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Lena WaitheAmerican actress, producer and screenwriter
Date of Birth: 17.05.1984
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Lena Waithe was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 17, 1984. From a young age, she had aspirations of becoming a television writer rather than an actress. With the unwavering support of her single mother and grandmother, she pursued her dreams. She attended Turner-Drew Elementary School and Evanston Township High School before earning a degree in Film and Video Production from Columbia College Chicago in 2006.
Writing Career
Waithe's career trajectory began as a writer for the Fox series "Bones" in 2007. She later wrote for the Nickelodeon sitcom "How to Rock" in 2012 and served as a producer for the satirical comedy film "Dear White People" in 2014. In addition, she co-wrote and starred in the YouTube series "Twenties" in 2014. Her other writing credits include the web series "Hello Cupid" (2013) and the viral video "Shit Black Girls Say."
Master of None and Emmy Win
Waithe's breakthrough role came in 2015 when she was cast as Denise in the Netflix series "Master of None." She co-wrote the show's second season episode "Thanksgiving," which won her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2017. Waithe became the first Black woman to receive the award. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized the importance of inclusivity and representation.
Creating The Chi
In 2015, Showtime ordered a pilot for a new series, "The Chi," written by Waithe and executive produced by Common. The show depicts the coming-of-age story of a young African American boy. Waithe's goal in creating the show was to present a nuanced and authentic portrayal of her hometown.
Personal Life
Waithe is an openly lesbian actress and writer. She was in a relationship with Alana Mayo, a marketing executive, for three years. They became engaged on Thanksgiving 2017 and married in 2019. The couple announced their separation in 2020. Waithe has described her family as "lazy Christians."
