Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James And Ava Coleman Have This One Thing In Common
ABC’s Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James is more like her character Ava Coleman than fans realized. The actress had a string of odd jobs and side hustles to make ends meet before she achieved success with Abbott Elementary. Similarly, James may be the Principal of the Philadelphia elementary school, but she always has side gigs to earn more income. Over the course of five seasons, Ava’s character evolution on Abbott Elementary has been one of the most inspiring. She has transformed from a closed-off and cold colleague to someone of great importance to the characters’ lives. James’s acting and comedic timing play a significant role in Abbott Elementary’s success, and the realism of James’s life, as portrayed through Ava, makes it all the better.
Janelle James Hustled Different Jobs Before Landing The Role Of Ava Coleman
Janelle James as Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary looking annoyedImage: ABC via MovieStillsDB
Ava Coleman has slowly become the main character of Abbott Elementary, and that’s largely in part to Janelle James’s craft. The actress and comedian was on an episode of the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast where she shared more about her life before landing the role of Ava. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, she never thought about a life in the arts. Instead, she focused on different side jobs that she was good at to make a living. James’s first gig was working at her dad’s restaurant. When she eventually moved to New York, she created a business as a personal chef and would travel to people’s homes and offices to cook for them. At the time, James explained that she didn’t know what her passion was, and instead focused on things she was good at to make money. She taught sewing lessons at her apartment, hosted parties, waitressed, washed hair at salons, worked in a law office, and sold cigars at a strip club.
“What skills do I have that can turn into money?”
It wasn’t until she got married that her now ex-husband encouraged her to do something with her comedy. James never thought she was “hilarious,” but enjoyed observing and reporting what she saw. Once the couple moved to the Midwest, James went to her first stand-up comedy show. It was then that she tried doing her own set for the first time and realized it was what she wanted to do. From there, she traveled with other comics and did stand-up shows around the country. Years later, she auditioned for the role of Ava Coleman in Abbott Elementary. She told creator Quinta Brunson that she didn’t know if she wanted to act, but knew she wanted to be a part of the series.
“(Ava Coleman’s) a hustler at the end of the day. That’s really what I took out of her ethos. She has — same thing like me — multiple businesses going even though she’s a principal.”
The connection James had to Ava’s character shines brightly on screen. She’s been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards for her amazing portrayal of everyone’s favorite principal.
Here’s What We Can Expect From Ava Coleman In Season 5
The main characters of Abbott Elementary support AvaCustom image by Milica Djordjevic
Ava Coleman may have started as selfish and narcissistic on Abbott Elementary, but she has done a 180 in later seasons. Now in season 5, Ava’s in a completely different place than she was in season 1. Ava was reinstated as Abbott Elementary’s principal; she let down her guard with her colleagues, and she got into a healthy relationship with Abbott Elementary’s IT representative, O’Shon. Janelle James told Variety that Ava’s season 5 storyline revolves around her being sick in love.
“Ava is in love. She can’t shut up about it. Six episodes (into table reads), she’s smitten. That’s a new flavor for her, and I’m having a good time figuring out how to play a woman who’s actually feeling vulnerable.”
Ava has always needed a challenge to stay interested in something, and that’s exactly what O’Shon offers her as a partner. Although Abbott Elementary is a few episodes into season 5 (as of this publishing), not much is known about what to expect from Ava. The one thing James does want for her character, however, is growth.
“I would love to just see (Ava) continue to evolve.”
Whether it’s professionally or personally, James wants Ava to continue bettering herself.
Abbott Elementary
9/10
Release Date
December 7, 2021
Quinta Brunson
Janine Teagues
Tyler James Williams
Gregory Eddie
已发布: 2025-10-15 21:32:00
来源: screenrant.com
