Issa Rae Says You ‘Have to Be Smarter’ Pitching Diverse Shows As DEI ‘Becomes a Bad Word’
Issa Rae isn’t mincing words about the state of Hollywood right now and according to her, the industry is going through a full-blown identity crisis.
Speaking at a recent creator summit, the Insecure creator described an entertainment business that feels increasingly uncertain about what stories it wants to tell and who gets to tell them. Rae pointed to a noticeable pullback in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts, saying the shift has made it harder to get projects with diverse voices greenlit.
“[DEI] has become a bad word,” Rae told The Wrap during a recent panel.
After years of progress that opened doors for underrepresented creators, she believes Hollywood is sliding backward, forcing storytellers to fight for the same space all over again.
Rae’s comments also come at a pivotal moment in her career. Earlier this year Issa Rae embarked on her comeback, inking a three-year, first-look film and television deal with Paramount. The newly acquired Paramount has undergone it's own makeover following it's acquisition from Skydance, owned and operated by David Ellison, a strong ally to President Donald Trump and his administration who's led the anti-DEI movement. Hollywood superstar actor Will Smith and his company Westbrook also signed a similar multi-project deal with Paramount. securing a first-look, multi-picture deal that will focus on creating a global enterprise.
Under her agreement, Rae is will develop and produce a range of film and TV content in collaboration with the studio’s leadership doubling down on her mission to tell stories reflective of the culture.
