Quinta Brunson, the multi-talented powerhouse behind the hit show “Abbott Elementary,” shows no signs of slowing down. In an exclusive interview with Cosmo for their final issue of the year, the 32-year-old shares what it takes to succeed in the television industry, why her team considers her the best boss ever, and her plans for a well-deserved winter hiatus.
As we discuss her show, Quinta’s memory is put to the test when I mention that my neighbor Zion had a role as a student in the debut episode of “Abbott Elementary.” She racks her brain to recall Zion’s last name, a testament to the immense responsibility she carries as she oversees a large cast and crew on a daily basis. With three Emmy wins and two record-breaking seasons under her belt, Quinta’s show has become a comedic lifeline, providing laughter in the face of the world’s challenges. It’s a wonder she found the time to squeeze me into her schedule today, all while preparing to head to the set, her freshly washed natural hair wrapped in a plush towel. Suddenly, it hits her. “Broadnax!” Quinta exclaims with a laugh. “Zion Broadnax. I know my kids!”
Long before the meteoric rise of her fresh face, I first noticed Quinta’s relentless drive back in 2014. Her video series, “The Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date” (affectionately known as “He got money!”), captured the attention of my friends and me. Then came her iconic era at BuzzFeed Video, a time when the company’s series dominated the internet, with Quinta’s distinct brand of humor at the forefront. I started working at BuzzFeed shortly after, and although our paths never crossed for a collaboration—she was in L.A., and I was in NYC—I closely followed her string of viral hits. It comes as no surprise that she has been funny since childhood, amusing her family with spot-on impressions, and honing her craft during college at Temple University. She would skip classes for weeks at a time to immerse herself in intensive improv workshops in Chicago. Eventually, she took a leap of faith, dropping out of school to pursue her passion in L.A. She went from being broke to being booked.
All the hard work Quinta put in laid the foundation for her creative brainchild, “Abbott Elementary.” This mockumentary portrays dedicated teachers in an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school. Now, she has entered her mogul phase. Quinta recently signed a multiyear deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, securing her position on “Abbott” while also venturing into new content creation and development. On top of that, she has even portrayed the incomparable boss, Oprah Winfrey, in the biopic “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.”
But first, breakfast. “Sorry, Patrice,” she apologizes. “My food just arrived, and I have to…” Astonishingly, Quinta manages to enjoy her meal without disrupting our conversation. Whenever she likes a question, she eagerly responds, and her laughter becomes a cue for me to take note. Even when faced with a Zoom mishap, she remains patient. For a couple of hours, I get a taste of what it might be like to work alongside her on set or in a writers’ room.
