‘Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James Made a Huge Style Error at the Emmys: ‘Every Photo of Me Smiling Is a Lie’ (Exclusive)

When it comes to fashion, Abbott Elementary star Janelle James certainly didn’t mean to suffer.

Nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her role as Principal Ava Coleman in the hit ABC sitcom, James, 45, had selected a stunning gown for the Emmys. But she made one grave error in judgment before leaving for the red carpet.

“My shoes were too tight,” the actress tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue when asked about her last wardrobe malfunction. “And I was literally in tears before I hit the red carpet.”

“There is nothing worse,” she continues. “Every picture you see of me looking effervescent and happy was all a lie. If you zoom in, you can see the pain in my eyeballs.”

James said her only relief came at the end of the ceremony, when her costar Tyler James Williams “almost had to half carry me to where the car was picking us up.”

“And then, right when we got there, there was some company handing out slippers. And if I could kiss that dude on the mouth, I would have,” she recalls.

The actress sat down to share a few more of her lasts with PEOPLE for One Last Thing:

Last irrational fear
I can’t do horror movies, it really messes me up. I already don’t sleep. I don’t need to add to that. Life is scary enough as it is, right? 

Last time I cursed
Please, every day. I think that’s a New York thing, it’s just part of your vocabulary. F—, motherf—er, bitch. I use them all. It’ll let you know I mean business.

Last thing I took from a set
I had a stand-alone episode [of Abbott], and I had on this blue dress. I wanted to have it because I was proud of my performance. If I ever get one of those ostentatious mansions, I’ll frame it and put it on a wall. 

Last time I was starstruck
I was very excited to meet Queen Latifah at the NAACP Awards a few years ago. She is an idol to me. But I’m not like a starf—er. I can admire people without being a weirdo about it.  

Abbott Elementary airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. EST.