Janelle James is showing Abbott Elementary fans a different side of her comedic chops with her new Netflix special.
“This is also what the challenge of this special is as well. These are people who are coming to see the character on Abbott Elementary, and I am truly just trying to introduce myself as myself, so some people will probably be shocked because they won’t do any investigation into my stand-up career. But that also, again, is not my problem. I’m just for my people,” James, 47, exclusively told Us about Janelle James: How Romantic, which made its streaming debut on Tuesday, November 10.
The Emmy-nominated actress has been doing stand-up for over a decade, and no topic is off-limits.
“I’ve been pretty brave since I’ve started. I’ve always wanted to do taboo subjects. That’s what my mind is. I just have a dark sense of humor. I think about melancholy things. I’m a classic, sad clown. I’m thinking about sad things all the time,” she said.
James admitted that her performance, however, is “different” than when she first started in comedy.
“I think I’m more joyous in my performance now than I used to be. I’m less sad, or at least outwardly, and I’m just a more confident performer now,” she shared.
In her first-ever hour-long Netflix special, James cleverly tackles hot-button topics like body counts, bank accounts and why women should wrestle men. Her unfiltered jokes come from a woman’s point of view, and she’s ready for any male critics who might take issue.
“In this day and age, there’s always concerns, but you can’t really let them stop you from moving. So obviously, if I was so concerned, I just would not do such a female-friendly set. People are going to have things to say, regardless. I have to not ready myself for that, but just be aware of that,” James explained.
The comedian said she’s “proud” and “confident” about the special.
“[I] can’t please everybody. And I feel like any men who would have bad feedback, they just don’t get it,” she told Us.
After 15 years in comedy, James knows her worth — and shared that earning the respect of her male peers has been just as meaningful as her success on Abbott Elementary.
“I know that I’m funny. I know I have the respect of my peers. That’s really hard. My peers are men. I have male respect in the comedy space. That’s a big deal. … then there’s all this work on Abbott and doing well at that, and just really being ready to do stand-up again. I really just had the urge,” she said.
James began her comedy career in 2009 and landed the opening act of Chris Rock‘s 2017 Total Blackout tour. She then started writing and voice acting for comedy shows like Central Park before appearing as a featured comic on Netflix’s The Standups in 2021.
James gained worldwide fame for her role as the quick-witted principal in ABC’s Abbott Elementary alongside Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The comedy debuted in 2021 and is currently airing season 6. Over its nearly 5-year run, Abbott Elementary has won 4 Emmys and earned 37 nominations.
