Before Issa Rae‘s “Insecure” series blew up, the show’s creator was trying to get some extra money by being a Lyft driver (the American version of Taxify). Even after the first season of “Insecure” had already debuted.
Just two years ago before all of the “Insecure” fame and accolades, the two-time Golden Globe nominated actress tried her hand as a part-time Lyft driver.
“I rented a car to write the first episodes [of the second season of the show] in December, and the rental car that I had, I drove it all the way to Malibu.”
“I bought a full tank [of gas] but I didn’t use it. So I thought, ‘I’m not returning this car with all this gas. I paid for it — I’m just going to lose money.’ ”
While her hit HBO series was gaining momentum in the media, she still was a regular girl who wasn’t about to let a full tank of gas go to waste. So, before she returned the rental, she thought she could make some quick cash by driving folks around.
“So I filled out the application. I got the sticker [to go on her car from Lyft] and then I got denied because I had some stupid traffic violation in 2014.”
It still worked in her favor though. She told the “Insecure” writers about the experience and it became inspiration for the series.
“I told the writers how I tried to do that and they found it hilarious. And they asked, ‘What if people recognized you?’ But I wasn’t even thinking about that, because Season 2 [of ‘Insecure’] didn’t even come out yet. And it was in Malibu so I thought that I would be OK.”
She added, “There are so many creative people using ride sharing as a means to make some additional income, and Issa definitely needed that extra income.”
Imagine grabbing a Lyft and Issa is driving! Ha!
