Skai Jackson

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Skai Jackson
Skai Jackson in 2023 01.jpg
Jackson in 2023
Born (2002-04-08) April 8, 2002 (age 23)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present
Known for Jessie
Children1

Skai Jackson (born April 8, 2002) [1] is an American actress. With such accolades as a Shorty Award and a nomination for a NAACP Image Award, she was featured in Time's list of the most influential teens in 2016.

Contents

After early child acting roles in the independent film Liberty Kid (2007) and with cameos in The Rebound (2009) and The Smurfs (2011), Jackson gained recognition for her starring role as Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel comedy series Jessie (2011–2015) and its spin-off series Bunk'd (2015–2018). She received a NAACP Image Award nomination for the role.

Jackson has since voiced characters 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). She has also been recognized for her social media presence.

Artist Mike Deodato, a co-creator of Ironheart / Riri Williams , confirmed that Skai Jackson inspired the Marvel comic book character. [2] [3] [4] Jackson stated she would like to play Ironheart in a live-action adaptation. She auditioned for an unnamed role in the 2018 Marvel film Black Panther. [5] Marvel eventually cast Dominique Thorne as Ironheart for the second Black Panther film and subsequent the MCU projects. [6] [7] [8]

Early life

Jackson was born in the Staten Island borough of New York City. [9] Her parents divorced when she was young, and was raised primarily by her mother. [10] She is of Afro-Honduran and African-American descent. [11] [12] Jackson began her career as a child model, appearing in numerous national commercials, including for Band-Aid, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Old Navy. [13]

Career

The cast of Jessie in 2011 Jessie Cast.jpg
The cast of Jessie in 2011

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. [14] [15] For the role, she received an NAACP Image Award nomination. [16] In 2013, she appeared as Joetta Watson in the Hallmark Channel television film The Watsons Go To Birmingham. [17] In 2014, she guest-starred in an episode of Disney XD's animated series Ultimate Spider-Man . [18] From 2015 to 2018, she reprised the role of Zuri in the series Bunk'd . [19] 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. [20] [21]

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", [22] which went viral and spawned several memes due to her character being unable to escape the rapper. [23]

In 2019, Jackson made her writing debut with the book Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback, [24] [25] 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. [26] In 2023, Jackson appeared in the action film Sheroes , her first feature film role in 10 years. [27] 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." [28]

In March 2024, Jackson became the brand ambassador for Cantu Beauty. [29]

Personal life

She has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [30] [31]

Relationships

Jackson confirmed to People in November 2024 that she was expecting her first child with then-boyfriend Deondre Burgin. [32] [33] She gave birth to their son in January 2025. [34] In May 2025, she requested a restraining order against Burgin, accusing him of assault and battery. [35]

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. [36]

On August 8, 2024, Jackson was arrested at Universal Studios Hollywood on suspicion of domestic battery. [37] [38] [39] In September, the office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to file charges against Jackson. [39]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007 Liberty Kid Young Destiny Independent film
2008Rescue MeLittle 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
2014My Dad's a Soccer MomLacy Casey
2023Big BossYoung Keke Palmer Short film [40]
Sheroes Daisy
The Man in the White Van Patty

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006 Sesame Street Herself
2010 Team Umizoomi KaylaVoice role; episode: "The Rolling Toy Parade"
Royal Pains Maddie PhillipsEpisode: "Big Whoop"
2010–2012 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil MadisonRecurring voice role
2011 Boardwalk Empire AneishaEpisode: "What Does the Bee Do?"
2011–2013 Bubble Guppies Little FishMain voice role
2011–2015 Jessie Zuri RossMain role
2012 Austin & Ally Episode: "Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year" [41]
2012–2014 Dora the Explorer Isa the IguanaRecurring voice role
2013 Good Luck Charlie Zuri RossEpisode: "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas"
The Watsons Go to BirminghamJoetta Watson Television film
2014 Ultimate Spider-Man Zuri RossVoice role; episode: "Halloween Night at the Museum"
2015–2018 Bunk'd Main role
2015 K.C. Undercover Episode: "All Howl's Eve" [42]
2018Culture ClashAishaTelevision film [43]
2018 Marvel Rising: InitiationGlory GrantVoice role; 2 episodes
2019Marvel Rising: Chasing GhostsVoice role
Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands
2019–2022 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Summer
2019Marvel Rising: Operation ShuriGlory Grant
2020 Dancing with the Stars HerselfContestant with Alan Bersten; eliminated 10th
2021 A Black Lady Sketch Show CeeceeEpisode: "If I'm Paying These Chili's Prices, You Cannot Taste My Steak!" [40]
2021 Muppets Haunted Mansion Singing BustDisney+

Music videos

Bibliography

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
NAACP Image Awards 2016 Outstanding Performance by a Youth - Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series Jessie Nominated [16]
Shorty Awards 2017Best Influencer and CelebrityHerselfNominated [21]
Young Entertainer Awards2018Best Young Ensemble in a Television Series Bunk'd Won [45]

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. ↑ Mike Deodato Jr. [@mikedeodato] (July 11, 2016). "Riri Williams was based on the beautiful young actress @skaijackson" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2017– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Jackson, Skai (July 15, 2016). "I'm truly honored to be the inspiration for #Ririwilliams Marvel Studios Marvel Comic". Facebook (Social media post). Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  4. ↑ Hobbs, Ira (July 14, 2016). "Marvel's Riri Williams Based On Fave Skai Jackson". Blavity (Article). Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  5. ↑ Pham, Jason (October 25, 2021). "Skai Jackson Auditioned For This Role in 'Black Panther' & Hopes to 'One Day' Play Riri Williams". StyleCaster . Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ Gelman, Vlada (December 10, 2020). "Secret Invasion, Marvel Series Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Coming to Disney+". TVLine . Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ Han, Angie (December 10, 2020). "Marvel announces four new Disney+ series including 'I Am Groot' and 'Secret Invasion'". Mashable . Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ Davis, Brandon (August 19, 2021). "Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams to Debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Exclusive)". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  9. ↑ 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)
  10. ↑ "Who Are Skai Jackson's Parents? Inside the Disney Channel Star's Family". Distractify . August 13, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  11. ↑ @skaijackson (February 4, 2021). "No, I'm Honduran" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ "Skai Jackson on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on April 30, 2022.[ user-generated source ]
  13. ↑ "Skai Jackson TV Commercials". iSpot.tv. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Show bios - Skai Jackson" (Press release). Disney Channel. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. 1 2 Staff, compiled THR (February 4, 2016). "'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ The Watsons Go to Birmingham (TV Movie 2013) - IMDb , retrieved August 7, 2019
  18. ↑ Ge, Linda (October 9, 2014). "'Jessie' Stars Get Animated for 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Crossover (Exclusive Photos)". The Wrap. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ Staff (October 19, 2016). "The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016". Time . Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  21. 1 2 "The Shorty Awards - Honoring the best of social media". shortyawards.com. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Skai Jackson Can't Escape From Lil Nas X in New Panini Music Video". E! Online. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Complex". Complex Networks .
  24. ↑ "SKAI JACKSON 'REACHES FOR THE SKAI' WITH NEW BOOK". BCK Online. November 19, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Skai Jackson Writing Book About Life Lessons & Clapping Back". theJasmineBRAND. November 21, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  26. ↑ ""Dancing with the Stars" 2020 Celebrity Cast Announced!". ABC.com. September 2, 2020.
  27. ↑ Comments, Tom Chang | Last updated | (July 9, 2023). "Sheroes Stars Luss, Day, Fuhrman & Jackson on Filming Action-Comedy". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Disney star Skai Jackson slammed for "scamming" fans with giveaway". Dexerto.com. Dexerto. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  29. ↑ "skaijackson Instagram post". Instagram . March 27, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  30. ↑ "The Truth About Being on Disney Channel (Spilling Tea) Skai Jackson". YouTube . September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  31. ↑ @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.
  32. ↑ 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.
  33. ↑ "Skai Jackson's Baby News Overshadowed by Baby Daddy's Arrest". The Source . November 17, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  34. ↑ Zogbi, Emily (January 26, 2025). "Disney Alum Skai Jackson Gives Birth to 1st Baby". Us Weekly. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Skai Jackson Granted Restraining Order Against Her Son's Father After Alleged Mother's Day Attack". Essence . May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  36. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (June 16, 2020). "Skai Jackson Just Dropped Her Restraining Order Against Bhad Bhabie". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved July 6, 2020.
  37. ↑ 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.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. 1 2 Chiu, Melody (September 6, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Will Not Be Charged After Domestic Battery Arrest at Universal Studios (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  40. 1 2 "Skai Jackson pregnant with first child: Former Disney Channel star's 'heart is so full'". Los Angeles Times. November 12, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  41. ↑ Briscuso, Lex (May 24, 2022). "Skai Jackson's Disney Channel Days: Her Most Candid Quotes". J-14. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  42. ↑ "All Howl's Eve". Disney Channel Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  43. ↑ "'Jessie' Cast: What Are the Disney Stars Up to Now?". J-14. October 16, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  44. ↑ Bloom, Madison (September 5, 2019). "Watch Lil Nas X's Futuristic New "Panini" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  45. ↑ 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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