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Emmys 2020: What was Issa Rae's first Hollywood pitch story? Dan Levy gives a shout-out to her and 'Insecure'

'Insecure' star Issa Rae stole the show when she narrated her first Hollywood pitch story, and in no time, people started praising her on social media
PUBLISHED SEP 21, 2020
Issa Rae (Getty Images)
Issa Rae (Getty Images)

This is the first time in 72 years that the Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are happening virtually without a red carpet. However, celebrities surely won everyone's heart even with the virtual setup. 'Insecure' star Issa Rae stole the show when she narrated her first Hollywood pitch story, and in no time, people started praising her on social media.

Rae, who was nominated for the category for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the 2020 Emmys, is one of the handful celebrities who are donating their 2020 Emmys looks to RAD auction that's raising funds for When We All Vote. Rae wore a beautiful piece from stylist Jason Rembert, which was a Sergio Hudson design with long sleeves with strong shoulders and buttons that circle the plunging neckline and extend to the cutout at the center.

The 35-year-old shared her first pitch story and recalled the hurdles it took to become a Hollywood success, "My first Hollywood pitch was kind of unofficial. Basically, I had this web series. It was the third web series I had ever made. The executive was like, 'Yes, I saw your show. Funny stuff… Funny stuff.' And I was like, 'Um, thank you.' He was like, 'Yeah, it’s about this Black woman and her Black-woman problems. Hilarious,'" Rae recalled. "And I was like, 'That’s not what it’s about. But okay.' He was like, 'Yeah, but you know, the Black audience, they want to see familiar faces. So, you might need to switch up the characters.' And, mind you, he’s this executive that’s not Black telling me what Black people like. And it just became very clear to me that he didn’t get the show. And I remember just fuming in that meeting like, 'Why does he get to tell me what gets to be on TV? Why does he get to tell me what people like me like to see? I’m here! I’m telling you what I want to see. I made it,'" she said. "For me, that moment was the motivation I needed to keep doing what I was doing. To kind of bet on myself. And that fueled me. Like, 'Oh, okay. I’ll show you.' And, you know, one of us got fired after that," Rae added. 

Rae's comments came during a special segment highlighting Black Excellence, a tribute that comes as the entertainment industry is making strides in recognizing people of color, with a record number of Black actors receiving Emmy Award nominations this year. Rae also received a shout-out from Dan Levy in his Emmys' speech, where he said, "I want to recognize Issa Rae and the writers on #Insecure for writing some of the funniest, most heartfelt television of the year."

As soon as Rae described her experience, fans started reacting to it, as one internet user said, "Issa Rae said an executive tried to tell her, a Black woman, what Black people wanted to watch. 'One of us got fired after that.' #Emmys." And some called her a superhero and said, "#Emmys Issa Rae is a Black Female SuperHero flexing her Power right now and I'm here for ALL of It! 'ONE OF US GOT FIRED...LOL.'" While some caller her story a whole "mood" and said, "Issa Rae's #Emmys moment, where she shared the story about her first Hollywood pitch meeting was a WHOLE mood."



 



 



 

And one fan who wanted her to win the award, wrote, "Y’all can make Zendaya and Issa Rae speak about diversity in entertainment but you won’t give them an Emmy? Seems sketch. #Emmys." While another fan speculated, "Ik ppl are mad about issa rae and zendaya not winning anything but how many times do we have to say that these award shows werent MADE to celebrate black people/ poc we keep expecting different results year after year but it never changes. its sad #Emmys." And some even applauded Dan Levy for his shout out, and said, "Dan Levy shouting out Issa Rae and the Insecure writers' room for some damn good content. #Emmys "



 



 



 



 


 
 
 
 

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