Issa Rae Talks Resolving Former Rift With Lauren London: We Had An Amazing 2-Hour Conversation

Issa Rae Talks Resolving Former Rift With Lauren London: We Had An Amazing 2-Hour Conversation

Issa Rae is opening up about a misunderstanding between her and fellow actress Lauren London. 

During an interview with Vanity Fair, Issa Rae began reflecting on her critically-acclaimed web series, The Mis-adventures of Awkward Black Girl (referred to as Awkward Black Girl). The 2011 web series was noteworthy as it provided additional visibility and entertainment opportunities for Black women who are considered “awkward” or “antisocial.” Despite her web series’ intended focus, Issa Rae reportedly claimed that one TV executive was simply not grasping her intentions–and this wound up causing an issue between her and Lauren London!

It turns out that the unnamed executive thought it would be a good idea to cast Lauren London for a TV-version of Awkward Black Girl, and Issa Rae thought that was a step in the wrong direction. Reportedly, because Lauren London started as a video vixen and often plays the love interest in films, Issa Rae thought that the executive’s suggestion was out-of-touch and wouldn’t fit the show’s vibe. On a deeper note, Rae felt that the suggestion showed that the industry was happy and willing to remove her from her own narrative in exchange for a lighter-skinned Black woman.

Issa Rae mentioned this anecdote in various other interviews and memoirs, speaking her truth and sharing her experiences within the industry. However, she also name-dropped Lauren London within her re-telling, and this caused some discontent. Rae commented:

“One of my biggest regrets [is] naming her. She took offense to that.”

Rae and London remained on less-than-friendly terns until Diddy‘s 49th birthday celebration. There, Issa Rae said that Lauren London‘s partner, the dearly-departed Nipsey Hussle, encouraged the pair to squash their issues. Rae stated:

“[Nipsey Hussle] was like ‘You should just talk to her. Let me set it up.'”

Lauren London, Nipsey Hussle

As a result of Nipsey Hussle‘s initiative, Issa Rae and Lauren London were able to mend fences and see each other’s perspectives! Rae added:

“It actually sparked an amazing two-hour conversation. We had so much in common. She was like, ‘People don’t understand, I’m an awkward Black girl.’ In the same way that I was upset about the limited portrayal of Black women, she was like, ‘People do the same thing to me.’ I completely get that.”

It also turns out that her conversation with Lauren London caused Rae to begin expanding the scope and range of her characters on Insecure, as she reportedly wanted to give Black women more people they could relate to.

What are your thoughts regarding Nipsey Hussle getting Issa Rae and Lauren London to squash their issues? Comment down below to let us know!