[2] Although she initially wanted to pursue dramatic acting, she stated "comedy just came to me because Chicago is just a naturally very funny city.
"[3] Russell trained in acting at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.
[4][1] Russell co-wrote and starred in the cult YouTube web series Downtown Girls.
[1] She gained wider prominence as a lead on the Chicago-set series South Side, co-created by and co-starring her husband, Bashir Salahuddin.
[5] She was also in the writer's room and helped develop her character, Officer Turner.