Wed Oct 29 06:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the text:

Summary:

Lena Waithe, a prolific writer, producer, and actor, discussed her upcoming projects and favorite books in a recent interview. She is currently finishing the eighth season of “The Chi” and Season 2 of her podcast, “Legacy Talk,” in addition to working on theater projects. Waithe revealed she is working on a movie with Issa Rae about a friendship breakup, in which they may also star. Her book recommendations, including Erika J. Simpson’s “This Is Your Mother,” Nicole Avant’s “Think You’ll Be Happy,” Cebo Campbell’s “Sky Full of Elephants,” and Sammy Davis Jr.’s memoir, all delve into themes of family, loss, identity, and societal reckoning. Waithe also mentioned adapting her Sammy Davis, Jr. biopic into a stage play, highlighting Davis’s significant influence on culture and the entertainment industry.

News Article:

Lena Waithe and Issa Rae Teaming Up for New Movie About Friendship Breakup

Los Angeles, CA – Multi-hyphenate Lena Waithe is busier than ever, juggling the final season of her hit show “The Chi,” her podcast “Legacy Talk,” and several theater projects. But that’s not all. In a recent interview, Waithe revealed an exciting new project: a movie co-written with and potentially starring Issa Rae.

“I’m working on this movie for myself and Issa Rae,” Waithe disclosed. “It’s a really cool idea about us being friends and having a bit of a friendship breakup, and it’s really funny and silly.” She said the project started as her trying to come up with beats for Rae. But she ended up writing a script instead. She jokingly mentioned the characters are even temporarily named Lena and Issa. “They’re thinly-veiled versions of ourselves.”

Waithe also shared a glimpse into her literary tastes, recommending Erika J. Simpson’s “This Is Your Mother,” Nicole Avant’s “Think You’ll Be Happy,” Cebo Campbell’s “Sky Full of Elephants,” and Sammy Davis Jr.’s memoir, “Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr.” She also mentioned adapting her Davis biopic to the stage. These books, she explained, explore themes of family, loss, identity, and the ongoing quest for understanding and acceptance in a complex world.

“Issa’s going to be like, ‘Oh sh*t, well now we got to do it.'”

With a slate of projects spanning television, film, theater, and now literature, Lena Waithe continues to solidify her place as a creative force, consistently pushing boundaries and sparking conversation through her art.

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