Amanda Seales Speaks On Her Strained Relationship With ‘Insecure’ Co-Star Issa Rae: “She Was Not Empowering To Me”

Itsmeokay said:

Wait a minute, Issa wasn't even there? IKYL. Why does she keep bringing her name up? She said the cast was there and they didn't stand up for her. Why didn't she name the cast members who were actually there?

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Because the publicist doesn’t work for the cast. The publicist works for Issa. Publicists can’t do things this grand without getting an OK from their boss

miss chief said:

I believe Amanda too. Issa’s publicist kicking Amanda out of the party was messed up and Issa is definitely involved. She’s a snake and threatened by Amanda

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Threatened by Amanda when she can barely keep a gig/job? Threatened by Amanda's terrible rep?

Mz. Judgement said:

I know this site switched up but I'm still on the she's the problem and annoying witch train. I'm on Issa's side

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Me too

blondedxmas said:

Threatened by Amanda when she can barely keep a gig/job? Threatened by Amanda's terrible rep?

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Amanda has had many jobs : music, acting, radio, author, comedian, podcasting, daytime TV, and a masters degree from Columbia . That’s why I don’t believe she’s autistic or that she’s difficult to work with. If nothing else, She Keeps a job or jobs and she loves school.

The terrible rep came from Issa’s peanut gallery

Amanda fits more for NYC not Fake ass Hwood/La . It’s a real game out there

miss chief said:

Amanda has had many jobs : music, acting, radio, author, comedian, podcasting, daytime TV, and a masters degree from Columbia . That’s why I don’t believe she’s autistic or that she’s difficult to work with. If nothing else, She Keeps a job and she loves school.

The terrible rep came from Issa’s peanut gallery

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she mentioned how that situation ruined her rep so people NOW don't want to work with her because of word of mouth

amanda needs more people, i don't believe her.

i'm sick of hearing about her too.

Akimbo said:

They could have moved earlier. Or she and Kelly could have just had some off screen beef that got her iced out. She was in just over half of all the episodes anyway (24 out of 44).

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It's possible that someone with a grudge could have orchestrated Amanda's departure from the show. But this suggest that Issa didn't have any problems with Amanda, given her decision to keep her.

If things were that bad, why would Issa choose to keep Amanda around? And if Issa was indeed a "mean girl," then why wouldn't she leverage her power to have Amanda removed from the show?

lol, basically I’m not picking up what Amanda is putting down.

Issa Rae is a boss/writer/producer of a hit show that ran 5 seasons. She does not have time to worry about the trials of an actress that is 7th on the call sheet. Kick rocks Amanda. Mean girl, stressed out, Capricorn energy, or whatever she probably realized quickly that Amanda had issues. Also, where is the gratitude? Issa gave her one of the biggest opportunities of her career… Where are Amanda’s friends? Why is no one backing this woe is me nonsense up?
I think it’s admirable that Issa has successfully navigated the industry privately… Can’t say the same for Amanda Seales. The world knows if she has a stomachache. Why? Because she gonna shout it from the rooftops and look ridiculous while doing it.

miss chief said:

Because the publicist doesn’t work for the cast. The publicist works for Issa. Publicists can’t do things this grand without getting an OK from their boss

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The publicist created and hosted the party. She can work for Issa and still run her party however she wants.

miss chief said:

Amanda has had many jobs : music, acting, radio, author, comedian, podcasting, daytime TV, and a masters degree from Columbia . That’s why I don’t believe she’s autistic or that she’s difficult to work with. If nothing else, She Keeps a job or jobs and she loves school.

The terrible rep came from Issa’s peanut gallery

Amanda fits more for NYC not Fake ass Hwood/La . It’s a real game out there

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But Amanda got ran out of NYC because of her terrible reputation which predates Issa Rae and her “peanut gallery”. Lmao

Amanda the loser is always complaining about someone.

This woman is insufferable. The only time I hear her name is when it's involved in some mess. I think it's over for her in the US unless she does a 180°. She should visit a psychiatrist, not just a therapist, get treatment (because you know she needs it), move somewhere far, far away and start over. I could see her in the UK.

Let’s call a spade a spade. Issa’a publicist didn’t mess with Amanda and thought she was bad for the brand. I don’t believe for one millisecond that said publicist and Issa weren’t having conversations about the entire cast and who they like and dont etc. The publicist felt comfy kicking Amanda out because of said convos. Amanda really didn’t have a huge role to begin with but the fact that Amanda said Issa told her she thought she was like her character says a lot.

It says that Issa didn’t really mess with Amanda on a personal level either. Not enough to defend her, or come to her aid when things were being spread about her. Not enough to bring her back into the party.

Lol Issa has a “sharpness,” To her because she is a producer/creator. It is on her to ensure that the project gets done and performs well.

I think Amanda is an intelligent woman, but she seems to have a strong personality. It’s very possible that she has autism and rubs people the wrong way. We have to ask, what made the publicist not like her? Why has she had bad run ins with other caste members? How come no one defended her? Im sure she has probably left a sour taste in Issas mouth here and there, which is why Issa responded how she did.

& Don’t forget about Amanda’s gig on “The Real.” I remember she was very rude and hasty to some guests. She was so rude to Tiffany pollard, rolling her eyes, making faces and all, although Tiffany came on the show with good and sweet energy.

There was a time where I noticed that Tamara was communicating with amanda like she was walking on eggshells with her. Tamara was very giggly (which is what some people do as a ‘safety,’ measure to not offend the other person/come across as threatening).

Amanda is domineering and blunt, and does not care to read the room. She herself said she remembers even being like this as a kid (correcting the teacher) maybe it really is an automatic thing with her.

I think she would perform well being the host of her own show.

Amulet said:

so what's the tea on the publicist?

and we need to hear Issa's side of the story.

but if Issa really hates her that much, why didn't she have her fired from the show altogether? Could the show not have gone on without Amanda?

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I want tea on what Amanda did to this publicist and if it’s true she got drunk and peed on the floor at the last party?

I'm sorry but none of this makes me dislike Issa. I don't see where she's wrong here.

BLKBAMBI said:

So Issa just starred in white feminism film Barbie while she thought it was okay to have 4 men gang up to kick Amanda out of some party. That is foul. And it was also a white passing Latina that was barking orders at an event that was for black people. other races of women always welcomed with open arms at functions for black people.

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The way you tried to twist the narrative. Vanessa, a black woman who hosted this black party, banned Amanda. Vanessa's security guards who were men and a Latina woman manager kicked Amanda out.

You really tried to throw in all these different races and men to act like this was a racial thing. Vanessa hosted a black party. Vanessa has beef with Amanda and banned her from the party, and kicked her out when she showed up. The end.

Knosy said:

The way you tried to twist the narrative. Vanessa, a black woman who hosted this black party, banned Amanda. Vanessa's security guards who were men and a Latina woman manager kicked Amanda out.

You really tried to throw in all these different races and men to act like this was a racial thing. Vanessa hosted a black party. Vanessa has beef with Amanda and banned her from the party, and kicked her out when she showed up. The end.

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I am not trying nothing. I am re-caping what Amanda said in the interview

Karvel said:

So Issa's crime is wanting to focus on work instead of getting pulled into her drama. The fact that no one on the cast cared for her is telling.

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If you read between the lines all that smoke from the Publicist was actually Issa using the publicist to do the dirty work for her.Her”not wanting to get involved “ yet getting involved to call her up saying the publicist wanted to speak with her just to tell her the reason “I got you kicked out because I don’t like you”.

I might get dragged, although I do believe Amanda deserves to be protected and belongs in black spaces as a strong advocate for black women. She is not likeable and that's okay! She's annoying and I can say all that and still support her as a black women. She does not have a likable personality at all she comes of like an up tight prude who looks down on any women who does not fit her mold of "black excellence'. Issa didn't like her and many others don't and they are entitled to that, you cannot force Issa a grown woman to fake it with her

It sounds like she was asked to leave multiple times and didn't. Security had to escort her? Smh. If it's not YOUR party you need to GTFO when You're told to leave

They came back to work and nobody mentioned it....and that is somehow a problem?

She seems like she goes into situations hoping to create "content" for herself.

WEHT that dude who was on ABG back when it was on YouTube & threatened to “expose” Issa when she didn’t hire him for the HBO show.

QueenBei said:

Let’s call a spade a spade. Issa’a publicist didn’t mess with Amanda and thought she was bad for the brand. I don’t believe for one millisecond that said publicist and Issa weren’t having conversations about the entire cast and who they like and dont etc. The publicist felt comfy kicking Amanda out because of said convos. Amanda really didn’t have a huge role to begin with but the fact that Amanda said Issa told her she thought she was like her character says a lot.

It says that Issa didn’t really mess with Amanda on a personal level either. Not enough to defend her, or come to her aid when things were being spread about her. Not enough to bring her back into the party.

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But thats the part that keeps getting left out of her story. Issa wasn't there and the publicist had beef with Amanda at a prior non related event years before. You just cant show up to party hosted by someone you aren't cool with as somebody else plus one.

Its just surprising Issa is still being brought up because she was even on Amanda's podcast after it happened. I thought they cleared the air with everything

BLKBAMBI said:

I am not trying nothing. I am re-caping what Amanda said in the interview

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Amanda didn't say anything about 'white feminist barbie' you are purposely trying to tie that in to paint Issa a certain way.
You aren't slick.

All the other black people were allowed in the black party, it was Amanda who was not allowed in, the men and Latina woman were barking orders on behalf of Vanessa the black woman who hosted the party.

The funny thing is there is a thread on here back when the party happened. Back then Amanda explained on her IG stories that she was banned from that party the year before as well, but she snuck in as a plus one to Jill Scott

I like Amanda, she's very talented and intellectual and outspoken which is not appreciated on black women. I met her in person, she spoke at the ACC conference I think she was mostly known for hosting on MTV then but she was very nice and down to earth and encouraging. In order to thrive in Hollywood esque places probably need a certain amount of vanity, arrogance, cut throatness, she didn't give that vibe.

COWBOYS said:

Is she on a podcast or radio show or something? Why is she always talking?

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She needs to be on one because she talks a lot. That is the profession she needs to be in.

And I may not like her personality but she's dragging Issa Rae's ol punk ass, so I'm here for it because Issa has been offered the chance of a lifetime to make an impact and you know what she creates? Nothing but sh!tty ass shows with characters that are piss poor representations of black women. They all are the WORST depictions and that is why Issa keeps getting money thrown at her....because she doesn't make anything that shows a well put together blend of black women. They always are loud and ghetto and lesbian studs.

We're over it. We want different sh!t other than "n*&&a this and that" and "b!tch what?" from Issa. Issa is like Tyler Perry....modern day minstrel show content creators.

AMANDA....I DON'T ROCK WITH YOU, BUT DRAG ISSA AND HER 100 COUNT TEEFS

Vixy76 said:

I like Amanda, she's very talented and intellectual and outspoken which is not appreciated on black women. I met her in person, she spoke at the ACC conference I think she was mostly known for hosting on MTV then but she was very nice and down to earth and encouraging. In order to thrive in Hollywood esque places probably need a certain amount of vanity, arrogance, cut throatness, she didn't give that vibe.

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She is too real and too much of a truth teller so it was never going to be a good fit long term.

She likes to call out bµllsh!t way too much and she can't do that and be herself in that work environment.

Amanda is better off having her own podcast or youtube channel where she calls the shots and has the freedom to discuss whatever she likes. She loves to talk and doesn't mind being controversial so she would thrive in a space where she had full control of her content.

Amulet said:

so what's the tea on the publicist?

and we need to hear Issa's side of the story.

but if Issa really hates her that much, why didn't she have her fired from the show altogether? Could the show not have gone on without Amanda?

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Issa probably didn't fire Vanessa because they most likely smashed.

YewserName said:

I get what she’s saying, but I do wonder what prompted her to have Amanda kicked out?

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Amanda is nuts.

She doesn't get along with people no matter where she goes, which explains why she was not invited to the party. She bogarted her way into the party anyway .. just so that she could be asked to leave. :/

Who would do that? If I wasn't invited, I would be hurt, but I wouldn't show up anyway. Duh!

It is also telling that none of the staff mentioned the incident when they got back on the set.

I don´t believe she is on the spectrum. Besides, she said, she self-diagnosed that condition. :/

Sheś just an Ahole.

pompusaloe said:

I genuinely feel like Seales isn't lying about Issa. There is a sharpness to her that is not related to wit.

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Yep.

I love the transparency but why do these celebs keep going to that country bumpkin who can’t talk good to speak on serious matters? He be stumbling over his words and just saying something stupid.

mesmerize said:

Did she say that? Do you have a timestamp? Because fonts in here was swearing she had a diagnosis.

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In that interview she said she had figured out she had autism on her own. :/

CallmeQueenB said:

How do you know? So many neurodivergent women confirmed and affirmed her self diagnosis , including me.

And she doesn’t have to. A self diagnosis is valid. Are yall gonna pay for it? Lol

The thing is she just seems straightforward and neurotypical people hate that lol as an ND person I love Amanda.

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I find it so fascinating that people don't seem to believe that she took a test that adults take online to see if they're on the spectrum. I have friends who've taken it.

Yet we have so many non-doctors here trying to diagnose her as been a narc or having bipolar etc. Make it make sense.

QueenBei said:

Let’s call a spade a spade. Issa’a publicist didn’t mess with Amanda and thought she was bad for the brand. I don’t believe for one millisecond that said publicist and Issa weren’t having conversations about the entire cast and who they like and dont etc. The publicist felt comfy kicking Amanda out because of said convos. Amanda really didn’t have a huge role to begin with but the fact that Amanda said Issa told her she thought she was like her character says a lot.

It says that Issa didn’t really mess with Amanda on a personal level either. Not enough to defend her, or come to her aid when things were being spread about her. Not enough to bring her back into the party.

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I listened to the whole thing and that was my take as well. I am sure her publicist and Issa used to dog out Amanda behind the scenes but then Issa had to wear the boss coworker hate and address it as fairly as she could when confronted by Amanda.

I think Amanda needs to stops talking so much. In fact, as a Zen Buddhist, I would suggest a retreat of meditation and a year of total silence to get her mind right and centered. Even when she is right, her victories are pyrrhic ones because she is too emotionally attached and hurt so it makes her defensive and unbalanced.

violette1984 said:

I can see it both ways. It makes sense thinking about Amanda having autism and not fitting in.

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Everyone has autism these days, ain’t it?

icantdothistoday said:

capricorn women are horrible people. i dont make the rules.

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Y'all have got to stop with these generalizations lol there's so much more to consider.

I don't care about Amanda Seales one way or the other.

In fact, the only thing I think about her any time her name is brought up or I see an image of her is: "Oh, she's pretty - I remember her from My Brother and Me.". That's it. That's LITERALLY it.

I don't listen to a word she says.

She's just not...FOR ME. She can be for y'all, but she's just not my type of gurl.

And it's totally ok. It is what it is.

My only question is...like..why is she so keen, it seems, on "gaining support" from "the community"?

She's like a "content creator" right? So, is she just trying to make sure she "gain supports" from "her community" to keep her youtube channel numbers up as well as engagement on Instagram? Is that it? A financial interest?

Like, I don't even understand what that means.

I can't tell who she's trying to convince/entertain with these bold proclamations around her being "wronged" and what the fµck we are supposed to do about it.

Like...what is the call to action? What does she want "her community" to do?

I'd honestly like some feedback here.

Knosy said:

Amanda didn't say anything about 'white feminist barbie' you are purposely trying to tie that in to paint Issa a certain way.
You aren't slick.

All the other black people were allowed in the black party, it was Amanda who was not allowed in, the men and Latina woman were barking orders on behalf of Vanessa the black woman who hosted the party.

The funny thing is there is a thread on here back when the party happened. Back then Amanda explained on her IG stories that she was banned from that party the year before as well, but she snuck in as a plus one to Jill Scott

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So she got banned from another party, too?

I mean, WHO gets banned from parties?

That was unusual. Most people just get along and get invited just because they are part of the cast.

I'll bet she's terrible to work with, and people can't wait to get away from her.

Amanda is very attention seeking. I could see how that could rub other cast members the wrong way. Even now, it seems she is using Issa's name to garner more attention to herself.

Akimbo said:

They could have moved earlier. Or she and Kelly could have just had some off screen beef that got her iced out. She was in just over half of all the episodes anyway (24 out of 44).

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Or she could have tanked the character like SJP did to “Samantha” on SATC. SJP couldn’t stand Kim Catrall so she made the character a caricature/side show. She was insecure, aged rapidly, and did ridiculous stuff like fµck gross little men in the toilet and then cry about it.

Issa was still giving “Tiffany” humanizing storylines with depth.