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.
Skai Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson in 2018 | |
| Born | April 8, 2002 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2007–present |
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'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]
Legal disputes
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
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
- ^ "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)
- ^ 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) - ^ "Who Are Skai Jackson's Parents? Inside the Disney Channel Star's Family". Distractify. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ @skaijackson (February 4, 2021). "No, I'm Honduran" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Skai Jackson on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022.[user-generated source]
- ^ "Skai Jackson TV Commercials". iSpot.tv. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- ^ "Show bios - Skai Jackson" (Press release). Disney Channel. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Staff, compiled THR (February 4, 2016). "'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ The Watsons Go to Birmingham (TV Movie 2013) - IMDb, retrieved August 7, 2019
- ^ Ge, Linda (October 9, 2014). "'Jessie' Stars Get Animated for 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Crossover (Exclusive Photos)". The Wrap. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Staff (October 19, 2016). "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016". Time. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Shorty Awards - Honoring the best of social media". shortyawards.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ "Skai Jackson Can't Escape From Lil Nas X in New Panini Music Video". E! Online. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ "Complex". Complex Networks.
- ^ "SKAI JACKSON 'REACHES FOR THE SKAI' WITH NEW BOOK". BCK Online. November 19, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ "Skai Jackson Writing Book About Life Lessons & Clapping Back". theJasmineBRAND. November 21, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ ""Dancing with the Stars" 2020 Celebrity Cast Announced!". ABC.com. September 2, 2020.
- ^ Comments, Tom Chang | Last updated | (July 9, 2023). "Sheroes Stars Luss, Day, Fuhrman & Jackson on Filming Action-Comedy". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Disney star Skai Jackson slammed for "scamming" fans with giveaway". Dexerto.com. Dexerto. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
- ^ "skaijackson Instagram post". Instagram. March 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "The Truth About Being on Disney Channel (Spilling Tea) Skai Jackson". YouTube. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ @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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Skai Jackson's Baby News Overshadowed by Baby Daddy's Arrest". The Source. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bonner, Mehera (June 16, 2020). "Skai Jackson Just Dropped Her Restraining Order Against Bhad Bhabie". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "All Howl's Eve". Disney Channel Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (September 5, 2019). "Watch Lil Nas X's Futuristic New "Panini" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ Hartshorn, Tori. "Third Annual Young Entertainer Awards Spectacular at Universal Studios Hollywood Set for 4/14". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
External links
- Skai Jackson at IMDb