Our favorite awkward black girl Issa Rae has the best awkward red carpet story
There’s at least one event Issa Rae’s publicist doesn’t have to drag her to: The EssenceBlack Women in Hollywood Awards.
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl and Insecure creator was feted at the 10th anniversary of the annual Oscar-week soiree and took home the vanguard award Thursday night — but not before regaling the crowd with the tale of her first time attending the gala.
“I remember the day distinctly,” she said. “It was four years ago and I was fresh off Season 2 of Awkward Black Girl and I was already nervous because I had to go to the event by myself, which, um, awkward black girls don’t like to do.”
“I remember arriving and standing in the red-carpet line and the woman in front of me turned around and it was Sanaa Lathan, y’all,” Rae said.
“So, Sanaa turned and she smiled at me but, um, I looked down and instead of saying something, I immediately texted my younger brother and sister because I knew they’d understand,” she continued. “And my sister wrote something back like, ‘Say something to her!’”
Which Rae apparently read as “run,” and she did — straight to the press line.
However, the writer/actress/producer joked that she eventually decided to “stop being a punk” and got back in the line for the red carpet, where Niecy Nash gave her an encouraging wink.
“So, I got to the red carpet and I was ready,” Rae said. "I gave the carpet publicist my name and he announced, ‘Issa Rae, everybody!’ And I took a deep breath and then I stepped onto the carpet, hand on my hip, ready for the cameras and no sooner than five seconds (after) I stepped on the carpet, they were like, ‘OH, LAILA ALI!’”
“And so, they all turned to this gorgeous goddess and I stood in the middle of the carpet, like, not sure what to do. So, a kind photographer helped me. He said, ‘Hey, can you move? I’m trying to get Laila.”
Fortunately, that first time wasn't enough to keep Rae away. Jokes aside, she maintained: "It really is the most genuine event."
