Insecure is an HBO dramedy that is partially based on Issa Rae’s YouTube series Awkward Black Girl. The series follows a group of Black women who struggle with a number of awkward experiences as move through life, careers, new boyfriends, and, more notably, ex-boyfriends. The cast features creator Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Amanda Seales, and Natasha Rothwell. Insecure has been subject to critical acclaim, receiving nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. In 2017, the American Film Institute selected it as one of the best TV programs of the year.
After its successful run on HBO, Insecure has come to close after its fifth and final season wrapped up in December 2021. Looking back on the series, we can enjoy everything that the show has given us, including the memorable and beloved characters. Kelli, played by Rothwell is, without a doubt, the funniest character on Insecure. In almost every scene she’s in, she manages to bring something to lighten the mood, making her one of the most beloved characters of the series. These are Natasha Rothewell’s best Kelli moments on Insecure, ranked.
6 Her ‘Death’
HBO
In season 5 of Insecure, Kelli attends her college reunion. While she debates whether she should take on a new identity at the reunion, her appearance is just as rewarding. At said reunion, Kelli winds up seeing an In Memoriam video of herself being broadcast. While this is not as comedic as seeing Kelli pass herself off as someone else, it sends Kelli down a new path of self-discovery by getting sober and finding her identity outside simply trying to make her friends laugh, even if at her expense.
5 The B.A.P.S Costume
In Season 4 of Insecure, Tiffany hosts a Halloween party and Kelli arrives dressed as Halle Berry’s character Nisi from B.A.P.S. Between the hair adding a foot to her height and the pleather outfit making it difficult for her to move, this whole costume adds a gut-busting amount of comedy to the episode. As if this weren’t enough, Kelli even says that she wonders how she’ll wipe in such an impossibly tight costume that confines basic human movements. Needless to say, if she were to participate in a costume party, she would 100% win.
4 Her Take on Issa’s Financial Issues
In the second season of Insecure, Issa is struggling financially, but has yet to come to terms with how bad her situation really is. Fortunately, Kelli, as her accountant, gives her the uncensored truth about her credit score, explaining that among all the credit scores, Issa’s falls below the bottom. Their serious conversation is made easier thanks to Kelli’s perfect comedic timing and a mixture of facial expressions to keep the mood light so that the audience doesn’t get overwhelmed by Issa’s financial burdens.
3 Praising Issa’s Growth
One of Kelli’s most quotable/memorable moments arrives in the third season of Insecure. At a party where people are mingling and having fun, among all this, Kelli still has time to preach some hilarious yet wise words, praising Issa for how far she’s come, saying, “You know what that is? Growth.” Even those who haven’t seen the show have most likely seen the gif that comes with it as its message is captured in a mere five seconds, showing both humor and wisdom all in one go. This scene was part of what brought more attention to Kelli throughout the series as she approaches everything in life with a sense of humor to make reality easier to stomach.
2 The British Accent
In season 4 of Insecure, Kelli finds herself in a jam when she must commit to a fake British accent at Issa’s block party when she meets her new beau Darnell, played by rapper Aminé in his acting debut. Kelli’s hilarious ruse continues and is rather convincing for Darnell, that is, up until a suspected gunshot could be heard after which Kelli runs and somehow loses her accent. When Darnell asks her what happened to her British accent, she hilariously admits to him that she is from Philly.
1 Tased at Coachella
In the third season of Insecure, Issa, Molly, Tiffany, and Kelli head to Coachella for some fun. While at the festival the girls decide to take a chance and end up taking some MDMA. Before Beyoncé could take the stage, the girls were escorted out for starting a fight with the “whites in the field,” who took their viewing spot and continued to talk trash. After they are escorted off the property, when Kelli hears Beyoncé performing, she attempts to rush past security back into the festival, only to be tased by security. In one of her most memorable moments of the series, Kelli falls to the ground, pees herself, and says, “Remember me different!”
