Whereas Ava’s look adjustments continuously on Abbott Elementary, it went by way of some large adjustments as she handled getting fired and ultimately being re-hired. Included in that change was her varied hair types, and it seems that’s really a reasonably cool Easter egg that alludes to the principal’s mentality throughout this time. So, after I spoke with the present’s Make-up Division Head and hair designer Moira Frazier, she advised me all about how Ava’s hair advanced by way of this time and the which means behind it.
As I watched the ultimate episodes of Abbott’s fourth season on the 2025 TV schedule, I used to be questioning how Ava’s adjustments in appears to be like mirrored how she was feeling. This thought actually took over when Ava acquired fired and Gregory took over because the interim principal. So, I requested Moira Frazier in regards to the adjustments in Janelle James’ appears to be like for these episodes particularly, and she or he began out her clarification by telling me:
We needed to inform a narrative that was a bit of bit distinctive for her this season, and this season, that uniqueness, although she’s daring and do a unique wig each episode, that sort of factor, we needed to sort of scale it again. As a result of, bear in mind, in Season 3, she was actually making an attempt to be grounded in her ‘I am the principal’ function at Abbott Elementary. In Season 4, she needed to be taken much more critically. So we went with extra of the calm, cool, collective types, but nonetheless daring and nonetheless capable of stand out.
In the event you watch this season of Abbott with a Hulu subscription, you’ll see Ava rocking a burgundy ombre look, her signature lengthy black straight hair, and even a lighter, barely blonder second. That lighter look got here proper after she was fired within the episode “Music Class.”
Frazier advised me it was finished to obviously present Ava’s new scenario and make an announcement, as she defined:
So when she acquired launched from her job, after which, as a result of she took one for the staff, like a pacesetter does, however when she acquired launched from her job, after which was capable of bounce again or come again on her day without work to gather all her issues, it was simply refreshing for her to make that assertion. And we needed to make that assertion with the daring hair.
Not lengthy after that, Ava was ultimately rehired because the principal of Abbott, and with it got here one other hair change. Nevertheless, this time, it wasn’t completely new. Frazier defined they took the 2 signature appears to be like they’d developed for James’ character this season and “elevated” them a bit.
This helped assert Ava’s place on the college and exhibit her confidence, energy and maturity. Because the hair designer stated, it advised the viewers that Principal Coleman is “nonetheless that woman.” Chatting with that time, and utilizing James’ ombre burgundy wig for example, Frazier stated:
This season, I launched an ombre burgundy sort shade, which was a really deep and vibrant shade that sort of goes into the maturity of Ava’s character and the way she has matured, even till now. So when the sunshine hits it, you’ll be able to see that pop of shade. Despite the fact that it is on the ends, it sort of offers that pop of shade, that pop of confidence, like ‘I am nonetheless that woman, don’t play with me.’ So coming again into that, that is sort of what we performed on, between her ombre look in addition to her good, glossy, basic hero Ava look, which is the lengthy 26 inches, whether or not it is a facet half or perhaps a center half.
General, it’s fascinating how a lot hair, similar to wardrobe and make-up, can say about the place somebody’s at.
Ava actually went by way of it this season on Abbott Elementary, and I like that her look advanced and adjusted alongside her. It’s simply extra proof of why this collection is likely one of the finest sitcoms, as a result of it cares in regards to the particulars and makes use of little Easter eggs and particulars like this to clue us into the place a personality is at and the way they’re feeling.