Creative Control

Jean Elie got his big break playing Issa Rae's younger brother Ahmal on HBO's Insecure. Although landing on a hit show can lead to other more high-profile roles, Jean is wasting no time in creating lanes of his own. In addition to acting, Jean is producing and writing his own projects including several shorts and the series Send Help, which is being co-produced by Rainn Wilson's entertainment company SoulPancake. He's also been getting writing room experience on Netflix's Magic for Humans, which is paving the way for even more projects down the line. But as a young actor still trying to establish himself in that field, is he spreading himself too thin in other areas? In our conversation, Jean explains his stance on straight actors playing gay characters, the power of being the only black voice in a white room, and the rules of being a creative hustler.