Janelle James at Questlove Cameo, Ava’s clothing line

[This story contains spoilers from the April 17 episode of Abbott Elementary, “2 Ava 2 Fest.”]

Ava Fest is back Abbott Elementary School for the second yr in a row during Wednesday night’s episode of “2 Ava 2 Fest.” However, unlike the primary festival within the second season of the ABC series – during which the maddeningly unqualified principal of Willard R. Abbott’s school pretended that the name of the petition signing initiative stood for “A Very Abbott Festival” – this time he wastes no time in confessing his true intentions.

“Of course it’s Ava, what do you mean?” actress Janelle James, who plays Ava in Quinta Brunson’s comedy, asks jokingly. “He just desires to throw a celebration, charge out the door and take half. What’s all of the fuss about?”

The highlight of this episode seems to be Ava’s promise that Questlove will perform at the festival, which not one of the teachers imagine, after she did not book a spot for R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan the yr before. But in a surprising turn of events for everybody except the overconfident elementary school leader, the Philadelphia-bred, Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician and filmmaker emerges and solidifies Ava’s former cool girl status in front of all her classmates.

Below, James talks to Hollywood reporter about Questlove’s guest appearance, who argued with “Ashley Banks,” aka Tatyana Ali, in a previous episode this season, and the way she thinks Ava will handle Janine returning to Abbott after turning down her promotion at The District.

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I interviewed you in the course of the first season Abbott when things were still quite low key for you. What is life like now? Can you walk down the road now?

What is life like? Now I do makeup for Zooms. I learned this lesson. Can I walk down the road now? I can. Is this advisable? Sometimes not. I all the time want to offer people a great experience with me, especially because I feel like being a star is something completely different now and if someone has a foul experience with me, I’ll discover about it later. This really informs whether I’m going outside or not. Don’t walk down the road unless you are going to meet and greet or hear stories about your grandmother who was a teacher and your aunt who was a principal.

Talk about how this week’s episode of “2 Ava 2 Fest” got here about. Did you may have any influence on the implementation?

In season two we had Ava Fest. So after I saw the title of this episode, I assumed, “Oh, we’re back for a second one. It’s an event that happens every year.” Which could be very Ava. Although the primary one was a moderate success, he intends to do it again. Now I’m NO within the writers’ room at all, so I came upon about it similar to everyone else after I got the script, and I find it irresistible. For the primary time in my life I even have one job. I’m used to doing two or three. So I stay away, mind my very own business, and trust the writers to bring back the gold they brought.

Questlove’s cameo was teased throughout the episode, and it finally appears in the ultimate moments. What was it like working with him? Have you met him before?

I’ve met him just a few times, here and there. We talked about music and stuff like that. He can speak about it eternally. It was nice to see him. I believe he and Quinta are real friends. I never consider a star a friend unless I do know their mom’s name or something like that. But we’re cordial and he played his part.

I also like that this episode delves into Ava’s backstory and also you learn more about her origins. It’s like, after all Ava was once a fly girl. She knows people and is known in Philadelphia. So when Questlove shows up, it’s no big deal. She said, “What’s up, Quest?” which is a little bit of a joke towards the teachers who didn’t imagine he knew him. And admittedly, they shouldn’t imagine her because I didn’t get Mrs. Sullivan last yr.

Did the producers actually attempt to get Jazmine Sullivan to guest star?

I even have nothing in common with this. These are all Quinta acquisitions.

Have solid members ever pitched guest star suggestions?

I’m not making suggestions. I imagine that throwing out suggestions is nearly a guarantee that the person won’t show up, especially during a job interview. I hate doing it because people think I can get them on the show and I am unable to. I all the time say that I’m a really ambitious person. Like I said, Diana Ross should play Ava’s mom, and if we get her, she’s so big it won’t matter if I damage it first. But Quinta actually takes care of my boys. I believe it’s cool. If someone is concerned with love or whatever Ava is concerned with, she shows me a photograph and asks, “Are you okay?” “How much acting will you have to do for this one?”

Plus, with guest stars, sometimes it may possibly be cliche, just getting people into the show. But it is a testament to Quinta and our show that even our guest stars are very Philly. They come from Philadelphia. They have something to do with Philly. It’s not only this random guy. The characters are thoroughly integrated.

Ava got here head to head together with her sorority sister nemesis Crystal, played by Tatyana Ali, within the eighth episode of this season. What was it like working together with her?

First of all, how exciting. I walked into the makeup trailer and she or he’s sitting next to me and I’m like, “Hey, that’s Ashley Banks.” It was nice to play alongside her. In my mind I assumed, “Wow, what is that this? This is amazing.” And I told her that too, she really motivated me. bBecause it’s hard for someone to come to a show that’s already set, and she brought it. I was like, “Oh, let me get up too.” It’s not like you’re being lazy, but we’re so used to the rhythms of our band, so when a new person came in and they bring it, I was like, “Oh, OK!” Meeting her was an amazing experience for me.

At the tip of episode 10, we learn that Janine is leaving The District and returning to Abbott Elementary full-time. How will Ava take care of this news?

I believe everyone knows at this point that Ava is softening on Janine. She helps her. He compliments her in his own way. She’s not joyful about it, but replies, “Okay, fine. Whatever, she’s a good teacher. Also, people always say Ava is a foil, but Janine is also a foil. They are on two opposite ends of the spectrum. Ava causes chaos by being self-involved. And Janine causes chaos by getting involved, but under the guise of helping the school. The first season of Janine was a terrible mess. She was overconfident in a position she had just started. It was like, “Girl, hearken to your elders.” I ponder when she returns from the District, what her more confident attitude looks like, and how much teacher she can be now that she has this experience. Because she blew all of it away in The District and is somewhat more confident now. This season she opted for this little bodycon look. New little shoes. I see her.

Speaking of wardrobe, X (formerly Twitter) went crazy for the Harvard sweatshirt Ava wore within the season three premiere together with her name etched in jewels, and she or he also had just a few other fashion moments. Have you been approached a few industrial offer?

There he was Abbott Elementary School JC Penny line for teachers. Ava wasn’t there because she’s too loose for JC Penny. But he had Janine and everybody else. I’d like to do something with someone. If they’re smart, they need to hit me up because there are individuals who keep track of what I wear, and once they put it up, all the pieces sells. Do you remember the episode “Sick Day” in season two where I replaced Janine and did my glam thing? This dress is sold out. They redistributed it and it sold out again. I ponder why Ava/Janelle James don’t work together here? Harvard also sells this shirt. I’m not getting any discount, neither is the Quinta, and it doesn’t have that dazzling shine that sells it. But they sell this Ava T-shirt with my picture next to it, in order that’s funny. So, for those who give it some thought, I’ve been to Harvard twice.

You won an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award in your role, in addition to two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. What do these accolades mean to you specifically for this character, and do you may have a selected award in mind?

They feel amazing. It’s not something I’ve thought of before. I look at them as proof that I’m doing a great job. I’m grateful to have a job that I enjoy. Who can do and say this? If there are rewards involved, that is good too. That’s how I give it some thought. They’re actually right behind me, but nothing has modified. I prefer to remember this, so I do not give attention to things that do not matter. But I’d like to win all of the awards without obsessing about it, because then I’d be like, “Oh, you did such a great job you didn’t even have to ask for it.” People saw it and also you deserved it and here you might be, after which I add it to the remainder I even have. I just hope people see the work I do. I hope they recognize comedy and what an art form it’s. This is a difficult thing. This is a difficult thing for Quinta to do. All this stuff that comedians are all the time fascinated about once they speak about social issues and stuff, we actually do it, but in a way that is still hilarious. I’m glad I generally is a a part of it. If it comes with rewards? Cool. But I like money.

Abbott Elementary School airs latest episodes on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu.