Janelle James has become a prominent figure in Hollywood, particularly known for her role as the audacious Principal Ava Coleman in the hit series Abbott Elementary. However, James's journey to primetime fame is rooted in a decade of dedication to stand-up comedy, shaping her into a multifaceted artist with a grounded perspective on her newfound success. While many may associate her closely with her Abbott Elementary character, James emphasizes the distinctions between her on-screen persona and her authentic self.
Defining Herself Beyond the Screen
"Maybe sadly to [fans], I'm never thinking about her when I'm being myself," James shares, underscoring her strong sense of self, independent of the characters she portrays. She values her privacy, carefully balancing her public image with her personal life, drawing inspiration from a pre-social media era of fame. James believes in sharing her work and talent without feeling obligated to reveal every aspect of her personal life.
Ava's Fashion: A Collaborative Creation
When it comes to Ava Coleman's distinctive style, James plays an active role in shaping her character's look. She collaborates with the costume designer, considering factors like comfort and practicality, especially given the demands of physical comedy. "I'm very involved in my look, mostly because my weight fluctuates day to day," she explains, noting how she personalizes Ava's outfits based on her daily feelings and activities. James describes Ava's style as "basics with some flair," often incorporating high-waisted pieces and silk blouses for a business-lady chic look.
The Dance Sequence: Respectability Meets Ratchetness
The dance sequence in Abbott Elementary's season 3 premiere showcased James's comedic talent and her ability to strike a balance between the character's professional demeanor and her more unconventional side. Despite the seemingly brief moment on screen, James dedicated three hours to perfecting the "mini twerk," aiming for a midway point of "respectability and ratchetness."
Red Carpet vs. Real Life: Blurring the Lines
Interestingly, James notes a shift in Ava's style, with the character now dressing more like her off-screen. The costume designer has taken cues from James's personal wardrobe, incorporating sweater dresses and other easy-to-wear pieces. However, this has led James to consciously avoid wearing certain items in her own life to maintain a distinction between herself and Ava.
Read also: Mental Well-being of Janelle Monáe
The Evolution of Ava: Stagnation or Growth?
While some might expect character development, James believes that Ava's unchanging nature is essential to the show's dynamic. The teachers at Abbott seem to thrive when Ava is not overly involved, and her antics often drive the storylines. James enjoys playing Ava's wild side, finding humor in her occasional flashes of humanity.
Navigating Privacy in the Public Eye
James is mindful of maintaining privacy in Hollywood, recognizing that increased public interest often accompanies fame. She prefers to share what she's comfortable with on a day-to-day basis, prioritizing her work and peace of mind. Inspired by celebrities like Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, and Denzel Washington, she values the old-school approach of keeping personal matters private.
The Future: Behind the Scenes or Center Stage?
Although she appreciates Quinta Brunson's work on Abbott Elementary, James is hesitant to develop and star in a show based on her own life, citing the demanding nature of such a project. Instead, she is considering writing a book or returning to stand-up comedy, where she feels most authentic.
Ava's Age: A Timeless Mystery
James playfully avoids defining Ava's age, suggesting she is "timeless." However, she hints that Ava is likely a millennial, referencing her pop culture knowledge and past experiences.
Advice for Late Bloomers: Staying Grounded
Having found success later in life, James emphasizes the importance of financial planning and staying connected to her roots. She surrounds herself with longtime friends who knew her before her fame, keeping her grounded and providing honest feedback.
Read also: Janelle Stelson: An in-depth profile.
Future Aspirations: Stand-Up, Rom-Coms, and Maybe Marvel
Looking ahead, James plans to return to stand-up comedy and explore roles in romantic comedies. She also expresses interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even joking that she would diet for the opportunity to play Storm from "X-Men."
Separating Reality from Fiction
Ultimately, James wants audiences to recognize that she is not Ava Coleman. While she embraces the character, she emphasizes that it is a role she plays, and she hopes people appreciate her acting abilities rather than assuming she is just like her on-screen persona.
Janelle James's Diet
A Glimpse into Janelle James's Culinary Week
Janelle James offered a peek into her daily meals during a particular week. Her breakfast typically consists of scrambled eggs and kale, a simple and nutritious choice she relies on. During the week, she prepared chicken soup, which she enjoyed for both lunch and dinner, especially when feeling under the weather. James is an avid soup lover, particularly during winter, and enjoys making a variety of soups like tortellini, tortilla, Italian-wedding, minestrone, and lasagna soup.
For lunch, she indulged in an Italian sandwich from Marlow & Daughters, a place she describes as old-timey with fresh and appealing ingredients. Leftovers were a common theme in her meals, with chicken soup lasting for a couple of days. She also mentioned the importance of consuming fried foods immediately and avoiding leftover goopy dairy dishes.
One evening, she dined at her friend's house, ordering Thai food from Myrtle Thai, a consistently reliable delivery option in New York. She also enjoyed a smoothie from Brooklyn Blend, revisiting a favorite after a friend's recommendation.
Read also: Read about Janelle Brown's weight loss
After performing at the Comedy Cellar, she often visits the attached Olive Tree Cafe, where she enjoys their lentil soup, especially late at night. James also has a penchant for sweets, particularly Chocolove chocolate-pretzel bars, which she indulges in to unwind after her shows.
On another occasion, she had waffles with cheddar scrambled eggs at Kellogg's Diner, a decision influenced by her friend's suggestion. Later that night, she opted for a Caesar salad with grilled chicken at the Comedy Cellar, appreciating the surprisingly delicious version they offer.
James's Culinary Preferences and Philosophy
James emphasized her love for soup, especially during winter, and her preference for homemade soup with fresh herbs and high-quality stock. She also shared her experience cooking with her father in his restaurant, which initially made her weary of cooking but eventually led her to appreciate quick and easy recipes like soup.
She enjoys exploring different cuisines and trying new dishes, often discovering recipes by Googling available ingredients. James also highlighted the convenience of food delivery in New York, where she can easily satisfy her cravings regardless of location.
Balancing Act: Comedy, Acting, and Personal Life
James found a balance between her stand-up comedy career and her role on Abbott Elementary. She appreciates the collaborative environment of the show, particularly working with Quinta Brunson.
The Culture Diet
James shared her cultural preferences, including her love for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Jennifer Lawrence's performance in No Hard Feelings. She also enjoys watching YouTube channels featuring young women traveling and living for themselves, such as KarenBritChick, Monroe Steele, and Keltie O'Connor.
While she is hesitant to start her own YouTube channel, she is considering reviving her podcast. She is a longtime listener of The Read with Kid Fury and Crissle West.
James recently acquired a record player and has been enjoying listening to Alanis Morissette's MTV Unplugged and Ike Quebec's Bossa Nova Soul Samba. She emphasizes the importance of relaxation and rest, especially now that she has the financial means to do so.