Issa Rae: ‘Insecure’ character needs to be a ‘f—ing grown-up’

Sunday, 10:30 p.m., HBO

Newly minted Emmy nominee Issa Rae returns Sunday night at 10:30 for Season 3 of her HBO series, “Insecure.”

Rae spoke to The Post about what to expect, how she really feels about her Emmy nomination (and her female viewers) and how she defines her beauty.

Tell me about the significance of the missing mirror in the bathroom.
I feel like, with those mirror moments, that’s the only time Issa can be her full whole self, the time she expresses who she is, her feelings. So when she’s in Daniel’s (Y’Lan Noel) place, she’s not necessarily comfortable — things are strange there.

Your character is broke, but she’s rich in other ways when it comes to family and friends. Do you relate to that on a personal level?
I am so rich in family and friends, and just love in general, and that’s what’s important. That’s how you survive day to day. I just don’t know how to survive without those people. Making that present in Issa’s life [is] just realistic to me.

Issa strives to seem free-spirited and in-control, but it feels like she is constantly making her life worse, both personally and professionally. What does she need to do to turn a corner?
Issa has to learn to be honest with herself. In Season 1 she had a big issue with being honest, and as we get to Season 3 she’s having to decide that you can’t lie to yourself and to the people around you. Be a f—ing grown-up and say how you feel. She’s learning that with Daniel.

Do you feel pressure from your female viewers when it comes to your character’s storyline?
I don’t feel any pressure to make any specific decisions. I try to just live life true to myself and display that on the screen. Judge it as you will but make your own decisions. If you’re living your life based off of how characters live their life [on “Insecure”] then there is something wrong with you.

You are the new face of Covergirl makeup and gracing the Sept. cover of Ebony magazine. So when was your “pretty girl” moment?
I don’t know if I had an “I am pretty” moment but I have had a confident “I am the s – -t” moment. When you make something from the ground up and you accomplish something — even just making something happen from nothing and doing it and being appreciated for that — it’s like, “Yeah, I did that.” I think that’s where a lot of my confidence comes from. I never really looked at my confidence from the outside — it’s always been what’s going on inside.

After getting snubbed in Season 1, you finally got an Emmy nomination this year for “Insecure.” How did that feel?
I’m not looking at the nomination with a side eye. I’m like, “The timing is perfect for Season 3, now more people are going to know about the show.” It’s a blessing just to be recognized. It’s the team acknowledgment that I’m grateful for.

— Tashara Jones