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Skai Jackson

American actress (born 2002)

American actress (born 2002)

FieldValue
nameSkai Jackson
imageSkai Jackson at WWD Style Awards 2026.jpg
captionJackson in 2026
birth_date
birth_placeStaten Island, New York City, U.S.
occupationActress
years_active2007–present
children1

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

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 an 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.

Early life

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

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

Artist Mike Deodato, a co-creator of Ironheart / Riri Williams, confirmed that Skai Jackson inspired the Marvel comic book character. 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. Marvel eventually cast Dominique Thorne as Ironheart for the second Black Panther film and the subsequent MCU projects.

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

In 2019, Jackson made her writing debut with the book Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback, 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. In 2023, Jackson appeared in the action film Sheroes, her first feature film role in 10 years. Also in 2023, Jackson received scrutiny for hosting a $5 raffle with a MacBook as a prize through CashApp, and was accused 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."

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

Personal life

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

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

Jackson has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007Liberty KidYoung DestinyIndependent film
2008Rescue MeLittle GirlShort film
2009The ReboundMuseum Little Girl #1
2011ArthurLittle Girl
The SmurfsKicking Girl
2013G.I. Joe: RetaliationRoadblock's daughter
2014My Dad's a Soccer MomLacy Casey
2023Big BossYoung Keke Palmerdate=November 12, 2024title=Skai Jackson pregnant with first child: Former Disney Channel star's 'heart is so full'url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-11-12/skai-jackson-pregnant-disney-channelaccess-date=December 8, 2024website=Los Angeles Timeslanguage=en-US}}
SheroesDaisy
The Man in the White VanPatty

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Sesame StreetHerself
2010Team UmizoomiKaylaVoice role; episode: "The Rolling Toy Parade"
Royal PainsMaddie PhillipsEpisode: "Big Whoop"
2010–2012Kick Buttowski: Suburban DaredevilMadisonRecurring voice role
2011Boardwalk EmpireAneishaEpisode: "What Does the Bee Do?"
2011–2013Bubble GuppiesLittle FishMain voice role
2011–2015JessieZuri RossMain role
2012Austin & AllyEpisode: "Austin & Jessie & Ally All Star New Year"
2012–2014Dora the ExplorerIsa the IguanaRecurring voice role
2013Good Luck CharlieZuri RossEpisode: "Good Luck Jessie: NYC Christmas"
The Watsons Go to BirminghamJoetta WatsonTelevision film
2014Ultimate Spider-ManZuri RossVoice role; episode: "Halloween Night at the Museum"
2015–2018Bunk'dMain role
2015K.C. Undercoverurl=http://www.disneyabcpress.com/disneychannel/shows/k-c-undercover/episodes/all-howls-eve/title=All Howl's Evework=Disney Channel Pressaccess-date=September 21, 2015archive-date=September 26, 2015archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926034846/http://www.disneyabcpress.com/disneychannel/shows/k-c-undercover/episodes/all-howls-eve/url-status=dead}}
2018Culture ClashAishaTelevision film
Marvel Rising: InitiationGlory GrantVoice role; 2 episodes
2019Marvel Rising: Chasing GhostsVoice role
Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands
2019–2022DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue RidersSummer
2019Marvel Rising: Operation ShuriGlory Grant
2020Dancing with the StarsHerselfContestant with Alan Bersten; eliminated 10th
2021A Black Lady Sketch ShowCeeceeEpisode: "If I'm Paying These Chili's Prices, You Cannot Taste My Steak!"
Muppets Haunted MansionSinging BustDisney+

Music videos

  • "Panini" (2019), by Lil Nas X

Bibliography

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

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
NAACP Image Awards2016Outstanding Performance by a Youth - Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-seriesJessie
Shorty Awards2017Best Influencer and CelebrityHerself
Young Entertainer Awards2018Best Young Ensemble in a Television SeriesBunk'd

References

References

  1. (April 8, 2020). "UPI Almanac for Wednesday, April 8, 2020". [[United Press International]].
  2. Houlis, AnnaMarie. (June 30, 2020). "The stunning transformation of Skai Jackson".
  3. (August 13, 2024). "Who Are Skai Jackson's Parents? Inside the Disney Channel Star's Family".
  4. (February 4, 2021). "No, I'm Honduran".
  5. (March 2022). "Skai Jackson on Facebook".
  6. "Skai Jackson TV Commercials". iSpot.tv.
  7. "Show bios - Skai Jackson". [[Disney Channel]].
  8. "Skai Jackson, from Disney's ''"Jessie"'', crowned Queen of Lip Sync at Premiere Event". Premiere Event.
  9. . (February 4, 2016). ["'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-nominees-862135/).
  10. "The Watsons Go to Birmingham (TV Movie 2013)". IMDb.
  11. (October 9, 2014). "'Jessie' Stars Get Animated for 'Ultimate Spider-Man' Crossover (Exclusive Photos)". The Wrap.
  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]].
  13. . (October 19, 2016). ["The 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016"](https://time.com/4532104/most-influential-teens-2016/).
  14. (September 5, 2019). "Skai Jackson Can't Escape From Lil Nas X in New ''Panini'' Music Video".
  15. "Complex".
  16. (November 19, 2018). "SKAI JACKSON 'REACHES FOR THE SKAI' WITH NEW BOOK".
  17. (November 21, 2018). "Skai Jackson Writing Book About Life Lessons & Clapping Back".
  18. (September 2, 2020). ""Dancing with the Stars" 2020 Celebrity Cast Announced!". ABC.com.
  19. Comments, Tom Chang {{!}}. (July 9, 2023). "Sheroes Stars Luss, Day, Fuhrman & Jackson on Filming Action-Comedy".
  20. (July 11, 2023). "Disney star Skai Jackson slammed for "scamming" fans with giveaway". Dexerto.
  21. (March 27, 2024). "skaijackson Instagram post".
  22. Bonner, Mehera. (June 16, 2020). "Skai Jackson Just Dropped Her Restraining Order Against Bhad Bhabie". [[Cosmopolitan (magazine).
  23. (August 13, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Arrested on Suspicion of Domestic Battery".
  24. Saad, Nardine. (August 13, 2024). "Disney Channel's Skai Jackson arrested on suspicion of domestic battery at Universal Studios". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  25. Chiu, Melody. (September 6, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Will Not Be Charged After Domestic Battery Arrest at Universal Studios (Exclusive)".
  26. (November 12, 2024). "Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant! Actress Expecting First Baby with Boyfriend".
  27. (November 17, 2024). "Skai Jackson's Baby News Overshadowed by Baby Daddy's Arrest".
  28. Zogbi, Emily. (January 26, 2025). "Disney Alum Skai Jackson Gives Birth to 1st Baby".
  29. (May 19, 2025). "Skai Jackson Granted Restraining Order Against Her Son's Father After Alleged Mother's Day Attack".
  30. (September 15, 2021). "The Truth About Being on Disney Channel (Spilling Tea) Skai Jackson".
  31. (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".
  32. (November 12, 2024). "Skai Jackson pregnant with first child: Former Disney Channel star's 'heart is so full'".
  33. Briscuso, Lex. (May 24, 2022). "Skai Jackson's Disney Channel Days: Her Most Candid Quotes".
  34. "All Howl's Eve". Disney Channel Press.
  35. (October 16, 2024). "'Jessie' Cast: What Are the Disney Stars Up to Now?".
  36. Bloom, Madison. (September 5, 2019). "Watch Lil Nas X's Futuristic New "Panini" Video".
  37. "The Shorty Awards - Honoring the best of social media".
  38. Hartshorn, Tori. "Third Annual Young Entertainer Awards Spectacular at Universal Studios Hollywood Set for 4/14".
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2002-births living-people 21st-century-american-actresses african-american-child-actresses 21st-century-african-american-actresses african-diaspora-in-honduras american-child-actresses american-film-actresses american-television-actresses actresses-from-staten-island american-people-of-honduran-descent hispanic-and-latino-american-actresses people-with-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder
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