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 [citation needed].
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.
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 Channeltelevision filmThe 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]
Artist Mike Deodato, a co-creator of Ironheart / Riri Williams, confirmed that Skai Jackson inspired the Marvel comic book character.[15][16][17] 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.[18] Marvel eventually cast Dominique Thorne as Ironheart for the second Black Panther film and the subsequent MCU projects.[19][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
Jackson has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[30][31] She 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]
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