Lena Waithe Quotes

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Lena Waithe

Profession : Actress

Birth : May 17, 1984

I always love where I can plug a black woman in anywhere, and when that comes up, I don't say, 'Oh that has to be a black woman.' I say, 'Why not a black woman?'

Lena Waithe

I don't like beating people on the head with the message. I don't like standing on the soapbox.

Lena Waithe

My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there, I feel very close to it, and I visit very often.

Lena Waithe

I write for my people.

Lena Waithe

Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is how I feel most comfortable. This is my authentic self. I want the freedom to be that regardless of how someone interprets it.

Lena Waithe

I can't stop my comedic voice.

Lena Waithe

My aesthetic is very black.

Lena Waithe

It's interesting how things you hear as a kid take on a whole new meaning when you are an adult.

Lena Waithe

I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff, very much into TV shows, and would critique them.

Lena Waithe

One of my favorites is 'Parks and Recreation.' Great show; awesome writing; beautiful, diverse cast. They also have a very diverse writer's room, which I love.

Lena Waithe

Growing up, I didn't just watch 'The Cosby Show.' I watched 'Growing Pains' and 'Family Ties,' too.

Lena Waithe

I actually really liked 'The Help.' I know that may not be a popular thing, but I thought it was a solid film. It wasn't 'Roots.' It wasn't 'The Color Purple.' But you couldn't pick it apart in terms of storytelling, and I thought the characters were well written.

Lena Waithe

It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.

Lena Waithe

I consider myself more of a writer than I do a director.

Lena Waithe

For me, my brand is good storytelling.

Lena Waithe

I'm not asking for there to be all black writer's rooms or all Asian writer's rooms, or all white - I want them all to be diverse. When it's diverse, you're going to have a completely different dynamic. Everybody feels othered. Nobody feels like they've got the upper hand.

Lena Waithe

I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid going to an away game. And I always say no, I'm a fan of the game.

Lena Waithe

I'm a big believer in writing really good dialogue.

Lena Waithe

Obviously, I love Steph Curry. I think he's dope and a really cool player to watch.

Lena Waithe