Rachel Sennott Reveals Her Journey with ‘I Love LA’ and Why NYC Finale Was Perfect

WARNING: This article reveals key plot points from the Season 1 finale of HBO’s I Love LA.

Rachel Sennott’s comedic series I Love LA concludes its inaugural season not amidst the palm trees of its namesake city, but rather in its East Coast counterpart, New York.

Having sabotaged her boss and lost her job at Alyssa180, protagonist Maia (played by Sennott) exhausts her credit reserves to ensure her best friend and sole client, Tallulah (Odessa A’zion), makes it to an opulent influencer event on the East Coast.

“The cities themselves become characters within the narrative,” Sennott explained to Deadline, regarding her choice to set the finale in New York. “New York, in a way, symbolizes their history. Throughout the season, Tallulah’s connections to New York and Maia’s mixed feelings about LA hint at their unresolved issues from the past. The decision to confront these issues and then return to LA, punctuated by the closing line, ‘God, I miss LA,’ stemmed from that dynamic.”

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The episode opens with Maia taking a significant risk on Tallulah, whose loyalty wavers due to her lack of self-awareness. This is evident when Tallulah rejects a stylist’s choice of dress for the influencer dinner, opting instead to swipe a different outfit from his collection—a major misstep, especially considering Maia’s recent job sacrifice to support her friend’s opportunity.

To compound matters, Maia’s boss Alyssa (Leighton Meester) had not been entirely forthright either, having deceived Maia to steal a crucial meeting to promote her own client. Despite a season of being overshadowed by Alyssa, Maia finally asserts herself, refusing to let her boss derail this pivotal moment.

“Alyssa is conflicted because while she wants to encourage Maia, there are limits,” Sennott remarked. “Maia’s approach, though unorthodox and somewhat reckless, seems necessary under the circumstances.”

This dynamic reflects a familiar struggle for young women today, caught between adhering to established norms and the need to forge new paths in structures traditionally not designed for them. “That’s exactly it,” Sennott chimed in. “You start to challenge the status quo because it frustrates you, then when you begin charting your own course, you realize just how challenging it is. At that point, the very system you rebelled against suddenly finds a place for you, and it’s tempting to take it.”

Maia’s choices throughout I Love LA reflect not just her character’s journey but also mirror Sennott’s own experiences in the entertainment industry.

“Starting out, I sought validation from influential industry figures and felt overlooked. Then, I turned to supportive women within the industry,” Sennott recounted. “It’s crucial to note that it’s not about demonizing any group; people are just people. But the early boosts in my career came from collaborating closely with peers, which, while daunting, proved more fruitful than depending on established power structures.”

However, personal growth in one’s 20s is often accompanied by numerous setbacks. Maia’s professional strides are contrasted with her tumultuous personal life, particularly with her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hutcherson). Their relationship strains as Maia prioritizes her career and friends, leading to misunderstandings and jealousy at a social gathering, ultimately culminating in a break and mutual infidelities.

“Everyone views Maia as difficult, but balancing a career and a relationship is immensely challenging,” Sennott reflected. “Both Dylan and Maia have points, but discovering Dylan’s betrayal won’t be easy for her. Crafting such complex, morally ambiguous situations is what makes writing so thrilling.”

With I Love LA renewed for a second season, Sennott is eager to explore the myriad directions the narrative could take. “There’s so much potential for next season, and I’m excited to develop these ideas further with the writing team,” she concluded.

Sennott feels she has found her rhythm, particularly from episode six onward, believing the series will continue to evolve and resonate more deeply with audiences. “I hope viewers find the series increasingly engaging as it progresses, rather than the opposite,” she added, referencing a popular meme to illustrate her point.

All episodes of I Love LA Season 1 are available for streaming on HBO Max.