Issa Rae's Parents Divorced Due to 'Cultural Differences'

Issa Rae's parents appeared inseparable in the actress's young eyes. She had witnessed their loving relationship since childhood, so it was devastating when they sat her and her younger siblings down to tell them they were divorcing due to cultural differences, according to her mother.

Issa Rae drew her first breath in Los Angeles, California, on January 12, 1985. She joined the entertainment industry in 2011 after she saw a lack of representation for people of color in mainstream film and TV.

The multi-talented star launched her well-known YouTube series "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl," and soon gained the attention of Pharell Williams, who offered to air the comedy show on his channel.

Issa, born Jo-Issa Rae Diop, has since executive-produced several web productions, including "How Men Become Dogs," "Inside Web Series," "Little Horribles," "The Choir," and "Insecure: Due North."

The comedienne has also showcased her acting prowess in the acclaimed comedy-drama series "Insecure," and the award-winning fantasy film "Little," which starred herself, Marsai Martin, and Regina Hall.

Her recent projects include voicing Spider-Woman Jessica Drew in the much-anticipated sequel film "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," alongside Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jake Johnson.

She will also play President Barbie in the live-action "Barbie," starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. But as Issa undoubtedly makes her mark in Hollywood, fans have grown curious about her upbringing, particularly her parents.

Who Are Issa Rae's Parents?

Issa's mother is Delyna Diop, an educator from Louisiana. Her father is Abdoulaye Diop, a Senegalese-born doctor. Abdoulaye and Delyna met while studying in France, and their romance ensued.

The former couple welcomed five children and frequently relocated before briefly settling in California. Abdoulaye established a clinic nearby, but when crime and violence began escalating in their area, Delyna wanted to move again.

She suggested moving to Senegal, and Abdoulaye eventually agreed. The father of five hoped that living in his home city of Dakar would engender a sense of respect and discipline in his children. However, they returned to the States two years later.

Issa Rae's Parents Divorced, and She Once Called Herself 'Halfrican'

Issa's parents revealed they were divorcing when she was a child. In her 2015 memoir, she confessed to initially blaming her mother for the divorce. She vividly recalled the day her parents called her and her younger siblings to her dad's office. Her mother put it plainly, saying:

"Your dad and I have decided to divorce."

By then, the couple had been married for 20 years, and Issa was devasted. The actress said she had never seen her parents "so much as fight." All the warm memories of their bond flashed through her mind as she struggled to comprehend what could have led to their split.

When she finally asked why, her mother said it was "cultural differences," with nothing but sadness. Another blow followed when Delyna announced that Abdoulaye would have to leave their home.

Issa worried about how lonely that might be for her dad. She and her siblings continued living with Delyna and would sometimes visit their father.

Issa later revealed infidelity on her father's part in her memoir, but it's unclear if that was the reason that led to the divorce. Abdoulaye later remarried, but Delyna's relationship status remains unknown.

Issa is a self-proclaimed "halfrican." She attributed the term to her contrasting experiences with African Americans and her Senegalese cousins. Her cousins viewed America differently than US citizens, who assumed Africans knew little to nothing about pop culture.

"Because I was from LA, they would ask me if we lived next door to movie stars. And they would all watch 'Baywatch.' We would sit in a circle and watch Pamela Anderson," she explained. Conversely, all Americans would ask was if she had a pet lion.