L-R: Mike Gauyo (Writer), Amy Niobi (Writer, Director, and Co-Executive Producer), Sujata Day (Actress), Laura Kittrell (Writer / Co-Executive Producer), Issa Rae (Creator and Executive Producer and Dayna Lynne North (Writer / Co Executive Producer).
Photo Credit: Eric Ellis
For the fifth and final season, HBO & the entire Insecure family hosted a reunion as a nod to the season finale opener, Reunited, Okay? written by Amy Aniobi, (writer, director and executive producer for Insecure and executive producer for HBO special, 2 Dope Queens), which premiered Sunday evening, 10/24, on HBO Max.
Episode 1 of Season 5 takes us back to where it all started, Stanford University, which is the real-life alma mater to both Issa Rae and Amy Aniobi. Directed by Melina Matsoukas, this episode explores the relationships of where our favorite characters were built during the gang’s 10th year college reunion. True to form, Issa’s art reflects her real life relationships and career strategy, networking across and working with people who have been in the trenches with her; a trait we’ve all grown to love her for and adopt into our own lifestyle.
L-R: Dayna Lynne North and Issa Rae at Insecure Fest 2021
Photo Credit: Eric Ellis
To say goodbye, but onward and upward, HBO and the Insecure family celebrated the premiere at Kenneth Hahn Park, a known park in Issa’s neighborhood and hometown. The COVID conscious event was thoughtful and executed flawlessly in an open air space that had Ladera Heights, the “Black Beverly Hills” as its backdrop.
As a follow up to the premiere, HBO transformed Slauson & Overhill (a major intersection within the View Park corridor) this past weekend, which also happens to be the parking lot where Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen is located; also co-owned by Issa Rae and business partners Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos.
Photo Credit: Eric Ellis
The shopping strip was transformed to reflect Insecure through the years. HBO affectionately named it InsecureFest. With special performances by Jazmine Sullivan, Schoolboy Q, and local celebrity DJ R-tistic, InsecureFest was an opportunity for the surrounding community to meet their favorite characters and behind the scenes creatives like: Mike Gauyo (Writer), Amy Niobi (writer, director, and producer), Sujata Day (Actress), Laura Kittrell (Writer / Co-Executive Producer), and Dayna Lynne North (Writer / Co Executive Producer).
A show like Insecure which has launched the careers of so many and given so many fans a face and voice, begs the question “Where do we go from here?”
Co-creator and executive producer of The Best Man: Final Chapters, Dayne Lynne North has one answer for the culture. A fellow classmate of Insecure EP and Showrunner, Prentice Penny from the University of Southern California, Dayna has teamed up with Malcolm D. Lee, writer, director and producer of The Best Man and The Best Man holiday; arguably a classic franchise.
