When Ayo Edebiri unexpectedly appeared on the second episode of HBO’s new comedy I Love LA, fans were treated to a hilarious performance that felt both spontaneous and perfectly executed. The story behind how the Emmy-winning actress joined the cast reveals a collaboration between close friends and a shared desire to create something memorably absurd.
The show’s creator and star, Rachel Sennott, recently explained the organic process that led her friend and frequent collaborator to guest star as Mimi Rush, a delightfully unhinged British pop star.
The Spontaneous Pitch
The idea for the cameo began not in a formal writers’ room, but with a casual pitch between friends. Sennott reached out to Edebiri the morning after the Met Gala to propose the idea.
Sennott described the initial conversation: “I pitched her the idea the morning after the Met Gala. I was like, ‘Hey, can I send you this?’ She Zooms me from her hotel room. It’s like pitch black. She’s like, ‘Speak to me! What’s the idea?’ Then we started jamming on it.”
This informal beginning set the tone for a highly collaborative character development process. The writers had initially conceived “the bones of a character, an unhinged diva,” but Edebiri helped bring Mimi Rush to life with her own creative touches.
The Friendship Behind the Cameo
At its core, the casting decision stemmed from the simple reality of busy friends wanting to spend time together. Sennott humorously admitted that practical considerations played a significant role in bringing Edebiri to the show.
“I called Ayo because basically, we were like, ‘If we want to hang out, we have to work together,’” Sennott revealed. “So I was like, ‘Do you wanna come to two days on the show?’”
The two actors have a established working relationship, having previously co-starred in the 2023 comedy Bottoms, which Sennott also co-wrote. Their friendship and professional comfort level allowed for a creative environment where both could contribute ideas freely.
Creating an Unforgettable Character
Edebiri didn’t just show up to play a pre-written role—she actively helped shape Mimi Rush into the eccentric character viewers saw on screen. According to Sennott, Edebiri arrived with specific ideas that defined the character’s look and personality.
“Then she brought all these different ideas,” Sennott shared. “She was like, I want to do a mullet. I want a bedazzled vape, I want a British accent. I was like, ‘Yes to everything.’”
Showrunner Emma Barrie confirmed the collaborative nature of the character’s development, noting that the British accent was entirely Edebiri’s invention. “We basically got on the phone and jammed with her and just sort of pitched the idea…to make this ridiculous, fun character together,” Barrie said.
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Mimi Rush’s Scene-Stealing Moment
In her appearance, Edebiri plays Mimi Rush, a pop star client of stylist Charlie, played by Jordan Firstman. The episode revolves around Mimi’s excitement that Zendaya has agreed to play her mother in a new music video, though this claim proves premature.
When Mimi’s team reveals that Zendaya hasn’t actually confirmed her participation, Charlie attempts to soothe the star’s frustration by inventing negative gossip about the acclaimed actress. This backfires spectacularly when Zendaya actually does agree to participate, leading Mimi to fire Charlie for “talking sh*t” about her “best friend.”
Firstman, who has known Edebiri for about a decade, expressed his excitement about finally working with her directly. “We’ve never even gotten to act together. So it was really those days were so fun and exciting. And she’s very intimidating as Mimi Rush,” he said.
More Surprises to Come
Executive producer Emma Barrie has confirmed that Edebiri’s appearance is just the first of several surprise cameos planned for the season. “This is a show about best friends having each other’s backs as they navigate a city full of maniacs. We absolutely have more surprises in store,” Barrie teased.
The series will feature additional guest appearances from Elijah Wood and influencer Quenlin Blackwell, both playing exaggerated versions of themselves.
I Love LA continues to air Sunday nights on HBO and streams on HBO Max. The show features Sennott as Maia, an aspiring talent manager navigating the complexities of Los Angeles’ influencer economy alongside her friend group.
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