Asia Jackson
Asia Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson in 2018 | |
| Born | May 25, 1994 California, United States |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Website | http://www.asiajackson.com |
Asia Jackson (born May 25, 1994) is an American actress, YouTuber and activist of African-American and Filipino descent.[1] In 2016, she created the #MagandangMorenx (literally translated to "beautiful brown skin") movement to combat colorism in Filipino communities worldwide.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Jackson was born on May 25, 1994 in California.[1][7] As a child of a member of the U.S. military she lived in various U.S. and Asia locations including Tokyo, Japan, and Baguio City, Philippines.[7][8] Her father is Black-American and served in the United States Air Force.[8] Her mother is ethnically Igorot from Baguio City, Philippines.[1][4] She originally attended college for computer information systems before dropping out to become an actress.[7][8] She attended Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California.[7]
Career
[edit]Acting
[edit]After dropping out of college, Jackson began taking acting classes.[7] In 2016, she appeared in her first billed television role on ABC's Modern Family.[9] Her first feature film Stalked By A Reality Star premiered on Lifetime in 2018.[10]
YouTube
[edit]In 2016, Jackson started uploading videos to her YouTube channel where she chronicles her day to day life as an actress and shares beauty and fashion tips.
As a beauty influencer, she has worked with brands such as Sephora, Armani, Neutrogena, and Laura Mercier. She was a Proactiv ambassador in 2018.[11]
Fashion
[edit]She sat front row at the Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya show at Paris Fashion Week in spring 2019.[12]
In celebration of Filipino-American History Month, Jackson collaborated with the Asian-American woman owned streetwear brand UPRISERS in October 2019.[4] She created a capsule collection of clothing and accessories with messaging like "MORENX" (translated to: "brown skin") and "You Can't Tell Me Who I Am" to empower people with marginalized identities.[13]
As a fashion influencer, she has worked with brands such as Nike, Coach, and Farfetch.
Activism
[edit]Jackson created the Twitter movement #MagandangMorenx in October 2016 to "celebrate the diversity of Filipino beauty",[1] "reject long established and elitist beauty standards",[14] and "promote self love and self acceptance".[15] The movement seeks to challenge and dismantle colorism in Filipino and Asian communities.[4][6] It originated on Twitter but has crossed over to platforms like Instagram and Facebook. She originally started #MagandangMorenx as a way to celebrate Filipino-American History Month.[14] Jackson has spoken at numerous universities across the United States, such as UC Berkeley and Syracuse University, about colorism in Filipino communities as well as in Western media.[16][17]
In 2023, in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, she became involved with a public dispute with comedian Amy Schumer about the career ramifications of supporting Israel and Palestine, which was further amplified by actress Mia Khalifa.[18][19]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Stalked By A Reality Star | Mischa |
| 2020 | Nocturne | Abigail |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Modern Family | Prom Dress Student | 1 episode |
| 2017 | The Young and the Restless | Emma | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Superstore | Kylie | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Speechless | Heather | 1 episode |
| 2018 | Alone Together | Charlene | 1 episode |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Escobar, Allyson (May 31, 2017). "Actress Asia Jackson wants to take on 'colorism,' redefine Filipino beauty". NBC News. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Tan, Yvette (October 30, 2017). "Filipinos on Twitter are speaking up to end the obsession with light skin". Mashable. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Filipinka walczy z kompleksami Azjatek na punkcie jasnej skóry". www.glamour.pl (in Polish). Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Oriel, Christina M. (October 30, 2019). "#MagandangMorenx: How Asia Jackson is igniting a mission to end colorism and challenge Filipino beauty standards". Asian Journal News. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Ayn Bernos (January 28, 2020). "These Morenas Share How They Learned To Embrace Their Beautiful Brown Skin". COSMO.PH. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b "Meet half-Pinay model who wants to smash beauty standards". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Episode 61: Come At Me Crazy (w/ Asia Jackson)". megan batoon. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c Flanagan, Marguerite. "Asia Jackson: Air Force Kid and Actor!". Military Kid's Life. 5: 5–6.
- ^ "Asia Jackson". IMDb. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "YouTuber-Actors Jordan Doww, Asia Jackson to Appear in Lifetime Movie". www.tubefilter.com. March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Asia Jackson's Clear-Skin Journey with ProactivMD, August 9, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2020
- ^ Fabiana Repaci (March 3, 2019). "Front Row at Tommy X Zendaya Spring 2019". WWD. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "#MagandangMorenx: Calling in the Filipino community to take down Anti-Blackness". One Down. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ a b Ramos, Nicole Blanco (November 16, 2018). "Who's That Girl: Asia Jackson". Wonder. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Afro-Filipina actress Asia Jackson addresses colorism with the viral #MagandangMorenx movement". HelloGiggles. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Fall 2019 Conference". Mixed @ Berkeley. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Vlogger Asia Jackson speaks about colorism in media". The Daily Orange. September 14, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Ryan (November 2, 2023). "Amy Schumer accused of "harassing" Black actress on Instagram". Newsweek. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, Sophie (November 2, 2023). "Mia Khalifa shares furious Amy Schumer messages". Newsweek. Retrieved November 4, 2023.