The Resurgence of Natural Hair in TV, The Last Five Years

 

Natural hair is slowly picking up the pace, especially on most streaming platforms. 

Lately, natural hair has been having an incredible renaissance. 

Shaved heads, teenie weenie afros (TWAs), full blow outs, locs, box braids, cornrows, and more are being worn by many Black women characters on television. They are showing off their versatile creative expression of beauty— head first. This thrilling ride gives Black women viewers the extra courage to celebrate themselves in the mirror, to value what’s already there, and also provides immense inspiration for hair salon visits. For so long, the audience had to settle with the ironed image— the straight haired Black woman fitting in with her non-Black counterparts, hiding her roots to impress the masses. Although the straight hair image remains prominent today, actresses are letting their preference shine bright. In the past, nappy, coils, kinky hair was viewed unkempt, unprofessional, unruly— and this would be included in a televised storyline. 

Taylor Bryant’s article, The Problem With Natural Hair On TV, closes with this:

“Hopefully, these shows will act as inspiration for more Black actresses to feel comfortable shedding their wigs before the camera starts rolling. With more women embracing their natural hair IRL, it’s only right that this be accurately — and positively — reflected on the shows they regularly watch.”

One show Bryant highlighted was How to Get Away With Murder. Annalise Keating originally took her makeup and wig off after a hard day’s drama in earlier episodes. This stress related unmasking revealed a secret few were privy to know about her. Except the hair she hid from her workplace was gorgeous— always well moisturized and trimmed. Why cover such perfection? By the final season, however, Annalise wore her natural afro with pride and power; enhancing the strength and dignity of her character’s phenomenal growth. Natural hair is beautiful, resilient, and authentic. 

While characters like Florida Evans in the classic Good Times are still remembered, modern contemporary shows such as Insecure, Black Lightning, Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, and Blood & Water feature the flawless elegance of Black women’s natural hairstyles, a limitless range that was historically vilified (still is in some instances). This new wave of a positive intentional approach to Black women’s beauty— a validity growing from small screen to film— seems a form of activism that speaks volumes— “this is me, this is us!” 

Let’s keep the momentum going so that the next generation will continue seeing themselves reflected onscreen. The color of their skin and their texture and style of hair deserves recognition. 

Here are Black women television characters from various series in the last five years sporting natural hairstyles:

Our Kind of People’s Angela and Nikki Vaughn (played by Yaya DaCosta and Alana Bright from 2021-2022). 

How to Get Away With Murder’s Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis from 2014-2020).

Black Lightning’s Lynn Pierce (played by Christine Adams from 2018-2021).

Insecure’s Issa Dee (played by Issa Rae from 2015-2021).

Insecure’s Kelli Prenny (played by Natasha Rothwell from 2015-2021).

Queen Sugar’s Nova Bordelon (played by Rutina Wesley from 2015-present).

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Sarah Wilson (played by Adepero Oduye, 2021).

Wandavision’s Monica Rambeau/Geraldine (played by Teyonah Parris, 2021).

Cherish the Day’s Gently James (played by Xosha Roquemore, 2020).

I May Destroy You’s Arabella (played by Michaela Coel, 2020). 

A Black Lady Sketch Show various characters (played by Ashley Nicole Black from 2019-present)

All Rise’s Lola Carmichael (played by Simone Missick from 2019-present).

Random Acts of Flyness’s Najja (played by Dominique Fishback, 2018).

Star Trek:Discovery’s Commander Michael Burnham (played by Sonequa Martin-Green from 2017-present). 

Van Helsing’s Doc (played by Rukiya Bernard from 2016-2021, also presently recurring on Yellowjackets).

Blood and Water’s Thandeka Khumalo (played by Gail Mabalane from 2020-present).

Blood and Water’s Zama Bolton (played by Cindy Mahlangu from 2020-present).

Blood and Water’s Wendy Dlamini (played by Natasha Thahane from 2020-present).

Greenleaf’s Kerissa Greenleaf (played by Kim Hawthorne from 2016-2020).

Greenleaf’s Zora Greenleaf (played by Lovie Simone from 2016-2020).

Run the World’s Ella (played by Andrea Bordeaux 2021-present, image is from her guest starring on NCIS, 2013).

P Valley’s Mercedes (played by Brandee Evan’s from 2020-present). 

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’s Farah Black (played by Jade Eshete from 2016-2017).

Harlem’s Tye (played by Jerrie Johnson from 2021-present).

Harlem’s Dr. Elise Pruitt (played by Whoopi Goldberg from 2021-present).

Harlem’s Angie (played by Shoniqua Shandai from 2021-present).

An Everlasting Appreciation For Daniel King

Daniel (Y’lan Noel) and Issa (Issa Rae) had an undeniably special bond.

Issa Dee and Daniel King were high school friends sharing a common interest in music. Although they did not pursue a romantic relationship back then, Daniel remained Issa’s secret crush. Other than sending each other messages on Facebook, their paths rarely crossed. When things became unbearable for Issa with her boyfriend of five years the utterly depressed Lawrence Walker, Issa tracks music producer Daniel down on an open mic night. Daniel encourages Issa to spit to the young crowd and Issa does so, dropping the epic classic Broken Pussy, embarrassing her best friend Molly in the process. Something brews between the two— something new and refreshing. Yet after their first kiss, Daniel implies he’s not looking for anything serious. It sucks that he considers her an object to lust after. Certainly a fine, established producer could have anyone else. The awkwardness comes and goes. Once Molly bails out of the We Got Y’all Career Day, Issa invites Daniel to speak— at Frida’s request. The kids were not initially impressed by him, but Issa certainly was charmed the whole way through. The moment leads to a hilarious appearance by Mirror Daniel and Ty Dolla Sign. 

Just Daniel. 

Crushes are normal. Crushes form everyday. Issa was not free to be keeping contact with Daniel whose interest was not an “in it” like Lawrence. By episode five, Issa chooses to go to Daniel’s studio and stay well past his musicians and guests. She chooses that kiss to go further. She chooses to have sex all over that studio. While Guordan Banks’ “Keep Me In Mind” plays in the background, one wonders if the song is intended for Daniel or for Lawrence. The aftermath is worst. Issa lies to Lawrence and avoids Daniel. She shirks all responsibility— as though not talking about it or addressing the person with whom the mistake was made erases that night. Yet it is not rocket science to figure out what happened. Issa trashes Daniel and Lawrence dumps her. 

Y’lan Noel made Daniel. Cannot imagine anyone else in the role.

Daniel portrayer Y’lan Noel (who originally auditioned for Lawrence) spoke to Essence on his character. 

“I see him as being somebody who follows through with what he’s interested in, whether it be music or, obviously, Issa,” Noel said about Daniel. “He’s sincere. He doesn’t sit on his emotions —which I think is incredibly inspiring. He’s also very single minded. Not selfish, but single minded. He doesn’t know Lawrence or anything about that guy. He’s just concerned about him and Issa’s relationship.”

By season two, post-breakup Issa has reluctantly let Lawrence live his life separately and wants to obtain sexual liberation. Issa meets her friends and Felix (an asinine jerk who brushes her off) at the Kiss and Grind. Daniel is also there and Issa exchanges words with him, strangely highlighting that she is single. At a diner, they share a plate of fries as Kelli enjoys her new boo’s finger talents. However, Issa should not have put Daniel in her “hoe-tation”— a hoetation that only consisted of her Dunes neighbor and Daniel. Daniel seems to no longer consider Issa a mere fling. Who can forget that smile when Issa came by with a special delivery? His smile spoke volumes as did their introductory kiss. He drops everything for her— even coming straight to her aide after her lil car accident. In the next episode, she shows him vast appreciation. Sis should have moved. That is all there is say. But later Daniel speaks inexcusably over the phone. 

The eye incident will go down in Insecure Hall of Shame forever.

Eventually, Issa must leave the Dunes Apartments due to the raising rent— gentrification is evil. She has the option of Ahmal, of Molly (whose vase she broke—we’ll never know). In the end, who does Issa choose to stay with rent free? 

Daniel. 

Issa and Daniel at Kiss and Grind. 

Season three allows a small glimpse into Daniel’s life. Lilian, Daniel’s sister can’t part hair well and is curious about why Daniel let Issa stay at his place. Jada, Daniel’s niece loves the ratchet music, but appreciates that her uncle’s music makes her think. Studio buddy Brett (Issa Rae’s real life bro Lamine) never brings Daniel a decent artist and rarely shows up when Daniel needs him. Vanessa, Daniel’s critical, “lightskin love” cheerleading bedmate sees him overcrowding her space. Music takes Daniel to places. It is his true love, his vital passion. Although the industry shuns his independent style, he is able to return to its nature, to its instrumental roots. It comforts him, soothes him despite the limitations to true success. With Issa, however, he is unsure. 

Daniel was so unsure to meet Spyder, but Issa pushed him in the right direction. 

Issa stands correct on the tiptoeing. She was nervous about asking Daniel for more time. Daniel was confused by her being there yet obviously wanted her to stay. They were dancing around the chemistry. It was in the air. Issa is at her most awkward, her most vulnerable. She pushes him away repeatedly. When Brett cancels on a meeting with hot act Spyder, Issa—after kindly cleaning Daniel’s apartment—offers to come support Daniel at the club. Interestingly, Daniel appears more and more unsure of himself. Issa uplifts Daniel much as he did her before season one’s open mic. Even in a dimly lit crowd, Daniel and Issa’s undeniable chemistry is charged— further still when he beatboxes in her ear and then shields his body over hers once gunshots fly. Then, they come back home to a peace offering. Issa listens to his new track, pleased. Daniel and Issa obviously care deeply for each other. The stain of their intimacy wounded what could have been a bonafide pairing. Plus, Daniel looked down on Issa and Issa gave Daniel very mixed signals. 

There were terrible aspects to Daniel— no doubt about it. He showed up to Issa’s job twice coming across as thirsty as Darius Lovehall impermissibly taking Nina Mosley’s address off a check in Love Jones or Jason following Lyric’s bus until she got off in Jason’s Lyric. The kicker— Daniel enjoys playing Issa’s “hero” so much that the thought of her leaving his apartment hurt that sensitive ego. It hurt below the belt. Still, if Lawrence can be forgiven for calling Issa a “hoe” to her face after bringing Aparna to the birthday dinner of Derek (husband of Issa’s friend, Tiff) in season two, why is it harder to allow Daniel that same space to grow? After that particular dinner, Lawrence and Aparna have sex for the first time and not under Issa’s hearing. In the season three opener, Daniel had the galling audacity to have loud sex with couch crashing guest Issa present— although, yes, she could have easily stayed with Molly or Ahmad. Both men have crushing temperaments in regards to Issa. Lawrence is verbally cruel and Daniel is passively vindictive. By the series finale, most characters grew from their childishly immature behaviors. They treated each other with intended care and respect. Who’s to say that Daniel has not also matured someplace, leveled up, and took Issa’s advice? 

Daniel and Issa, the possibility could have been amazing. 

Daniel fans did receive closure—though at the time it did not seem so. When Issa moves out and rummages through her old belongings, she eventually tosses away the rap journals and CDs. She says goodbye to her younger self, says goodbye essentially to Daniel. Openings arose for his faithful return— Issa’s Bloc Party certainly needed a special musical producer’s helping hand. That voyage sailed with Daniel’s previously harsh “I’m always having to save you.” Instead of reaching out to her old friend/lover, she chooses her BFF’s new man to save her event. Issa uses people, but her intentions are for her people. Eventually, she needs no savior. She becomes someone to rely on. 

Daniel and Issa hug goodbye.

Insecure is no Jennifer Garner movie called Confessions of Girlfriends Past. Issa was moving forward, moving past the past. With the shadow of Lawrence always bound to lurk in the picture, Daniel and Issa never had a real chance to blossom into their potential together. It would have been nice to see them dating, being truly honest with each other, maturing and keeping off stubborn ground. Still, fans received sweet takeaway moments— the shared silly smiles, the songs they made, the constant flirtation, the steamiest love scene on television, and a final embrace. Some favorite doomed couples never even kissed— so the Daniel Hive was generously lucky in that. Issa Rae and Y’lan Noel crafted in these two connected characters an aesthetically pleasing onscreen match in a world still making couples contrast—skin first. They proved that two dark skinned people could create a scorching irresistible fire that remains burning in memory. 

Daniel King may not have returned in the last seasons, but he sure did leave a memorable impression. 

Goodbye Issa, Molly, & Co., An ‘Insecure’ Final Season Replay, 2015-2021

Molly (Yvonne Orji) and Issa (Issa Rae) are back to bosom buddy status in Insecure’s season five opener— Reunited, Okay? directed by Melina Matsoukas and written by Amy Aniobi. 

“You’re always gonna be in my loop.”—Issa Dee to Molly Carter [insert hearts for eyes emoji here]

On October 9, 2016, a brilliant show debuting two days after my birthday, cordially introduced us to two Black women of similar complexion in leading roles defining change from the typical dark skinned versus the lighter skinned setup— toxic colorism often seeping into the characterization. Part comedy and part drama, Insecure on HBO brought attention to specific problems young Black women faced— tokenism/undermining at the workplace, neighborhood gentrification, lack of communication in romantic relationships, questioning self-worth/value, and that specific kind of love reserved for our girlfriends. With the backdrop of Los Angeles starring as another character including The Dunes in Inglewood, the struggles of Issa and her friends were relatable, honest, and refreshing. 

College Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) shown at Tiff and Derek’s going away party.  

The fifth and final season begins with the gang heading to their old college stomping grounds— Stanford University. After a rift that slowly ruptured mid-season three all the way to cracking into smithereens in the previous fourth season, Issa and Molly are trying to repair the damage. Why not restart at the very place they met? Although Molly asks Kelli for advice on how to begin anew, it shows growth that Molly decides to present this question to Issa herself. 

“Are we going to be okay?”

Thankfully, it is a resounding “yes.” 

Before Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) sleep, Molly starts singing the corny “You’re My Best Friend” song— very sweet throwback nod. Unfortunately, Issa tells Molly it’s wrong in episode two’s Growth, Okay?! directed by Mo Marable and written by Phil Augusta Jackson. 

Growth, Okay?!, the second episode, contains super special moments only true BFFs could share— cooking together or ordering out, sleepovers where a friend will give you a pillow because you’ve fluffed hers out, movie nights, phone calls— all the cozy stuff. Plus, Molly is rocking a gorgeous natural cut— which reminds one of first season Issa’s fresh TWA. 

The girls— Kelli (Natasha Rothwell), Molly (Yvonne Orji), and Issa (Issa Rae)— looking good for the beach in Faulty, Okay?! directed by Mo Marable and written by Syreeta Singleton.  

The overall key highlights were the growth and trust Issa and Molly were able to achieve. By the end, their conversations were coming from healthy angles. None of the judgment or shame or side eying took usual steed. They safely asked each other questions on relationships and career choices— taking the time to listen and offer critical feedback from a much friendlier angle. The incredible loyalty that they show has definitely become one of the most compelling “ride or die” stories ever told. 

The girls hug it out during a round of games, joints, munchie snacks, and wine (nonalcoholic for Kelli) in episode seven’s Chilling, Okay?! directed by Amy Aniobi and written by Fran Ritcher. They did not eat any real food this episode. 

The Denver move is sad yet believable part of life. Friends actually move away— create roots in another city, another state. When Tiff announced the news during the seventh episode Chilling, Okay?!, a certain reality started to sink in. This foursome would be losing a key person, a person still recovering from a vulnerable year. Tiff— already somewhat private about her emotional/mental health and never completely sharing what happened between her and Derek— isolated with only Derek and Simone is both heartbreaking and bittersweet. Kelli, Issa, and Molly will no longer access Tiff in their traditional way, but that bond with Tiff will not be completely severed. Maybe Denver represents a new perspective for Tiff. 

Overall, this was such a delightful joy! Molly not ever watching Love Jones— a hot mess. The throwback John Legend and Alicia Keys— what a time! The A Different World setup as the girls changed clothes. Kelli’s outbursts. Baked cookies with Doritos? And of course the Daniel King / Daniel Kaluuya love. 

Molly (Yvonne Orji) gets slapped by Kelli (Natasha) for not sharing an edible with her friends at Tiff’s swanky going away party in season five, episode nine’s Out, Okay?! written, directed, and cameo’ed by Prentice Penny. 

The last episode was all about crying, crying again, and crying some more. Whether a big surprise, an intimate dinner, or travel to Mile High City, Issa, Molly, Kelli, and Tiffany keep the promise to celebrate their birthdays together. From Los Angeles to Denver, in the face of change, the girls are determined to hold on tightly to their extremely close friendship. Meanwhile tragedy strikes in between. Molly losing her mother hit home for me personally having lost my beautiful single parent last summer. My brother was also the caller of bad news. Thus, when Molly broke down and cried, I cried along with her— a day after Christmas, sobbing at the reality of such a significant loss. No one can ever be truly prepared for that kind of grief. 

Also Molly’s wedding day— marrying Taurean, the father/daughter dance, Molly’s coworkers as bridesmaids (the very ones she tried upstaging long ago) alongside her best friends, and Issa and Molly’s tender gown scene—tears for eyes at that point. Out of all the characters, Molly has the most genuine maturation. She has easily come from being number 10 on the Top Insecure Characters to somewhere in the Top 3. Her progress shows that inner reflection, diligent patience, and understanding will pay off in a good, positive way. 

And Issa.

Wow.

Our girl went from being a disrespected token at her disingenuous workplace (that unfortunately still exists) to becoming her own boss and having the very best intern/assistant in Quiona. Issa always knew that she wanted to give to the community. Always. That mentality, that drive was in there— waiting. Once she faced tough challenges head on, she could no longer be stopped. In an imagined future, we can see a few We Got Y’all kids coming to The BLOC events, happy to see Miss Issa not only thriving for herself, but also for them and their community. 

Birthday girl Issa (Issa Rae) shares a laugh with her now married BFF— bringing it full circle right down to the Broken Pussy song in the Insecure finale— Everything Gonna Be, Okay?! directed by Prentice Penny and written by Issa Rae. 

Although on December 26, 2021 the last ever Insecure episode aired right after Christmas Day, like The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, it will not ever be forgotten. Thank you, Issa Rae, Prentice Penny, and the rest of the excellent cast and crew for being a crucial part of so many lives for five seasons. Your generosity, talent, and direction has been commendable— has been cemented in our culture. We will always look back on this inspiring, award-winning/award-robbed show with great fondness, especially for the laughter, the music, the art, the fashion, and the hairstyles. 

At last, with Insecure our scene is seen. 

Top Ten ‘Insecure’ Characters

How did the girls (Natasha Rothwell’s Kelli, Yvonne Orji’s Molly, and Issa Rae’s Issa) rank in the femfilmrogues top 10 Insecure characters?

Today is the big day. 

The fifth and final season of one of the best shows on television ends its run— the award-winning, highly melanated Insecure on HBO. We have seen pretty major events— cheating with crushes, various breakups, steamy hookups, ups and downs of career ambitions, and blow out public fights between besties. 

After four beautiful years learning about the Black side of Los Angeles from the mostly Inglewood based perspective, this is a personal list on the irresistible characters worth cherishing. Although some came for a season or two, they delivered a memorable impact that must be noted here. 

Molly (Yvonne Orji) has some redeeming qualities. 

10. Molly is a kick butt lawyer who always fumble relationship bags— Jared, Lionel, Andrew, and even two men from the premiere The League dating pool. From season one to season three, however, in her most imperative relationship, Molly was there for Issa through a tough breakup, donating money and time to We Got Y’all functions, hosting a special Moroccan dinner (season two’s Hella Perspective highlight), birthday hangout at The Last Dragon screening, and of course self care Sunday’s. She could always plan a top notch event. Yet she could come off catty and mean spirited, made assumptions, prioritized herself over others, held grudges, had that whole nasty situationship with Dro, and did not apologize first. 

Sometimes Derek (Wade Allain-Marcus) makes his minutes on screen quite memorable.

9.  Derek is a quiet, humble, successful husband to Tiffany. The love demonstrated in the season four finale really showcased that he was beyond the rich apple to his wife’s eye. He truly cared about her emotional and mental health, going well above and beyond to find her which differed from the pathetic police actions in the show within a show Looking For Latoya. Derek can also give good solid advice, especially to Lawrence who needs an active male listener and active feedback giver in his messy life. Still, while Derek calls out the BS how he sees fit, the words he said about being a girl dad as his daughter laid sleeping were disturbing on many levels. 

Chad (Neil Brown Jr.) adds raunchy delight or a highly enthusiastic shade via beverage intake.

8. Chad breathes random adult humor and loud slurpy sounds into awkward conversations. Often considered the male companion to Kelli, Chad is the one to have a good time with, to conduct your baddest behavior damn the consequences. Crude, obnoxious, and juice crazy, Leah’s fiancé (and we’re still waiting to see the mysterious Leah) is a real hoot— although at times misogynistic. He can be serious for just a real hot moment before skirting back to mischievous intentions. Still, where would Lawrence be without his uncouth best friend, Chad? 

Like Tasha (Dominique Perry), so many of us wasted precious moments on those unworthy of our time, our bodies, our hearts. We give and give and expect and expect only to be let down in the end.

7. Tasha was the saucy bank teller who crushed massively hard on the man depositing unemployment checks and false promises into her station. Yes, she came up to Lawrence’s job hoping for more than batteries and a hot sauce partner to share the lunch hour. When she finally received released tension, she felt comfortable enough to be herself despite primarily being a weekend girl. Yet she kept forgiving Lawrence for his misgivings including cheating on her, but the last straw was ditching her at the family BBQ without saying a damn thing. Downright disrespectful. Tasha deserved far better than the F Buddy status Lawrence wanted. 

Rasheeda (Gail Bean) stayed true to herself much to the dissatisfaction of her fellow employees.

6. Rasheeda aka DaDa refused to code switch it up at the white law firm— even heeding Molly’s advice to be less loud and pretty much be quiet— under the radar. Although the bosses generally liked Rasheeda’s a brash, outgoing personality in the interview, she was too much for them at the workplace daily. Makes one wonder if Rasheeda would benefit at the Black law firm that Molly works at now— maybe Molly can put in a recommendation someday. 

Team Daniel (Y’lan Noel) for a win in another lifetime.

5. Daniel— the scorching hot producer and Issa’s former classmate who encouraged her musical talents—was definitely the one who got away in Issa’s love life. He understood Issa much better than most in her intimate circle and supported her when she needed him. Sure he did the most (showing up at her job and an event hosted by her job), he did let her stay at his place when she had nowhere to go (or so she says— sis could have chosen several spaces). Just as they were getting closer and mixed message signal shooting Issa confused him for the last time, Daniel’s out of pocket behavior in Backwards Like, season three’s third episode put a nail on the king’s coffin. However, still think about what it would have been if Issa had reached out to him to help her with the Block Party instead of going over Molly’s head for Andrew—a man she barely knew. 

Dr. Rhonda (Denise Dowse) is the medicine Molly needs in her otherwise chaotic life.

4. Dr. Rhonda kept it one hundred with Molly— something a lot of people aren’t brave enough to do. The “shoulda, coulda, woulda” bogs many hopes for the future. For someone like goal oriented Molly originally hoping for a marriage similar to her parents, Dr. Rhonda easily burst that bubble, advising Molly to live in the moment and not rush to check all the boxes. 

Jared (Langston Kerman) didn’t go to college, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t as smart, confident, and talented as those who did. 

3. Jared was an incredibly layered character that knew what he wanted. Sure a certain ill-humored song performed on open mic night had the Enterprise employed brother flaking (not Molly’s fault), he eventually came back because she interested him. He managed to impress her bourgeois friends at a house party and sweet talked her into an utterly romantic first kiss near a car outside. Eventually sidelined for more sophisticated men, Jared’s patience was tested again and again as fickle Molly continued stringing him along as a potential boyfriend then friend then lover. Although it was unforgettable to have no errands to run after sharing Cookie Crisp cereal, they could not work out due to Jared’s exploration of his sexuality— not Molly’s (who too did some experimentation), just Jared’s. 

Issa (Issa Rae) took a while to find her worth. 

2. Issa was a mess hotter than those flaming red Cheetos. Yet she related on many ways, especially to those who do work mostly white nonprofit organizations that expect minorities to perform better than the average. The first episode contained a heavy, triggering moment— the kids mocking her hair, her accent, her style— this all hit home. Eventually those same kids grew to love Issa because she showed them the benefits in their neighborhood, aspired them to see beyond the typical Black stereotypes (that her own ingrained coworkers saw them as). Relationship wise— Issa stayed with Lawrence longer than she should have, treated Daniel poorly, took Nathan’s “ghosting” inappropriately, and did not listen to Molly’s warning about Condola. Issa does use people to her own needs. However, she takes initiative, builds up her community, and stays focused on bettering herself. 

Cheers to Kelli (Natasha Rothwell), everyone’s number one and most should have her own show in the future. 

1. Kelli is the most dynamic and hands down the most fascinating. She’s the coolest girl in the circle, another bank girl who knows her worth (like eventually Tasha), the one who can crack a spitfire joke and tell you all about yourself in an honestly frank manner. At the same time, Kelli has her vulnerabilities, her moments that tell the audience that she is not only valuable for a personal laugh track. When Kelli and bestie Tiffany were having problems way before Tiffany’s baby arrived, Kelli’s heart was ripped to pieces watching Tiffany surround herself with uppity, fake socialites. In the end, Kelli was there for Tiffany, being a considerable help in Derek’s search and taking care of their baby. She also advises Issa and Molly time to time on their BS. Plus Kelli’s sharp, witty tongue going head to head with Issa’s hilariously shady brother Ahmal (another top notch character) is often brilliant must-see-comedy.