Writer, actress, and producer Lena Waithe has made a name for herself within the entertainment industry with movies like Queen and Slim and Emmy-winning episode of Master of None. Waithe has also had her fair share of controversies. She was recently accused of taking the idea of a lesser known filmmaker.
What We Know:
- The video platform ATTN: tweeted a trailer for a new show created by Waithe called Girls Room. It’s described as an anthology-style series that “will explore the pain and power of female adolescence as told through the eyes of an inter-connected group of girls”.
- Waithe is listed as the writer and creator for the show, and serves as a producer via her Hillman Grad Productions along with ATTN:. Dove’s Self-Esteem Project for young women also serves as a partner.
- “I’ve admired Dove and its mission to educate young women through their Self-Esteem Project for a long time,” said Waithe in a statement. “Crafting a story that’s purposeful and relevant to our shared values was exciting to me on a deeply personal level. I want girls to watch this show and feel like they’re not alone.”
Get to know Melba, Minnie, Thelma, Gloria, and Carlotta in Girls Room, a new show created by @LenaWaithe about a group of high school friends dealing with bullies, social media, body insecurities, and so much more. pic.twitter.com/sbzjHVeIKi
— ATTN: (@attn) February 21, 2020
- When the trailer was posted via Twitter, a user listed as screenwriter Nina Lee tweeted “this looks awful, yes I’m hating,” then went on to explain how she had a show called The Girls Room that’s similar to Waithe’s project.
This show was definitely a learning experience, thanks to everyone involved and to those who still believes in me! pic.twitter.com/zMyGLEFcep
— Nina Lee (@NinaSerafina) February 23, 2020
- When Lee posted via Twitter, people started jumping to her defense and questioning Waithe’s character.
Lena Waithe’s work is literally a product of the afterlife of BLM. Like you named those characters after the Little Rock 9? Everything she creates is literally “tweet worthy”. It’s all so intentional that it’s scary. Her true audience, must be white folk who will share admiration
— Zalika U. Ibaorimi, MA (The Final Girl) (@ZalUIbaorimi) February 23, 2020
Waithe has yet to make a statement regarding Lee’s tweets or the stealing allegations.
