Issa Rae stuns edgy florals and explains why she needed such a long hiatus from her hit HBO show

Her critically acclaimed HBO comedy is coming-drama back to the small screen this month for season four.

And, Issa Rae glowed in funky florals for a spring inspired Teen Vogue photo spread as she graces the cover of the April Issue.

The 35-year-old dished to the magazine about what to expect from the new season of Insecure, which fans have been clamoring for since 2018 when season three wrapped.

While the long gap in shooting certainly seemed excessive to viewers, Issa insisted that it was crucial for the sake of the show (and herself for that matter.) 

‘Insecure takes nine months out of my life,’ she told Teen Vogue. ‘I’m pulling from life experience, and if you’re not living, then what are you really making?’ 

The actress, who is also the co-creator and writer of the series, explained that for the health of the show, she needed a prolonged break so she could recharge. 

‘It’s a dream to be able to make this show — but I want to make sure that the show is also good,’ Issa explained. ‘We needed a pause. Coming back…we just felt so fresh and excited to be there, and it showed. It felt like fun again.’

For the cover, Issa looked ravishing in a spring-inspired shoot surrounded by lush greenery.

She rocked a dark and edgy patent leather midi skirt with a smattering of bright flowers printed on the material. 

The skirt was paired with a simple black cropped sweater which showcased the actress’ toned midriff.

In another, Issa flashed her megawatt smile in a long sleeve floral printed dress with ruching along the bodice and a knotted bandeau neckline with 

Insecure debuted to rave reviews with an eight-episode season one in 2016 and returned for seasons two and three in 2017 and 2018.

After her hiatus, the Los Angeles based series will return in April with a slightly longer than usual 10-episode season which Issa said was ‘lit’.  

‘I love this season so much,’ she gushed. ‘Season three we always knew was the building season.’

Adding: ‘In the [writer’s room], we were always like, “Ooh, season four going to be lit!”[This season is] just about asking the question: Are people in your life for a reason or a season?’

Insecure centers around the black female experience through the lens of Issa, the main character, and her best friend Molly.

The show, which falls mostly into the ‘dramedy’ category, features sometimes controversial subject matters which Rae said she won’t be shying away from anytime soon. 

‘If I felt restricted by audience reaction, then I couldn’t make the show. We tune all that s**t out because we just want to tell the best story,’ the star said.

Adding: ‘I don’t feel obligated to tell certain stories because of our audience, and I don’t feel restricted from telling certain stories because of our audience. It’s my story. Who’s going to tell me what to say?’ 

The series is based partly on Issa’s web series, Awkward Black Girl, which debuted on YouTube in 2011 and also received critical acclaim. 

In addition to transforming into Insecure, Issa penned a book about her life, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl in 2015, which became a best-seller.

The Stanford University alum considers herself a writer-producer before an actress but she’s been spreading her wings with new film projects. 

‘I just want to try different things [and] keep getting better…because I’ve never considered myself an actress,’ she said. ‘I always considered myself a writer-producer — and an actress for fun. 

‘I want to make sure that with each project I’m taking on, I’m bringing something to the table and not just showing up as me. A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, so I don’t want to take it for granted.’

Season four of Insecure premieres on HBO Sunday April 12.