Photo: Sean Costello. Inset: Getty
AllowIssa Raeto curate your stay in South L.A.
The 37-year-old actress, writer and producer is taking on the role of one-time Airbnb host as Los Angeles prepares to hold the2022 Super Bowl. For the event, Rae has teamed up with the vacation rental platform to “showcase my version of the city,” and offer guests the chance to experience the neighborhood where she grew up in South L.A., which was featured in her Emmy-winning series,Insecure.
“I am such a champion for this part of L.A.,” Rae tells PEOPLE. “I spent an entire series here just to showcase all I have to offer, and the idea of being able to give people an experience that I got to curate to show people why it’s amazing just really excited me.”
Those hoping to book this one-time stay for up to two guests from February 12 to 14, can request to book beginning February 8 at 10 a.m. PT atairbnb.com/issa. The cost is $56 per night, a nod to Super Bowl LVI.
Credit Phylicia J. L. Munn
Although her HBO show came to an end in December after five seasons, Rae says it’s “flattering” seeing fans continue to engage with the places showcased on the series.
“So many people visit like the Worldwide tacos I see, and obviously The Dunes people go to. If we feature things, people are always tagging me,” says Rae, who hopes whoever visits the city – not just those coming for the Super Bowl – “really takes in all of my local favorites.”
“The first time I ever rented an Airbnb, I did it to write the season two premiere [of the show]. I rented this house in Malibu from this lovely lady, and I just stayed in her backyard,” she recalls. “Because I finished writing it early, I had an extra day left in Malibu, and I had rented this car. And I was like, ‘You know what? I don’t want to send this car back, like I paid for an extra day and I want to make my money off of it.’ And I don’t want to return it with the full gas, so I tried to be a Lyft driver. But I got rejected.”
However, it wasn’t a total bust. After her failed ride share attempt, she brought the idea to the writers' room and it contributed to the inspiration for her character’s storyline the next season.
As for her Super Bowl guests' experience, Rae says she’s “grateful” for the opportunity to “let people discover this particular neighborhood that isn’t a typical destination.”
She promises the stay will be “a blend” between herself and her character, but that she’s “taking ownership” of it. “This is in the area that I grew up in … this is very much me,” she explains. “And I think my love for the city really comes across in the same way that Issa Dee’s love for the city really develops. I think anybody who stays in this house will appreciate obviously the neighborhood and the little pieces and touches of South L.A. culture that are on the inside.”
source: people.com
