Janelle James Talks About Her Journey in Comedy and the Success of 'Abbott Elementary' | Interview

TLDRIn this interview, Janelle James discusses her career in comedy, the success of 'Abbott Elementary', and her experiences with fame. She shares funny anecdotes about trying to hide from fans and talks about her distinctive voice and laugh. Janelle also reveals how she got into acting and shares her excitement about being a part of the show. Don Cheadle's support and her role on 'Black Monday' are also mentioned.

Key insights

🌟Janelle James talks about the changes in her life since joining 'Abbott Elementary', including moving to LA, getting nominated for awards, and performing a memorable dance on national TV.

😂Janelle James shares funny anecdotes about trying to hide from fans and the disguises she uses, including wearing sunglasses, a hat, and even a mask. However, her distinctive voice and laugh always give her away.

👀Janelle James talks about how fame has affected her life and the loss of her 'safe space' at Target. She discusses the positive aspects of being recognized but acknowledges that it can also be challenging.

🎭Janelle James discusses her role as Ava on 'Abbott Elementary' and how she enjoys playing a high-energy character. She jokes about the character's suitability for running a school and how fun it is to interact with the cast and other celebrities.

🎬Janelle James shares the story of how she got into acting, from being a stand-up comedian to landing a writing job on 'Black Monday' and eventually writing herself a role on the show. She expresses her gratitude for Don Cheadle's support and talks about her love for Italian food.

Q&A

How has Janelle James' life changed since joining 'Abbott Elementary'?

Since joining 'Abbott Elementary', Janelle James has moved to LA, received two Emmy nominations, gained recognition from fans, and performed a memorable dance on national TV.

How does Janelle James try to hide from fans?

Janelle James tries to hide from fans by wearing sunglasses, a hat, and even a mask. However, her distinctive voice and laugh often give her away.

Is Janelle James comfortable with being recognized?

Janelle James is happy about being recognized but acknowledges that it can also be challenging. Her 'safe space' at Target is no longer the same.

What does Janelle James enjoy about playing Ava on 'Abbott Elementary'?

Janelle James enjoys playing Ava on 'Abbott Elementary' because she is a high-energy character. She jokes about Ava's suitability for running a school and talks about the fun she has interacting with the cast and other celebrities.

How did Janelle James get into acting?

Janelle James got into acting through her career as a stand-up comedian. After performing a set that caught the attention of Don Cheadle, she landed a writing job on 'Black Monday' and eventually wrote herself a role on the show.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Janelle James joins the show 'Abbott Elementary' and experiences significant changes in her life, including moving to LA, receiving Emmy nominations, and performing a memorable dance on national TV.

07:00Janelle James shares funny anecdotes about trying to hide from fans, using disguises like sunglasses, a hat, and even a mask. However, her distinctive voice and laugh always give her away.

13:30Janelle James talks about how fame has affected her life and the loss of her 'safe space' at Target. She acknowledges the positive aspects of being recognized but also highlights the challenges.

20:00Janelle James discusses her role as Ava on 'Abbott Elementary' and jokes about the character's suitability for running a school. She also talks about the fun she has interacting with the cast and other celebrities.

32:00Janelle James shares the story of how she got into acting, from being a stand-up comedian to landing a writing job on 'Black Monday' and eventually writing herself a role on the show. She expresses her gratitude for Don Cheadle's support and talks about her love for Italian food.