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Issa Rae’s Unscripted Series “Sweet Life: Los Angeles” Premieres on HBO Max

by Naomi Pandolfi August 23, 2021
by Naomi Pandolfi August 23, 2021 0 comments
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On August 19th, 2021, HBO Max introduced “Sweet Life: Los Angeles,” an unscripted series from Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Issa Rae (HBO’s “Insecure” and “A Black Lady Sketch Show”).

“Sweet Life” follows a friend group comprised of seven Black twenty-somethings working to attain success in Los Angeles. Viewers have the pleasure of watching as the friends navigate through life’s relatable, yet chaotic, moments. Shining a light on Black culture in South LA, “Sweet Life” takes a close look at how this generation handles important issues like mental health, parenthood, finances, and gentrification.

In honor of the “Sweet Life” premiere, an intimate screening, gathering together some of LA’s finest press, influences, and industry professionals, took place atop the elegant NeueHouse of Hollywood on August 18th. All guests were required to show proof of vaccination and provide negative Covid results prior to the event in order to gain access. Due to the pandemic’s uptick regarding the Delta variant, the event was pared down, hence the decision to offer a more intimate setting.

The venue presented eye-catching boho chic-inspired decor, filled with the fresh combination of wood and fresh shrubbery accents. The first two episodes of the breakthrough series were shown via a huge screen perched high in the air, providing all guests the chance to witness the premiere on, truly, ‘the big screen.’

Upon arrival, guests were treated to a tasteful spread of celebratory champagne and specialty-themed cocktails, “Good Vibes Only” and “The Sweet Life.” An array of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres were served throughout the night, including delish miniatures of classic dishes like chicken and waffles, brioche beef sliders, avocado toast, and passionfruit cheesecakes. Meanwhile, DJ R-Tistic kept the crowd vibing all night long with a setlist of some of the hottest hits.

The “Sweet Life” cast was unable to attend the screening, due to being in a production bubble, but the fabulously talented, Black girl magic boss babe and series creator Issa Rae stepped out in style to partake in the viewing and mingle with guests. Rae pointed out two special guests in the audience — “Sweet Life” producer Ashley Calloway and executive producer Sheri Maroufkhani (BET’s “Baldwin Hills). Other notable attendees included Yvonne Orji (“Insecure”), Kamie Crawford (Miss Teen USA 2010), Karrueche Tran (“The Bay,” “Claws”), Shaun Ross (model), and Freddie Ransome (Buzzfeed).

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Isaa Rae attends the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Isaa Rae attends the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Isaa Rae attends the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Isaa Rae, EP Sheri Maroufkhani, Yvonne Orji attend the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Isaa Rae and Yvonne Orji attend at the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Sun de Graaf, EP Isaa Rae, EP Sheri Maroufkhani and Ashley Calloway attend at the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Sun de Graaf, EP Isaa Rae, EP Sheri Maroufkhani and Ashley Calloway attend at the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Sun de Graaf, EP Isaa Rae, EP Sheri Maroufkhani and Ashley Calloway attend at the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Sun de Graaf, EP Isaa Rae, EP Sheri Maroufkhani and Ashley Calloway attend at the Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Pyongson "Sunny" Yim, Charlie Van Fleet, EP Sun de Graaf, Jen O'Connell, Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, Ashley Calloway, EP Sheri Maroufkhani, Ashley Calloway and Nichole Roberts attend the HBO Max Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EP Sun de Graaf, Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, EP Issa Rae, Jen O'Connell, Nichole Roberts and EP Sheri Maroufkhani attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Pyongson "Sunny" Yim, Charlie Van Fleet, EP Sun de Graaf, EVP, Original Programming, Jen O'Connell, Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, Ashley Calloway, EP Sheri Maroufkhani and Nichole Roberts attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, EP, Issa Rae, EVP, Original Programming, Jen O'Connell and Nichole Roberts attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, EP, Issa Rae, EVP, Original Programming, Jen O'Connell and Nichole Roberts attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Tatyana Ali, Jamal Ali and Katherine Cooke attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Shaun Ross and Karrueche Tran attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Ashley Calloway, Kamie Crawford and EP Sheri Maroufkhani attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Kamie Crawford attends the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Mariah Dyson (L) and Felicia La Tour attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: (L-R) EVP, Original programming, Jen O'Connell, Head, Original Content, Sarah Aubrey, Nichole Roberts and Jihoon Zun attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Lamine Diop (L) and Robert Hunt attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: DJ R-Tistic attends the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: EP Sheri Maroufkhani (L) and Pyongson "Sunny" Yim attend the HBO Max - Sweet Life: Los Angeles screening at NeueHouse Los Angeles on August 18, 2021 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by FilmMagic/FilmMagic for WarnerMedia)

This explosive series gives an honest view at what it means to be young, Black, and in pursuit of one’s dreams in such a competitive city. The core cast includes seven young adults, all from different backgrounds and working in different industries — Amanda, PR rep; Briana, wants to create her own skincare line; Cheryl, fashion designer, and artist; Jerrold, former college basketball star; Jordan, owner of his own clothing line; P’Jae, aspiring music producer, and Tylnn, event planner.

“Sweet Life: Los Angeles” is produced by HOORAE, Issa Rae’s media company, as well as Morning Dew Pictures and Main Event Media, an All3Media America Company. Executive producers include Issa Rae, Montrel McKay, Jimmy Fox, Sheri Maroufkhani, Leola Westbrook, and Sun de Graaf. Rajah Ahmed and Pyongson “Sunny” Yim serve as co-executive producers and Sara Rastogi and Ashley Calloway as producers.

The first three episodes of the nine-episode series debuted on August 19th, followed by the next three to be released on August 26th, and the final three to be released on September 2nd. A reunion special will launch on September 9th. Follow the series on IG to keep up with the latest.

hbo maxIssa Raesweet life
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Naomi Pandolfi

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