Lena Waithe - Wikipedia 29/10/2018, 22)53

Lena Waithe
Lena Waithe (born May 17, 1984)[1] is an American actress, producer,
and screenwriter. She is known for co-writing and acting in the Netflix
Lena Waithe
series Master of None.[2][3][4] Waithe made history at the 69th annual
Primetime Emmy Awards when she won Outstanding Writing for a
Comedy Series for her work on Master of None, becoming the first black
woman to do so.[5] The "Thanksgiving" episode for which she won the
Emmy was partially based on her personal experience coming out to her
mother.[6] She is the creator of the Showtime series The Chi.[7]

Contents
Early life
Career
Personal life
Filmography
Film Waithe in March 2018
Television
Born May 17, 1984
Awards
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Awards
Alma mater Columbia College
References
Chicago
External links
Occupation Actress · producer ·
writer
Early life Years active 2007–present

Waithe was born in Chicago, Illinois.[8][9] Though acting was not

Partner(s) Alana Mayo
originally among Waithe's ambitions,[10][11] she knew from the age of
(engaged)
seven that she wanted to be a television writer, and received strong family
support for her writing from her single mother and grandmother:[2] her parents had divorced when she was three.
Waithe's father died when she was fourteen.[12] Waithe and her sister grew up on the South Side of Chicago until
Waithe was age twelve, and attended a local, mostly African-American Elementary magnet school, Turner-Drew[7] but
moved to Evanston and finished middle school at Chute Middle School.[13] She graduated from Evanston Township
High School and earned a degree in Cinema and Television Arts[14] from Columbia College Chicago in 2006,[3][11][15]
praising faculty playwright Michael Fry for his teaching and encouragement.[15][16] Finding more ways to involve
herself in the television and film industry, she also worked at a movie theater as well as the media department of a
Blockbuster.[17] She moved to Los Angeles in 2006, supported by a locational transfer of her aforementioned
Blockbuster job, to begin pursuing her true ambitions.[17]

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Career
Having arrived in Los Angeles, Waithe secured a job as an assistant to the executive producer of Girlfriends (2000 TV
series), a long running sitcom.[17] Soon after, she landed a minor role in Lisa Kudrow's The Comeback.[17] She later
became a writer for the Fox television series Bones,[10] a writer for the 2012 Nickelodeon sitcom How to Rock, and a
producer on the 2014 satirical comedy film Dear White People.[18] Waithe wrote and appeared in the YouTube series
"Twenties" which was produced by Flavor Unit Entertainment and optioned in 2014 by BET.[19][20] In addition to
writing and directing the short film "Save Me", which was shown at several independent film festivals,[21] Waithe
wrote the 2013 web series "Hello Cupid" and the 2011 viral video Shit Black Girls Say.[18]

In 2014, Variety named Waithe as one of its "10 Comedians to Watch".[19] In August 2015, Showtime network
commissioned a pilot for an upcoming series, The Chi, written by Waithe and produced by Common, which tells a
The Primetime Emmy Award for
young urban African-American man's coming-of-age story.[22] As the show's creator, Waithe's goal was to bring her
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series is
experience growing up on the South Side and experiencing its diversity to craft a story that paints a more nuanced
an annual award presented as part of the
portrait of her hometown than is typically shown.[23] Similarly, Waithe continues to extend her influence to support
Primetime Emmy Awards. It recognizes writing
the African American community in the entertainment industry through her role as co-chair of the Committee of
excellence in regular comedic series, most of
Black Writers at the Writers Guild.[13] Waithe was cast in Master of None after meeting creator and lead actor Aziz
which can generally be described as situation
Ansari who, with Alan Yang, had originally written Denise as a straight, white woman with the potential, according to
comedies. It was first presented in 1955 as
Waithe, to evolve into one of the main character's love interests: "For some reason, [casting director] Allison Jones
thought about me for it, a black gay woman."[2] Ansari and Yang rewrote the script to make the character more like
Waithe: "All of us actors play heightened versions of ourselves."[2] She said, "I don't know if we've seen a sly, harem
pants-wearing, cool Topshop sweatshirt-wearing, snapback hat-rocking lesbian on TV."[10] She also said, "I know how
many women I see out in the world who are very much like myself. We exist. To me, the visibility of it was what was
going to be so important and so exciting."[10]

In 2017, Waithe and Ansari won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the
season 2 episode "Thanksgiving".[24] She became the first black woman to win the award.[24][25][26] Waithe described
the episode as based on her coming-out experience as a lesbian.[27] In her Emmy speech, she sent a special message to
her LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual)[28] family discussing how "The
things that make us different—those are our superpowers.".[29] She ended her speech by recognizing her journey as a
minority saying "thank you for embracing a little Indian boy from South Carolina and a little queer black girl from the
South Side of Chicago."[30] Waithe also developed an autobiographical drama series called The Chi.[31][32] Out
Magazine named Waithe the Out100: Artist of the Year on November 8, 2017.[33]

When Waithe is not actively working on writing, acting, or producing, she works to recruit more people of color and
queer artists for her film and television projects.[34]

Personal life
Waithe has been in a relationship with Alana Mayo, a content executive,[35] for three years.[36] They got engaged on
Thanksgiving Day 2017.[37]

Waithe described her family as "lazy Christians" and said in 2018, "I'm a huge believer in God, and Jesus Christ, and
that God made me and all those things. And I try to just be a good person. I think that is the base of my religion, is to
be good, is to be honest."[38]

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In August 2018, Waithe made the decision to cut her hair and stated that it made her feel "so free and so happy and so
joyful." [39]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes

2011 Save Me Director and writer; Short film

2014 Dear White People Producer

2014 Ladylike Co-producer

2018 Step Sisters Producer

2018 Ready Player One Aech / Helen

Television

Year Title Role Crew role, notes

2007–2008 Girlfriends Assistant to executive producer (2 episodes)

2012 M.O Diaries Writer

2012 How to Rock Writer (2 episodes)

2013 Hello Cupid Writer (7 episodes)

2014 Transparent Jane Episode: "Elizah"

2014 The Comeback Summer Episode: "Valerie Faces the Critics"

2014–2015 Bones Staff writer (15 episodes)

2015-2017 Master of None Denise Main cast, 2 seasons; Writer ("Thanksgiving")

2018 The Chi Creator, writer (3 episodes)

2018 This Is Us Animal Shelter Clerk Episode: "That'll Be the Day"

2018 Dear White People P. Ninny Guest (3 episodes)

Awards

Awards

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Year Nominated Work Organization Category Result

Master of None (Episode:

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy
2017 "Thanksgiving") Emmy Won
Series
(with Aziz Ansari)

2018 N/A MTV Trailblazer Award Won

2015 Dear White People Black Reel Outstanding Motion Picture Lost

2018 The Chi Black Reel Outstanding Drama Series Lost

2017 Master of None Gold Derby Comedy Episode of the Year Won

2014 Dear White People Gotham Audience Award Lost

2018 Ready Player One MTV Best on Screen Team Lost

Writers Guild of
2018 Master of None Comedy Series Lost
America

Film Independent
2015 Dear White People Best First Feature Lost
Spirit

2017 N/A Out Artist of the Year Won

2017 N/A The Advocate Person of the Year Lost

References
1. Rose, Lacey; O'Connell, Michael; Sandberg, Bryn Elise; Stanhope, Kate; Goldberg, Lesley (August 28, 2015).
"Next Gen Fall TV: 10 Stars Poised for Breakouts" (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/next-gen-fall-tv-10-81
7493). The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
2. Garcia, Patricia (November 17, 2015). "Meet Lena Waithe, Master of None's Wisest and Funniest BFF" (http://ww
w.vogue.com/13371492/lena-waithe-denise-master-of-none/). Vogue. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
3. Zwecker, Bill (November 3, 2015). "Chicagoan Lena Waithe Plays Herself (Sort Of) In Aziz Ansari's Netflix
Series" (http://entertainment.suntimes.com/movies/chicagoan-lena-waithe-co-stars-ansaris-new-netflix-series/).
Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
4. Falcone, Dana Rose (November 10, 2015). "Master of None cast reveal how they're just like their characters" (htt
p://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/10/master-of-none-cast-character-similarities). Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved
November 25, 2015.
5. Littleton, Cynthia (September 18, 2017). "Lena Waithe Makes Emmy History as First Black Woman to Win for
Comedy Writing" (https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/lena-waithe-wins-emmy-black-woman-comedy-writing-120256
2040/). Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
6. https://www.facebook.com/bethoniebutler. "Why Lena Waithe's historic Emmy win for 'Master of None' is so
meaningful" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/09/18/why-lena-waithes-hist
oric-emmy-win-for-master-of-none-is-so-meaningful/). Washington Post. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
7. Hyman, Dan (2018). "With 'The Chi,' Lena Waithe Heads Home in Search of the Real Chicago" (https://www.nyti
mes.com/2018/01/02/arts/television/lena-waithe-the-chi.html). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 (https://ww
w.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved January 4, 2018.
8. Swartz, Tracy (November 18, 2015). "Chicago-set pilot to be a mix of 'Fruitvale Station,' 'Crash' " (http://www.chic
agotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-master-of-none-lena-waithe-20151118-story.html). Chicago Tribune.
Retrieved December 2, 2015.
9. Harris, Marquita (February 5, 2016). "Why We 'Should Be Embarrassed' About This Year's Oscars" (http://www.re

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finery29.com/2016/02/102333/lena-waithe-master-of-none-interview). Refinery29. Retrieved February 6, 2016.

10. Weidenfeld, Lisa (November 18, 2015). " 'Master of None's' Lena Waithe Talks Accidental Stardom, 'Failure to
Launch' " (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/master-nones-lena-waithe-talks-841476). The Hollywood
Reporter. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
11. Mast, Audrey Michelle (July 11, 2014). "Lena Waithe (BA '06)" (http://www.colum.edu/academics/alumni/lena-wait
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12. Woodson, Jacqueline. "The Cover Story: Lena Waithe Is Changing the Game" (https://www.vanityfair.com/hollyw
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13. Woodson, Jacqueline (April 2018). "The Cover Story: Lena Waithe Is Changing the Game" (https://www.vanityfair.
com/hollywood/2018/03/lena-waithe-cover-story). Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
14. "Lena Waithe '06" (https://www.colum.edu/academics/alumni/lena-waithe.html). Retrieved December 1, 2017.
15. "Millennial Hustle" (http://blogs.colum.edu/demomagazine/2014/04/25/millennial-hustle/). DEMO Magazine. April
25, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
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cs/faculty/michael-fry.html) on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
17. Haithcoat, Rebecca (2018-01-05). "Master of None's Lena Waithe: 'If you come from a poor background, TV
becomes what you dream about' " (http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jan/05/master-of-nones-lena-w
aithe-if-you-come-from-a-poor-background-tv-becomes-what-you-dream-about). the Guardian. Retrieved
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18. Goldberg, Lesley (August 11, 2015). "Showtime Orders Black Coming-of-Age Drama Produced by Common" (htt
p://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/showtime-orders-black-coming-age-814424). The Hollywood Reporter.
Retrieved November 29, 2015.
19. Holman, Jordyn (July 1, 2014). "Comedian Lena Waithe Inks Deal With BET to Write Pilot 'Twenties' (Exclusive)"
(https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/bet-producing-lena-waithe-pilot-twenties-exclusive-1201256570/). Variety.
Retrieved November 30, 2015.
20. Hasin, Sarvat (August 28, 2013). "On Making Mirrors" (http://the-toast.net/2013/08/28/on-making-mirrors/). The
Toast. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
21. Fox, Sarah (August 11, 2015). "Lena Waithe, Common to create coming of age drama series" (http://theslanted.c
om/2015/08/20156/lena-waithe-common-to-create-coming-of-age-drama-series/). The / Slanted. Retrieved
December 1, 2015.
22. Littleton, Cynthia (January 9, 2017). "Showtime Gives Series Order to Drama 'The Chi' " (https://variety.com/2017
/tv/news/showtime-the-chi-lena-waithe-jason-mitchell-series-order-1201956428/). Variety. Retrieved October 12,
2017.
23. Metz, Nina. "Writers and cast of Lena Waithe's 'The Chi' aim to show South Side in a different light" (http://www.c
hicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-mov-set-visit-the-chi-20170915-story.html). chicagotribune.com. Retrieved
October 12, 2017.
24. Moniuszko, Sara M. (May 16, 2017). "Lena Waithe's powerful Emmys speech: Our differences 'are our
superpowers' " (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/09/17/lena-waithe-gavebecame-first-black-
woman-win-emmy-writing-comedy-series-and-delivered-powerful-speec/675860001/). USA Today. Retrieved
September 18, 2017.
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anding-writing-for-a-comedy-series). Television Academy. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
26. Saraiya, Sonia. "Lena Waithe on Being the 1st Black Woman Nom'd for Comedy Writing Emmy" (https://variety.co
m/2017/tv/news/master-of-none-lena-waithe-comedy-writing-emmy-award-1202516324/). Variety. Retrieved
August 6, 2017.
27. Villarreal, Yvonne (August 10, 2017). "How Lena Waithe's coming-out story inspired the 'Master of None'

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External links
Lena Waithe (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2913119/) on IMDb

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lena_Waithe&oldid=866075425"

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