Fans of Abbott Elementary are even more in awe of Quinta Brunson after she shared her pre-fame story. The 34-year-old Emmy winner is the show’s star, creator, writer, and executive producer.
In a Live with Kelly and Mark interview, Brunson disclosed that not all of her jobs had been successful. According to People, she recalled folding jeans—a skill she admits she was terrible at—at American Eagle.
However, she stumbled upon something she excelled at, saying, “I worked as a dance teacher for many years after school. And I worked at the Apple Store. I was at the Genius Bar, but I was an FRS [Family Room Specialist] so I would fix phones, iPods, and iPads.”
Brunson continued, “Computers were for the big boys.” She clarified, though, that she can still “do a thing or two” with an iPhone, and she even assists her castmates at Abbott Elementary with their gadgets. “I help Sheryl [Lee Ralph] all the time on the show and Lisa [Ann Walter],” she was quoted as saying.
In an interview with Adam Scott for Variety Studio: Actors on Actors recently, Brunson quipped, “My publicist told me to stop talking about it,” referring to her former Apple Store job.
The young celebrity has worked her way to her current level of success, gaining recognition and popularity. Janelle James, another cast member, asserted that Brunson’s involvement in the series helped her develop close relations with her co-stars off-screen.
Meanwhile, her show enters its third season, and she advises viewers to “expect the unexpected,” according to 6ABC. Brunson also disclosed that even her cast was surprised by where this season takes them.
“I realized talking to Janelle (James) that she never knew what was coming in the scripts,” Brunson said, referring to her costar who plays Ava Coleman. “That was great because that’s kind of what we wanted to do. We wanted to pack a punch in the writers’ room. If the cast didn’t see it coming, that’s a very good sign for the audience.”
