Your friends and family have probably recited her character’s lines or sent a gif featuring her memorable quotes.
Big or small roles, she’s truly a treasure on the big screen.
Now, she has a new inspirational and dynamic character to join the roster withHow to Die Aloneon Hulu.
She shared how her personal journey connects with Mel, what living truthfully looks like, and more.
We also had a chance to glance back at her past career milestones.
What was the driving force behind wanting to tell this story?
Understanding the difference for me wasn’t something that came naturally.
I kind of misunderstood them for a long time, until I started therapy in my early 20s.
Which of your smaller roles do you feel had the most impact on your career?
Oh, my goodness.
So many…Love, Simonwas incredible.
I just loved that role because I was a high school theater teacher.
It ticked a lot of boxes.
He’s been such a champion of my work and a huge support.
So yeah, that role and that experience was really meaningful.
NOW: You’re an inspiration for writers and producers who also act.
What do you find is most challenging when working from script to screen?
Script to screen is hard.
It’s just hard.
That’s just a fact.
I was like, “Oh, I can do all the things I wanted to do.”
I was like, I want to do all of these things.
I’m not sure how to make it happen.
There are obviously dozens of iconic Kelli Prennyquotes and momentsfromInsecure.
Which scene from all five seasons that included Kelli resonated with you most?
Ooh, that is a great question.
I love them all.
You’re asking a Libra to choose.
This is not fair.
It’s just not.
There are so many that are my favorite for different reasons.
I’m trying to think of one specifically.
There’s a scene, and again, I’m not saying it’s my favorite.
I’m saying it’sone ofmy favorites.
Me and Issa improvised in the scene.
You know, obviously, I cut my teeth in improv.
I love doing it.
Not a lot of people know this about Issa Rae, but she is an incredible improviser.
And it was just a fun ass day.
What does living life to the fullest look like for Natasha Rothwell?
To me, it’s honoring my needs and being unapologetic about it.
I love solo traveling.
I love going to concerts by myself.
There wasn’t a man going to this…Broadway play with me I’m going by myself.
There wasn’t a man walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and going to Grimaldi’s.
It was me by myself.
It opened up my world a great deal and allowed me to feel like I’m living fully.
I think it’s a lot of people who make that mistake.
THEN: You were an active voice during the 2023 Writer’s Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
When giants fight, the grass gets trampled.
It was incredibly difficult, but it was incredibly necessary to get the gains that we got.
But there’s still more work to do.
We’re still recovering from it.
I saw in the trades that it was called the “great contraction.”
I don’t take it for granted.
Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Again, I’m a Libra.
I can’t choose.
I really feel that I definitely got everything out of it.
And so they’ve been a true inspiration.
How did thoseexperiencesin sketch comedy and writing prepare you for the career you built for yourself today?
Oh, totally and completely.
I started out doing it in high school.
and all of that.
It was definitely impactful in prepping me for this career because it’s so much of what I do.
It requires you to be agile and pivot on a dime.
When I’m writing, I use improv when I write.
It helped me find my comedic voice.
It really gave me a place to allow my brain to function at its highest operating speed.
NOW: You have some big projects coming up!
Belinda’s returning inWhite Lotus,and Rachel’s returning inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
What were your initial thoughts or reaction to Reesa’s story?
My initial thought was that this is the most radical act of vulnerability I’d ever seen.
Her stories were at times hilarious and then heart-moving and devastating.
That’s a hallmark of a great storyteller and someone who understands that’s what people lean in for.
It’s that real, honest portrayal of life and life’s experiences.
So, yeah, I’m excited about it.
Have you ever taken a prop home after wrapping one of your projects?
If so, what have you kept?
I thought, since Mel is an auntie, it’s super cute that she has something like that.
So when I left, I took it.
I’ve been traveling with it.
I have it up on my little hook on my nightstand as well.
For a second, I thought you were going to say “I took all the furniture fromInsecure.”
I wanted all Molly’s furniture.
I was like, yesss.
What would you say is the biggest difference between 2014 Natasha and 2024 Natasha?
I think the biggest difference is confidence, speaking my needs, and advocating for them, unapologetically.
Being a boundary baddie.
