AN EMMY STAR IS BORN

When the 74th Emmy Awards air (Sept. 12 on NBC), Quinta Brunson, 32, will certainly be there. Her show, Abbott Elementary— which she created and stars in—will be up for seven awards, almost unheard of for the first season of a network sitcom. Here are some fun facts you may not know about the Philadelphia native.

Abbott Elementary was named after Brunson’s real-life former middle school teacher, Ms. Abbott.

Quinta means “fifth” in Spanish, indicating that she is the youngest of five children.

Before her success in entertainment, Brunson’s least-favorite job was working retail at American Eagle, where she spent most of her time folding jeans.

Brunson first got attention for her Instagram series Girl Who’s Never Been on a Nice Date, which went viral.

She’s the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the same year in the Emmys’ comedy category, for writing, series (as executive producer) and lead actress.