Issa Rae on Success, Super Bowl Vibes, and Why Black Women Should Invest in Themselves

On

Issa Rae’s Take on Success and Staying True to Herself

Issa Rae has built an empire by turning her awkward moments into groundbreaking television. From her hit show Insecure to her expanding business ventures in entertainment, beauty, and spirits, she has mastered the art of growth while staying true to her identity.

Despite her fame, Rae remains down-to-earth. She enjoys intimate gatherings over extravagant parties and embraces a balanced lifestyle. “People assume that I’m like the life of a party when I’m just really so quiet and I have to be comfortable in my zone,” she shares. Her success proves that you don’t have to change who you are to thrive in any industry.

Super Bowl Plans: Wings, Prosecco, and a Final Quarter Thrill

This year, Rae is making history by starring in her first-ever Super Bowl commercial for TurboTax. However, her game-day plans remain simple. “I’m trying to find a couch,” she jokes, opting to enjoy the event at someone else’s home rather than hosting.

Her go-to Super Bowl spread? “Wings and Prosecco, baby. I’m from both worlds now,” she says, referring to her own Prosecco line, Viarae. While she enjoys the social aspect of the event, she admits to tuning in seriously only for the final quarter. “I love a good final quarter. That’s when I pretend I’ve been watching the whole time.”

Tackling Finances: Smart Money Moves for Creatives

Rae is a firm believer in financial responsibility, especially for creatives and entrepreneurs. She candidly recalls how she once avoided filing taxes. “Before, I used to avoid it because money is hard, filing taxes is hard,” she admits. But she learned quickly that financial discipline is non-negotiable. “If you’re not willing to invest in yourself, you can’t ask anybody else to invest in you.”

Her advice? Save money whenever possible. “Sometimes creatives will look for that money up front because they don’t have it, but also to just save. Save, as you do have a job, put a little money aside.” She even confesses that she once went into credit card debt to buy a camera, but it was an investment that ultimately paid off.

Running as a Form of Meditation

Beyond her career, Rae has recently found joy in fitness, particularly running. She never saw herself as a runner, but that changed once she bought a treadmill. “Now I love running, and it’s become part of my kind of meditative process.”

Though she isn’t committing to marathons just yet, she acknowledges that fitness has played a big role in her well-being. Finding balance in her life has helped her stay focused and maintain her creative edge.

Dream Collaborations and Future Aspirations

As she continues to expand her reach in entertainment, Rae has her sights set on working with Regina Hall in a comedic film. “She was one of the first celebrities I ever co-wrote a project with, but we never got a chance to make it.” She adds with a laugh, “I always hit her every year, ‘Girl, I’m working on it.’ And she’s like, ‘Okay, well where is it?’”

Her drive to collaborate with talented Black women and create meaningful projects reflects her long-term vision. Whether through storytelling, business, or personal growth, Rae remains committed to uplifting her community and paving the way for future creatives.

Finding Joy in Chaos and Staying Grounded

With the entertainment industry constantly evolving, Rae has developed her own way to stay grounded. “I think it’s good and bad, but tuning out like so many other people are, and just focusing on literally the things that do bring me joy,” she explains.

For her, work is an escape, and she prioritizes giving back to her community in meaningful ways. Her ability to focus on what truly matters has been key to maintaining her mental and emotional well-being.

https://www.essence.com/celebrity/issa-rae-super-bowl-commercial-turbo-tax