stand-up while enrolled in performance at New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. “I went through all the proper channels to try to perform, and they weren’t gelling,” she states. “I tried out for all the NYU comedy groups, and got rejected from all of them. “None of the university plays cast me either.” And I just felt like, what am I doing here?”

Sennott seized control, performing at amateur nights with Ayo and sharing uproarious (and very) bizarre skits online. A particular video, Baby Cult, followed a group of women fetishistically drawn to motherhood; a different one envisioned being employed at the preppy clothing store Hollister as similar to being trapped in a scary movie. Interestingly, she connected with Seligman through the university’s film scene and ended up starring in her first film, titled Shiva Baby, a stressful dramedy set at a Jewish wake with hints of the Safdie brothers’ movie. The big theme of her career, she says, has been people her own age supporting her, as opposed to traditional networks. Does that mean bypassing the usual powers? “Definitely not them”, she emphasizes, stating amusedly: “They don’t want us to win.”

Career Breakthrough

Those who had doubts regarding Sennott then will likely be kicking themselves today. As part of she describes as a “wild, full-circle” story, she appears to created the perfect project. In 2019 she uploaded a clip titled about Los Angeles online, in which she mocked film promos (“Everyone’s hooked on something”). Now, she’s executive producer (with the co-writer) of a series about city dwellers managing benefits of internet fame (such as partying at Elijah Wood’s house) with its pitfalls (your friend being labeled as being a intoxicated thief, and potentially becoming a risky pariah). It would be easy to create a show about online fame that was extremely idealized—or, more problematic, one that punched down at those depicted. This show avoids both, creating a depiction of affluent young adult life that’s candid about the chaos and the appeal.

Empathetic Approach

“There have been a lot of shows that depict young people and their relationship to the internet in this very condescending, hateful way,” 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

Kyle Richard
Kyle Richard

Elara is a seasoned writer and lifestyle expert, passionate about sharing actionable advice to help readers navigate life's challenges with confidence.