Natasha Rothwell On How 'Insecure' Character Boosted Her Confidence: 'Fake It Until You Make It'

Natasha Rothwell is opening up about how her character on HBO's "Insecure," Kelli Prenny, has inspired her in real life.

In an exclusive interview with Page Six, Rothwell, 41, revealed that her brash and unapologetic character has boosted her personal confidence and "made me live that way in my own life."

The actress explained that she used to often find herself wanting to "go down the path of self-doubt or ... imposter syndrome" but has since learned to accept herself and trust that she is "enough."

The "White Lotus" star also told the outlet that Kelli's optimism and confidence have "done a lot" for her and that she's glad that viewers were also inspired and touched by her character.

Rothwell went on to share that prior to taking on her role in "Insecure," she didn't always feel she was accepted and supported by society, even with all the success she's had.

"Walking through the world with brown t–ties, there's a lot of, of, uh, messaging that you get that is not OK, and, um, that's, it’s insidious and it seeps in in ways that you don’t really know," she told the outlet. "And it wasn't until I started playing Kelli where it was just … she's so sure. There's this worthiness that she doesn’t question, and that is, you know, they say, 'Fake it until you make it,' and it's that thing.'"

The actress, who moved to Los Angeles from New York to work on the series, added that she refuses to accept that "Insecure" is ending. She explained that the series "changed my life in no uncertain terms" and is "so meaningful to me professionally and personally."

Rothwell, who is also a writer and director on the HBO series, previously wrote on "Saturday Night Live," which she admits was a challenging experience.

She diplomatically described her time on the comedy show as a "learning opportunity," adding, "I learned a ton … and I think it’s not news at all that it is a historically white institution and they brought me in specifically because of that."

Meanwhile, this wasn't the first time Rothwell gushed over her character on "Insecure." In an interview with The Guardian in 2018, she said Kelli was the only character on the show who was not obsessed with a man, getting a man or getting over a man. At the time, she also shared the same admission — that Kelli was very different from her.

"She's a version of myself I very rarely get to be," Rothwell said as she weighed on in her character. "I equate it to volume. In real life, I'm the most comfortable when [life is] dialed down to a two, while Kelli lives with that dial all the way past 11. It's cranked up and that's just where she thrives. So when I get to play her, it's so freeing."

She added that playing Kelli gave her the opportunity to "step into a person who lives without fear" and who isn't afraid to make mistakes. She also appreciates Kelli's attitude of never questioning her validity in any room.

The fifth and final season of "Insecure" airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on HBO.