Jay Ellis's Prediction About This Insecure Couple Will Leave You Emotionally Wrecked

POPSUGAR: So we have to talk about Insecure. You guys did such an amazing job with season two. What was it like filming that final scene in the kitchen with Issa Rae? It was so hard to watch, so I can imagine how hard it was to act out. Even though it all turned out to be just a daydream, it was still powerful.

Jay Ellis: It was a tough thing to shoot. Our writing is so beautiful. We're really lucky. Issa wrote that episode, but it was tough because there's no way that you don't leave that scene and think about disappointing relationships in your own life. Anyone who watched that scene, it touched a nerve. We all had the breakup that wasn't resolved. We've all come to the realization that this person who we loved for so long is not the person for you or not the person that you're supposed to spend your life with. At a certain point, I was just tired of crying. I was like, "My emotions are worn out. My tear ducts are getting dry. I can't keep crying. Why are y'all doing this to me?" [Laughs]

PS: Season two ends with Lawrence and Issa somewhat coming to terms with their breakup, but their relationship is still not quite resolved. Do you believe there's still hope for the two of them?

JE: I feel like how the season ended, to me, is kind of full circle. I think Lawrence realized that [the conversation] was something that he needed and something that he needed to say. He needed to hear Issa's point of view. He also needed to apologize for what he had done in their relationship and take responsibility for their breakup. And Issa had her moment to do all the same things. I really do believe that it allowed both of them to have a little bit of closure with where they are and realize that they can still love each other, but that doesn't mean that they're going to be together. I don't know if there's a future for them, to be honest with you.

PS: Is there anything you think Lawrence could have done differently to salvage his relationship with Issa?

JE: Communication. It's key. I think you don't learn that until you get older. Until you've been through some stuff. But all those moments when he was outside [Issa's] house, where he pulled her up on his phone, where he could have just hit send and made a phone call . . . I think season two could have been a completely different season, and their relationship could have been completely different. His ego and his pride or just being hurt got in the way of that. Sometimes you have to have grounded, honest, truthful conversations with the people you love if you want them in your life. When you don't, it festers and then the lid blows off and those people aren't in your life anymore.

PS: OK, so clearly, the ladies love you on Insecure. Someone tweeted "It's probably been said, but Jay Ellis has a phenomenal ass!" and you actually replied to her.

JE: [Laughs] When people say stuff like that, I get a kick out of it. I think it's hilarious.

PS: As an actor, how do you prepare for those scenes when you know you're going to be nude? Is it just like second nature now?

JE: It's always a little bit awkward when you're doing a scene with another actor because you wanna be respectful of that actor. Everyone's comfort level is different. My comfort level, for example — I'm OK with being butt-naked all the time. I am. If humans didn't have to walk around with clothes, then I wouldn't.

But I think you do always have to be respectful of the actor you're working with. I have those conversations of "This is what I was thinking to cover myself," "These are the options; do you have one that you prefer? Is there one that makes you more comfortable?" "I'm gonna touch you here — is that OK?" "I'm gonna kiss you there — is that OK?" I think you have to have those conversations when you're on set. But the nudity part doesn't really bother me anymore. I'm used to it.

PS: Do you remember the most awkward sex scene you had to film on the show?

JE: The threesome scene in season two was awkward. [Laughs] Just in the way that, like, there was someone on my face and on my lap! But I had to tap [Hayley Kiyoko's] leg to get her to lift up if I needed to say something. I would be under there and I would be mumbled and people couldn't understand what I would be saying. But yeah, I look back at it and it's easier to laugh at now.

PS: What was your reaction when you found out that former First Lady Michelle Obama mentioned that she's a fan of the show?

JE: Issa sent a text message to Yvonne [Orji] and I and said, "Y'all won't believe who I'm with. She watches the show." And Yvonne immediately replies back, "Who?" And Issa sends a picture of her and Michelle Obama and I just sent a bunch of emoji. It was the Champagne, money, happy face, crying, hand clap, and hands up in praise emoji. It was hilarious. Issa had another moment where she met Beyoncé, and Beyoncé told her she was a fan of the show. She walked out and she texted us and we were like, "Wait, what?!" Like, this is crazy. What world are we living in where Michelle Obama and Beyoncé watch our show, and they're fans? This is crazy.

PS: What are you most excited about for season three?

JE: I'm excited to see where the writers take all the characters. I don't really know much, but I hope that Issa finds happiness. Whatever that means for her. And I hope she finds a sense of peace and becomes more confident in her decision making.

PS: If you could write a scene or a storyline for Lawrence next season, is there anything you would like to see happen with your character?

JE: If we went back to season two, Molly (Orji) got to date a character that Sterling K. Brown played. They could just stunt cast Beyoncé [to play my love interest]. You know what I mean? [Laughs] Or Michelle Obama could be my boss. I don't know. I'm just saying!

PS: You recently did an intriguing photo shoot in partnership with Swim Social which focuses on storytelling through images. Tell us more about the concept behind the project and the character you play.

JE: I portray a guy who's completely devastated and heartbroken on Valentine's Day. The photo shoot represents a deconstruction of love. I think we all had moments where we've been single on Valentine's Day, or your Valentine's Day went the wrong way. I've had friends who've broken up on Valentine's Day. The photos represent the gesture of putting an outfit together, and getting flowers, but then you end up sad and disappointed. In each photo, you watch the deconstruction of all these roses, which are representative of love deconstructing in that moment.

PS: I noticed in a lot of the shots that your character is throwing the roses at the wall. Is he angry? What's going on?

JE: [Laughs] I think there's anger. To know anger is also to know pain and disappointment. So I kinda feel like it was a roller coaster. It wasn't just this one thing. There was something that was really cool about capturing all of those emotions into those roses and into the action of what he's doing with them.

PS: Speaking of Valentine's Day, do you have a valentine this year?

JE: I do have a valentine. Hopefully I'm not gonna have a disappointing Valentine's Day. I'm hoping I'm not gonna be trashing flowers around anywhere. [Laughs]

PS: What's the worst Valentine's Day you've ever had?

JE: I had one where I did not put in any effort and she was not happy about it. We ended up in a big argument. I was in my apartment. She was in her apartment. There was a good three or four hours of us not talking. There was probably midnight texts of "I'm sorry. Can we just talk? I miss you." But that was a very long time ago. My valentines as of late have been very happy! I'm grateful for that.