Chris Rock secretly gave “Abbott Elementary ”star “Fairly Lady”-style makeover: ‘My garments had been ratty’

Chris Rock enjoys The Mercedes-Benz VIP Suite on day seven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 01, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City; Janelle James at ABC's "End of Summer Soiree" held at Cecconi's on September 05, 2025 in West Hollywood, California Chris Rock enjoys The Mercedes-Benz VIP Suite on day seven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 01, 2019 in Queens borough of New York City; Janelle James at ABC's "End of Summer Soiree" held at Cecconi's on September 05, 2025 in West Hollywood, California
Chris Rock; Janelle James. Credit score:

Matthew Stockman/Getty; JC Olivera/Selection through Getty

Janelle James obtained the fairy story when she went on tour with Chris Rock.

The Abbott Elementary actress shared that she was poor when she supported the Saturday Night Live alum on his Complete Blackout tour in 2017. When the exhibits started, James stated her boots had been "dusty" and her cardigan that she "wore to threads."

"My garments had been ratty," she informed Vulture's Good One podcast.

Janelle James calls Dave Chappelle's recent comedy specials 'boring' 'Abbott Elementary' star Janelle James called Dave Chappelle's recent comedy specials "boring." Janelle James auditioned for 'Glow,' is still 'salty' she didn't get the role Janelle James attends the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on February 07, 2025 in Santa Monica, California.

James stated she was "used to wanting dangerous" to draw much less undesirable consideration as a feminine comic, including that carrying mini skirts early in her profession obtained her sure "remarks." For some time, she stated she "forgot who I used to be."

Through the first leg of the tour within the South, the One in all Them Days actress stated she observed Rock looking at her worn-out boots. She acquired an invite from Rock's assistant to fly to Los Angeles to get "glammed up" quickly after.

"I didn't take it any sort of method," she stated. "I used to be like, 'That is wonderful.' Like Fairly Lady or no matter."

Chris Rock speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York City on September 23, 2023
Chris Rock speaks onstage through the International Citizen Competition in New York Metropolis on Sept. 23, 2023.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP through Getty

And just like the 1990 rom-com, James was introduced with racks of luxurious clothes to select from, noting that she had "by no means even seen issues that costly" earlier than. She felt proud displaying her new look to Rock, however was grateful when he didn't point out the beneficiant gesture to her straight.

"He didn't say something, which I admire," she stated. "He wasn't like, 'See what I've carried out for you?' He simply checked out me. He stated, 'You're doing nicely for your self.' That's what he stated. After which we continued on with the tour."

Janelle James on The Standups
Janelle James on 'The Standups' in 2021.

Clifton Prescod/ Netflix

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James went on to do even higher for herself, touchdown the function of fan-favorite Principal Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary in 2021. Whereas she beforehand informed Entertainment Weekly that she didn't got down to be an actress, the comic is aware of that she was meant to play Ava.

"When folks say, 'I can't think about another person enjoying Ava'…that's the objective," James stated. "They're going to need to kill me off."

Hearken to the total episode of Good One with Janelle James beneath.

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