The actress and writer on her hilarious comedy portraying that grotty allure of Gen Z existence
The performer appears on the video call and immediately begins an explanation. “Oh my God – I’m sorry!” she exclaims, sounding really apologetic. She is only a bit behind, she needs to clarify. “My phone conversations always run long.” I had two calls before this, and I’m like, I’ve gotta stop talking!” Luckily, for a writer, this is exactly what you want to experience. Besides, it’s fairly expected. Anyone who have seen the boldly LGBTQ+ and unapologetically crass film Bottoms—which Sennott co-wrote with Emma Seligman and appeared in with close companion The Bear’s standout—would already know that she holds a lot to say, whether on roles, sex, or the pros of creating a teen combat group. Plus, after watching her recent multi-episode show titled I Love LA, viewers realize that she holds even more insights about the darker side of modern youth (As a millennial, she serves as a relatable figure of the gang, straddling eras with a knack for bridging millennials and Gen Z).
Inspirations and Storytelling Approach
Likenesses to Lena Dunham’s Girls are inevitable and Sennott readily acknowledges a fan, citing the show in addition to the classic series, the acclaimed comedy and Donald Glover’s series as influences for I Love LA, which tracks the struggles of a social media star Tallulah and ally and aspiring agent Sennott’s character. However, the most significant presence on the moodboard was reserved for the HBO series, that show focusing on an up-and-coming celebrity succeeding in an often-seedy entertainment industry (choice quote: “happiness eludes everyone but failures in this city”). Sennott began viewing it throughout lockdown, became “captivated”, and chose to put her own twist on it “with female and queer audiences in mind”.
“I sought to highlight online platforms as the new industry, since my professional journey launched there,” she notes. The idea for I Love LA came—in part—from her own, originally rocky, transition to Tinseltown and from the cosmic event, a frequently discussed event for astrology heads. That period marked a phase that included her grasp significant insights, professionally and individually. “My twenties began with constant public emotional outbursts and disorganization,” she admits. “Settling in LA during my mid-twenties brought calm, but soon everything unraveled.” It was almost like these biblical tests …”
Early Beginnings
Brought up in New England, Sennott began writing and performing comedy while enrolled in acting at NYU’s Tisch. “Despite trying every conventional route, I couldn’t find my footing,” she states. “I tried out for all the NYU comedy groups, and got rejected from all of them. “Theatre productions at school also didn’t accept me. “It left me questioning my purpose and place.”
She took matters into her own hands, appearing at open mics with Ayo and sharing uproarious (and very) unconventional comedy videos online. A particular video, Baby Cult, depicted a group of women fetishistically drawn to motherhood; a different one imagined being employed at the preppy clothing store Hollister as similar to being stuck in a scary movie. By chance, she connected with Emma through NYU’s movie community and ended up appearing in her directorial debut, Shiva Baby, an anxious comedy set at a Jewish wake with shades of the intense thriller. The big theme of her career, she notes, has been contemporaries supporting her, instead of established gatekeepers. So, not the gatekeepers, then? “They were not involved”, she confirms, stating amusedly: “They prefer we don’t succeed.”
Career Breakthrough
Those who had doubts regarding her then will surely be feeling foolish today. As part of she labels a “incredibly circular” story, she has achieved the perfect project. In 2019 she shared content titled on LA life on the internet, in which she lampooned Hollywood trailers (“Substance abuse is rampant here”). Now, she’s executive producer (with Emma Barrie) of a comedy about Angelenos managing the perks of digital stardom (such as socializing at a famous actor’s house) with its pitfalls (your friend being suspected of being a intoxicated thief, and potentially becoming a “brand unsafe” persona non grata). One might simple to make a series about online fame that was horribly idealized—or, even less favorable, one that mocked at those depicted. The series does neither, making for a depiction of advantaged millennial living that’s honest about the chaos and the shine.
Balanced Perspective
“Many programs portray youth and online life with disdain and mockery,” 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