Embracing Empowerment: Issa Rae's Inspiring Path to Embrace Her True Beauty

Issa Rae Stewart Cook/Shutterstock

Issa Rae, known for her roles in "Insecure" and "Rap Sh!t," embraced body positivity when she landed the role of Barbie. Despite initially feeling insecure about her body, Rae realized that Greta Gerwig's Barbie world celebrates all body types. This realization allowed her to feel more confident in her own Barbie body, even while on her fitness journey.

The Insecure alum stars as President Barbie in the highly anticipated film, which was released in theaters on Friday. Alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the movie brings Mattel's beloved doll line to life as Barbie and Ken venture from Barbie Land into the real world. The original toys were mainly known for their slim bodies and perfectly styled blonde hair, which initially concerned Rae.

"I also had worries about who the other Barbies were and how they looked," she admitted to Glamour. Rae observed director Gerwig's commitment to casting a diverse range of actors from her first day during the dance rehearsal. "There were so many different types of Barbies and Kens, representing various abilities, ages, and genders. Greta made a genuine effort to be inclusive of everyone."

Rae expressed her admiration for Barbie Land, where every inhabitant embodied perfection and resembled the iconic Barbie doll. She found this representation of diversity and inclusivity to be incredibly beautiful. Despite the possibility of someone feeling excluded, she emphasized the immense effort put into ensuring that Barbie Land included individuals from all walks of life.

The film 'Barbie' boasts an impressive ensemble cast, with renowned actors such as Nicola Coughlan, Ritu Arya, Sharon Rooney, Hari Nef, Kate McKinnon, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa.

Liu, who is 34 years old, also commended the film for its dedication to inclusivity and diversity, demonstrating that anyone can embody the essence of Barbie or Ken.

"Greta was incredibly mindful about the individuals she selected for the cast," expressed the Marvel star to Vanity Fair in January. "We were able to bring together individuals of various body types, sizes, and abilities to participate in this dance scene - all while conveying the message that you don't have to fit the stereotype of being blonde, white, or anything else in order to represent Barbie or Ken. Every day on set felt like a celebration of each other and our differences, regardless of our backgrounds. I believe that when you watch the movie, you will see that reflected on the screen."