Issa Rae has cancelled the planned Insecure 10th-anniversary tour, including a scheduled appearance at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, after cast members’ work commitments created a scheduling clash.
Rae, showrunner Prentice Penny and members of the main cast announced the decision in a video shared on social media on Tuesday, 1 September.
“The tour ain’t happening, y’all. I’m so sorry,” Natasha Rothwell said in the clip.
Penny said the group was “so bummed” to call off the dates, but added that the cast had begun working on new projects.
Rae said the tour had only been planned on the basis that the full group could attend. “We only wanted to do this if we could all be there and give you the best experience possible,” she said.
The 13-date tour was due to open in Philadelphia on 10 September, before moving to The Theater at MGM National Harbor the following evening. Further dates had been scheduled in cities including Detroit, Boston, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston.
Ticketmaster said customers would receive refunds once it received the money from the event organiser. Where tickets had been transferred, the refund would be sent to the original purchaser.
The cancellation prompted a mixture of disappointment and support from fans. Some praised the cast for taking on new creative work, while others raised concerns about travel and accommodation costs that may not be refundable.
One social media user said the cancellation was “heartbreak” but also expressed pride in watching the cast “rise, expand, and step into new creative universes”. Another ticket holder called for an immediate refund.
Fans outside California also questioned whether the remaining anniversary gathering in Inglewood on 8 October would be accessible to those who had made plans to attend the wider tour.
Insecure anniversary celebration
The HBO comedy-drama premiered on 23 September 2016 and ran for five seasons before ending in December 2021. The series followed Issa Dee, played by Rae, as she navigated relationships, work and friendship while exploring the experiences and cultural nuances of Black life in America.
Based on a web series originally developed by Rae, Insecure attracted a devoted following and earned Rae multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Although the nationwide tour has been abandoned, Rae and the cast are still expected to have the opportunity to meet fans at the anniversary event in Inglewood, California, on 8 October.
