How I Built This with Guy Raz

HOORAE: Issa Rae

Sep 26, 2022

Issa Rae, the creative force behind the HBO series Insecure and founder of HOORAE Media, candidly shares her journey from an aspiring writer to a Hollywood powerhouse. She discusses the struggles of facing rejection, the thrill of creating authentic characters, and the importance of diverse voices in media. Issa also reflects on her transition from creator to entrepreneur, emphasizing the blend of hard work and luck that has shaped her success. Tune in for insights on navigating the complex landscape of creativity and the entertainment industry.

01:20:05

Episode guests

Issa Rae

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

I Hate LA Dudes

01:25

My Dad Is Satisfied

00:55

The Sandbox in Business

01:39

The Second Season of the Ineret

01:47

Intro

2min

Navigating Hollywood's Creative Landscape

3min

From Sandbox to Silver Screen: The Early Journey of a Creative Visionary

3min

Navigating Identity Through Art and Medicine

14min

From College Fun to Creative Growth

13min

Navigating Challenges and New Beginnings in a Creator's Journey

3min

Navigating Creativity and Independence

15min

Navigating Success and Anxiety

5min

Navigating Hollywood's Highs and Lows

16min

10.

From Creator to Entrepreneur

9min

11.

The Balance of Hard Work and Luck in Success

4min

Obsessed with TV and passionate about writing, Issa Rae sent an unsolicited script to CBS’s Cosby when she was still in middle school. By her 20's, she realized there was a certain type of character that was absent from the media landscape—a character she would eventually inhabit in her breakout YouTube series, "Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl." From there, Issa created the five-season HBO hit Insecure, but first went through a bruising gauntlet of rejections and reversals as she learned to navigate Hollywood. Today, Issa has built a company—HOORAE Media—which produces her new HBO show, Rap Sh!t, and multiple other TV and film projects.

Listen to The Great Creators launching September 20th

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