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Skai Jackson

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Skai Jackson
Jackson in 2018
Born (2002-04-08) April 8, 2002 (age 22)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present

Skai Jackson (born April 8, 2002)[1] is an American actress. She is best known for playing Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie (2011–2015) and its spin-off series Bunk'd (2015–2018). Jackson appeared on Time's list of the "Most Influential Teens" in 2016, and was nominated for Best Influencer at the Shorty Awards in 2017.

Jackson began acting as a child with the independent film Liberty Kid (2007), and made cameos in films such as The Rebound (2009) and The Smurfs (2011). She has since had voice roles in the Marvel Rising franchise (2018–2019) and DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders (2019–2022), and starred in the film Sheroes (2023). Her memoir Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback was released in 2019. Jackson was also a semi-finalist on the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars (2020).

Early life

Jackson was born in the Staten Island borough of New York City.[2] Her parents divorced when she was young, and was raised primarily by her mother.[3] She is of Afro-Honduran and African-American descent.[4][5] Jackson began her career as a child model, appearing in numerous national commercials, including for Band-Aid, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Old Navy.[6]

Career

Jackson in 2013

Jackson's first major acting role was in the 2007 independent film Liberty Kid, which was followed by a guest appearance in a 2008 episode of Rescue Me. In 2009, Jackson made a cameo in the film The Rebound, and was cast as Little Fish in the Nickelodeon pre-school animated series Bubble Guppies. She followed this with minor roles in the television series Team Umizoomi, Royal Pains and Boardwalk Empire, and the 2011 films Arthur and The Smurfs.

In 2011, Jackson was cast as Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie, which aired for four seasons and ended in 2015.[7][8] For the role, she received an NAACP Image Award nomination.[9] In 2013, she appeared as Joetta Watson in the Hallmark Channel television film The Watsons Go To Birmingham.[10] In 2014, she guest-starred in an episode of Disney XD's animated series Ultimate Spider-Man.[11] From 2015 to 2018, she reprised the role of Zuri in the series Bunk'd.[12] She was included on Time magazine's list of "Most Influential Teens" in 2016, and was nominated for Best Influencer at the Shorty Awards in 2017.[13][14]

In 2018, Jackson made a guest appearance in Marvel Rising: Initiation as Glory Grant, a role she reprised in Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts, and Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands. In 2019, she appeared in the music video for Lil Nas X's "Panini",[15] which went viral and spawned several memes due to her character being unable to escape the rapper.[16]

In 2019, Jackson made her writing debut with the book Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback,[17][18] and began voicing Summer on the Netflix animated series DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders, which ended in 2020.

In 2020, Jackson was announced as one of the celebrities competing on the 29th season of Dancing with the Stars with Alan Bersten. The pair made it to the semi-finals, and finished at 10th.[19] In 2023, Jackson appeared in the action film Sheroes, her first feature film role in 10 years.[20] Also in 2023, Jackson received scrutiny for hosting a $5 raffle with a MacBook as a prize through CashApp, and was accused her of scamming her followers in order to gain money. Jackson said in response: "It is not that serious, for a damn $5. It is called a raffle."[21]

Other ventures

In March 2024, Jackson became the brand ambassador for Cantu Beauty.[22]

Personal life

Jackson has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[23][24] She confirmed to People in November 2024 that she was expecting her first child with boyfriend Deondre Burgin.[25][26]

In March 2020, Jackson filed court papers for a restraining order against rapper Bhad Bhabie claiming that she had harassed her. The petition was temporarily granted, and later dropped by Jackson.[27]

On August 8, 2024, Jackson was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.[28][29]

Filmography

The cast of Jessie in 2011

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Liberty Kid Young Destiny Independent film
2008 Rescue Me Little Girl Short film
2009 The Rebound Museum Little Girl #1
2011 Arthur Little Girl
The Smurfs Kicking Girl
2013 G.I. Joe: Retaliation Roadblock's daughter
2014 My Dad's a Soccer Mom Lacy Casey
2023 Sheroes Daisy
2024 The Man in the White Van Patty

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Sesame Street Herself
2010 Team Umizoomi Kayla Voice role; episode: "The Rolling Toy Parade"
Royal Pains Maddie Phillips Episode: "Big Whoop"
2010–2012 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil Madison Recurring voice role
2011 Boardwalk Empire Aneisha Episode: "What Does the Bee Do?"
2011–2013 Bubble Guppies Little Fish Main voice role
2011–2015 Jessie Zuri Ross Main role
2012–2014 Dora the Explorer Isa the Iguana Recurring voice role
2013 Good Luck Charlie Zuri Ross Episode: "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas"
The Watsons Go to Birmingham Joetta Watson Television film
2014 Ultimate Spider-Man Zuri Ross Voice role; episode: "Halloween Night at the Museum"
2015–2018 Bunk'd Main role
2015 K.C. Undercover Episode: "All Howl's Eve"[30]
2018 Marvel Rising: Initiation Glory Grant Voice role; episodes: "Floor Toms and Spider Webs", "Ghost Hunter"
2019 Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts Voice role
Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands
2019–2022 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Summer
2019 Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri Glory Grant
2020 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant with Alan Bersten; eliminated 10th
2021 Muppets Haunted Mansion Singing Bust Disney+

Music videos

Bibliography

  • Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback (2019)

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
NAACP Image Awards 2016 Outstanding Performance by a Youth - Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series Jessie Nominated [9]
Shorty Awards 2017 Best Influencer and Celebrity Herself Nominated [14]
Young Entertainer Awards 2018 Best Young Ensemble in a Television Series Bunk'd Won [32]

References

  1. ^ "UPI Almanac for Wednesday, April 8, 2020". United Press International. April 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020. …actor Skai Jackson in 2002 (age 18)
  2. ^ Houlis, AnnaMarie (June 30, 2020). "The stunning transformation of Skai Jackson". The List. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "Who Are Skai Jackson's Parents? Inside the Disney Channel Star's Family". Distractify. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  4. ^ @skaijackson (February 4, 2021). "No, I'm Honduran" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Skai Jackson on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022.[user-generated source]
  6. ^ "Skai Jackson TV Commercials". iSpot.tv. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  7. ^ "Show bios - Skai Jackson" (Press release). Disney Channel. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  8. ^ "Skai Jackson, from Disney's "Jessie", crowned Queen of Lip Sync at Premiere Event". Premiere Event. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Staff, compiled THR (February 4, 2016). "'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  10. ^ The Watsons Go to Birmingham (TV Movie 2013) - IMDb, retrieved August 7, 2019
  11. ^ Ge, Linda (October 9, 2014). "'Jessie' Stars Get Animated for 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Crossover (Exclusive Photos)". The Wrap. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 25, 2015). "Disney Channel's 'Jessie' Ending Run, But Spinoff Series Set With Stars Peyton List, Karan Brar & Skai Jackson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  13. ^ Staff (October 19, 2016). "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016". Time. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "The Shorty Awards - Honoring the best of social media". shortyawards.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  15. ^ "Skai Jackson Can't Escape From Lil Nas X in New Panini Music Video". E! Online. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  16. ^ "Complex". Complex Networks.
  17. ^ "SKAI JACKSON 'REACHES FOR THE SKAI' WITH NEW BOOK". BCK Online. November 19, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  18. ^ "Skai Jackson Writing Book About Life Lessons & Clapping Back". theJasmineBRAND. November 21, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  19. ^ ""Dancing with the Stars" 2020 Celebrity Cast Announced!". ABC.com. September 2, 2020.
  20. ^ Comments, Tom Chang | Last updated | (July 9, 2023). "Sheroes Stars Luss, Day, Fuhrman & Jackson on Filming Action-Comedy". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "Disney star Skai Jackson slammed for "scamming" fans with giveaway". Dexerto.com. Dexerto. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "skaijackson Instagram post". Instagram. March 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  23. ^ "The Truth About Being on Disney Channel (Spilling Tea) Skai Jackson". YouTube. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  24. ^ @skaijackson (September 6, 2020). "Sometimes my ADHD so bad, if I sit for too long it feels like bugs are crawling on me and I gotta jump up" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Socka, Hannah; Flynn, Rachel; Chiu, Melody (November 12, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant! Actress Expecting First Baby with Boyfriend". People. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  26. ^ "Skai Jackson's Baby News Overshadowed by Baby Daddy's Arrest". The Source. Retrieved November 19, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Bonner, Mehera (June 16, 2020). "Skai Jackson Just Dropped Her Restraining Order Against Bhad Bhabie". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  28. ^ Quinn, Liam; Juneau, Jen (August 13, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Battery". People. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  29. ^ Saad, Nardine (August 13, 2024). "Disney Channel's Skai Jackson arrested on suspicion of domestic battery at Universal Studios". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  30. ^ "All Howl's Eve". Disney Channel Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  31. ^ Bloom, Madison (September 5, 2019). "Watch Lil Nas X's Futuristic New "Panini" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  32. ^ Hartshorn, Tori. "Third Annual Young Entertainer Awards Spectacular at Universal Studios Hollywood Set for 4/14". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
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