Aaron Jackson is one of the main characters in the original Freeform series Grown-ish, which is a spinoff of the ABC series, Black-ish.
Character Info[]
Aaron is an attractive, confident, charming and determined young man with a lot of ambition and goals. He is “woke”, as evident by his many buttons to various causes dealing with African Americans.
Black-ish Introduction[]
Aaron was first introduced in Season 3 of Black-ish in the episode Liberal Arts. He was an undeclared sophomore when he met Zoey Johnson, during her campus tour of Cal U. Aaron made a reappearance in Season 4 of Black-ish in the episode Elder. Scam. where he stayed at the Johnson family home for the weekend, while he was in town for a music festival. Zoey’s younger sister Diane and grandmother Ruby developed crushes on Aaron, during his stay there.
Grown-ish (Season 1)[]
Trevor Jackson reprised his role as Aaron Jackson in the Black-ish spin-off series Grown-ish, which follows Zoey Johnson to college. Aaron seems to come off as the ultimate college frat boy, without the being in an actual fraternity part. He's very popular, he plans and attends numerous parties, is known as one of the hottest guys on campus and many girls want him (including main protagonist, Zoey Johnson). That aside, he’s shown to be a caring friend and is super passionate about the black community and spends quite a bit of time, trying to save Hawkins from being shut down so that black people can have a safe space of their own to enjoy and celebrate their culture.
Grown-ish (Season 2)[]
In Season 2 of Grown-ish, Aaron takes a job as the RA for Hawkins. He becomes best friends with Douglas Edwards and Vivek Shah. He also enters into a situationship with Ana Torres, which quickly becomes complicated once Zoey finds out. Shortly after Zoey gives her blessing, Aaron realizes that he doesn’t want anything more than a physical relationship with Ana, leading to the end of it altogether. He continues his activism for the black community, including putting together an event for Black Mental Health, which turns out to be a success.
Grown-ish (Season 3)[]
During Aaron’s senior year, he had more pressure than ever to prepare for adulthood. He deals with the reality and struggles of student debt, before getting a job as Administrative Assistant to Charlie Telphy. He has a relationship with a girl named Rochelle, while also battling feelings he still has for Zoey. He gets arrested after putting up posters that exposes Cal U for investing students' tuition dollars into private prisons. Aaron put together many powerful protests, which eventually resulted in Cal U divesting from private prisons. He ends the season by graduating and professing his love to Zoey.
Grown-ish (Season 4)[]
Aaron is finally with Zoey after three years of back and forth. He is happy, loves her very much and makes it clear that she is the only person he wants to be in a relationship with. When Doug Edwards is being pessimistic about fighting for black rights because he doesn't feel like it'll fix anything, Aaron educates him about how they just can’t give up because if their ancestors did, they wouldn’t be where they are now. Aaron protests with his friends for the many unjust killings of unarmed Black men. Dean Telphy gives Aaron the opportunity to start leading lectures for the Midnight class the group attended four years ago. Aaron helps out Zoey by getting her the credits she needs to graduate but before he can show her, Luca Hall offers her a job opportunity that she accepts .
He ends the season Aaron pulls up in a car outside and heads up the steps of Zoey apartment, smiling
Relationships[]
Zoey Johnson - Zoey had an obsession with Aaron since the day that she met him at Freshmen Orientation on Black-ish. It only intensified more when she attended the same college as him. She’d mildly stalk him, find out where he was at all times and assumed everything he posted was about her and their non existent relationship. Aaron had feelings for Zoey too, but did not show it nearly as much as she did, which sent her mixed signals. While he was playing games and entertaining other girls, more options opened up for Zoey. He seemed to notice this, which prompted him to put a little more effort into showing that he liked her. Aaron and Zoey's situationship gets temporarily stalled when she falls in love with Basketball player, Cash Mooney. At the end of the season, Aaron confessed his true feelings to Zoey, but she ultimately chose to be with Luca instead.
Aaron and Zoey are still really good friends in season 2, despite her being with Luca. Though, it’s hinted they still have romantic feelings for each other on multiple occasions. For Aaron, it was the deeply sad reaction to seeing Zoey for the first time, since the rejection. Also, Ana drunkenly pointing out to Aaron that he doesn’t want to date her but he wanted to be in a relationship with Zoey. For Zoey, it was her having a meltdown after finding out Aaron was hooking up with Ana and calling him her ex multiple times (even to her boyfriend), even though they had never been in a relationship before. She also dreamed of a more romantic version of her and Aaron's conversation at his Black Minds Matter event, despite it being super friendly in reality. Aaron is left surprised and confused when Zoey kisses him at the airport, before leaving for London.
When Aaron and Zoey see each other again in season 3, they brush off the spontaneous kiss that happened months ago and stay friends. Their friendship hits a major speed bump when Zoey forgets to help Aaron out with a job opportunity, causing him to rightfully lash out at her. After some time and space apart, Zoey apologizes again and he forgives her. Aaron kisses Zoey goodbye after she quits Cal U to do her styling job, full time. Despite the "will they, won't they" back and forth, one thing that has remained the same is how much Aaron supports Zoey. Zoey even goes as far as crediting Aaron's support as the reason she is where she's at in her career. Zoey catches serious feelings for Aaron during her month away and hasn’t been able to get him off her mind since their last kiss. Unfortunately, when she returns back in town for a visit, she finds out he has a new girlfriend. Aaron apologizes to her for the uncomfortable situation but explains that after all their back and forth, he just can't trust her with his heart anymore. Aaron and Zoey’s dynamic is a little awkward, since she let her feelings be known without the knowledge that he was in a relationship. They find their rhythm as friends again, once they team up and work together for a protest Aaron put together. Unfortunately, the friendship bliss for Zoey doesn’t last long, once Aaron’s girlfriend Rochelle, asks Zoey to kindly back off from him. Aaron confides in Zoey about his dilemma with the offer he got from Cal U before his girlfriend. Aaron goes to inform Zoey that out of respect for Rochelle, he’s gonna give their friendship some space. Zoey unconsciously slips out that she’s in love with Aaron which confuses and frustrates him, but also leads to him kissing her. Aaron and Zoey sleep together and this gives Zoey the false impression that they were going to be together. Zoey argues about feeling like a side piece after she sees him hand in hand with his girlfriend and Aaron makes it clear that she isn’t that but he needs time to think about what to do because he has a lot on his plate with graduation coming up. Zoey meets up with Aaron and decides to take herself out of the equation to make the decision easier on him. Zoey apologizes for the mess she’s caused and all the back and forth over the years and he lets her know that she can’t take the blame alone. She tells him if they’re truly meant to be, then they’ll be together later down the line... but if not, they had a nice run. Aaron shows up to Zoey’s home and nervously tells her that he understands what she said but he’s sick of waiting and confesses his love for her. He makes it clear that he wants to be with her right then and there, before kissing her.
In season 4, Aaron and Zoey are on vacation in Mexico with friends and have officially been dating for two weeks. They are excited to have a good time but Zoey’s mood is brought down when the group is not interested in hanging with each other. When the whole gang begins throwing jabs at one another, she storms off. Aaron goes after her and cheers her up by taking her on their very first date. Zoey and Aaron have a good time on their date by going to the bar, dancing all night long and even stealing a piñata. When Zoey sees a wedding chapel, she has the idea to get married and they do. After making love on a beach, they are caught by the cops and arrested. Zoey has a hard time keeping calm at the police station, so Aaron tries to soothe her before assuring her they’ll be fine. Unfortunately, in attempt to bribe an officer, Aaron is charged with soliciting a guard. Zoey is upset by this and lashes out at him which makes them engage in a heated argument that is based on who is to blame for the situation they’re now in. This leads to the both of them saying really hurtful things to one another that they don’t mean. Zoey confesses to her crime, which results in her having to stay one night in jail. Aaron is appalled by this and tries to stop the police from taking her but he can’t and he sleeps outside on the bench waiting for her. Zoey and Aaron make up and decide to undo their marriage, which they came to realize wasn’t legal anyway. Back at home, they continue to be in a healthy and solid relationship that involves supporting one another. They meet a road bump when Zoey is upset at Aaron for getting into an argument with Luca over her professional issue, after she asked him not to. After not being able to sleep without him, Zoey goes to his midnight class to see him and they make up. Their bliss doesn’t stay long when Aaron finds out Luca offered Zoey a job working with him, in order to earn her credits. Unbeknownst to Zoey, Aaron already scored her the credits when he went and asked Charlie Telphy for the favor. Aaron is by himself sulking, when Luca approaches him and subtly taunts him. Aaron punched Luca and leaves the party angry with Zoey, who is confused on why it happened. Zoey heads to Aaron’s apartment and finds a note left on the table with flowers, revealing the credits he got her that she desperately needed.
Zoey goes home to see Aaron. She’s hopeful about their relationship and apologizes for jumping into a work thing with Luca without talking to him first. Aaron admits he has a problem with her and Luca, but agree’s that Zoe should work for Luca’s company.
He comes clean that he won’t like it if they start to work together again, and that he doesn’t want to hold her back. He then claims that something has been off for a while, that he isn’t who he wants to be. he tells Zoey he wants to remove himself from the relationship so that he can figure out what he needs. Zoey cries before telling Aaron f*ck you and leaving! Aaron and Zoey break up
Aaron and Zoey get pie at the campus diner, and Aaron teases Zoey about her worry that he has a new girlfriend already after he keeps checking his phone. Aaron admits that he’s checking it to see if he got the academic grant that he applied for. The grant would allow him to take the CalU Afro Salon to another level, and he’s too anxious to even talk about it.
When Aaron awkwardly asks Zoey if she has a man, she teases him back and they end up sitting on the same side of the table feeding each other pie. Aaron is shocked that Zoey doesn’t like blueberry, and tells her she’s lucky he likes her. Zoey reminds Aaron that he loves her, and he reveals that he still does.
Aaron fully caves and concedes to Zoey that he does miss her, before asking her if they can do this again sometime. Zoey smiles, and the two end up in bed together. Worried, she asks Aaron if they’re bad people for enjoying time together while Vivek is suffering.
Aaron is sure Vivek is finding the silver lining in the scenario but tells Zoey that he’ll check in with him just in case. When Aaron picks up his phone, he finds out he got the academic grant for Afro Salon, that will allow him to take the salon abroad and teach students internationally.
Zoey is incredibly proud of Aaron, and excited until she finds out his first opportunity to teach internationally is in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zoey reassures Aaron it’s okay to feel happy about getting his grant, even though the day has been so terrible and tragic. Aaron confesses to her that the thing that’s stopping him from getting excited about his grant opportunity is them reconnecting. Zoey reassures him that he shouldn’t worry about their relationship and that she wants the best for him regardless of where he ends up.
Zoey wants to be strong and say goodbye with no tears, but before she can, Aaron asks her to come with him to South Africa. He explains that he knows it’s a crazy idea, but before Zoey can think about it too hard (or at all), she says yes. Aaron asks how she’s going to break the news to her family, and Zoey says she’ll tell them after they land in South Africa.
Uber, he goes over the last-minute travel checklist with Zoey, who’ll be meeting him there in two weeks. As he goes over everything they need, Zoey blurts out that she can’t go with him to South Africa.
Aaron is obviously confused and asks her why she can’t go. Finally, Zoey comes clean about the investor who wants to back Anti-Muse, and how Luca asked her to go to New York with him. Even more hurt hearing it’s about Luca, Aaron asks her why she waited until now to tell him.
She tells him it’s because she didn’t want him to think he was choosing Luca, but that she can’t imagine leaving Anti-Muse after putting in so much work and time into it. The only thing that could even make her consider leaving it behind, was how much she loves him.
Aaron starts to walk away, but after putting his bags in the car, he tenderly tells Zoey that he loves her too. He got her necklace with Africa on it, and instead of wearing it there, she can wear it to remember him while he’s gone. Aaron promises that just like she supported him while he found himself, he can do the same for her.
3 months after graduation, Zoey takes a very Bradshawesque walk down a street in New York, and chases after a man who she thinks is Aaron but turns out to be just another tall guy with a rat tail. Arriving home, Zoey promises herself that just like at Cal U, she’ll find her people and her way. As she goes inside, Aaron pulls up in a cab outside and heads up the steps of her apartment, smiling
Ana Torres - Aaron has had a hate/love dynamic with Ana Torres since the very beginning of the show because of their extreme differences in politics. They are known for taking jabs and making fun of each other but they still care about one another as friends. They begin to flirt in Season 2, which in due time, leads to them having sex. Their hookups are put on pause once Zoey finds out and freaks, but continues once she gives her blessing. Ana begins to catch real feelings for Aaron but it’s not mutual, which hurts her deeply. Despite the pain and romantic rejection, Ana still sleeps with Aaron for a while because she still wants to be with him in some way... until she realizes it’s not good for her and stops their physical relationship altogether.
Rochelle - Aaron first encounters Rochelle at a night out at Titanium in the episode Tweakin' of Season 2. They go back to her dorm to hook up but he backs out at the last minute, due to guilt over his situationship with Ana. Rochelle reappears again in Season 3 but this time, as Aaron’s girlfriend. According to Aaron, they got together over winter break. Aaron and Rochelle’s relationship seems to be going fine but ever since Zoey has been back in the picture, it has caused Rochelle to feel threatened by Aaron's bond with her. Aaron cheats on Rochelle with Zoey, leaving him guilt ridden and confused. He eventually follows his heart and breaks up with Rochelle (off screen), so that he can be with Zoey.
Quotes[]
- "Clown? I'm the clown? Bro, you look like Willow Smith." -Aaron's clapback to Luca in If You're Reading This, It's Too Late.
- "I just could never imagine not dating a Queen." -Aaron to the group in It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp.
- "No one knows Ana's political views until she states them. As for me, I am black the minute that I walk into a room." -Aaron to Zoey in Safe and Sound.
- "I see you as somebody I want to talk to all the time, be around all the time and that I haven't been able to get out of my head since the day that I met her." -Aaron confessing his feelings to Zoey in Crew Love.
- "But what that mouth do?!" Aaron's reaction to a Twerk Burger commercial in Girls Like You.
- "Ohhh. You guys are about to make life, not end it." Aaron to a random couple in a dorm that he busted into, in Only Human.
- "Um, my bad that I get moved after my excellent performances." -Aaron to Ana when she exposes that he cries after sex to the group in Close Friends.
- "No, he's definitely white. Look at the shoelaces. They're choking his ankles." Aaron to Doug about Sky's new boyfriend in Gut Feeling.
- "The graduating class of 2020 stands in unity... and until our tuition dollars are divested, no student will walk this stage." Aaron during his graduation protest in Who Do You Love?.
- "The truth is- I love you too...so much. So... I want our story to start now. Like... right now." Aaron confessing his love to Zoey in Who Do You Love?.
Trivia[]
- He is the only main character to have a last name that is the same as the actor.
- Aaron and Luca are the only people in the friend group who don’t like each other.
- According to Ana, Aaron cries after sex. Though, he argues it was one tear.