Skai Jackson


Skai Jackson is an American actress, YouTuber, and author, who was included in Time’s list of Most Influential Teens in 2016. Jackson first began acting at the age of 5, making her debut in the film Liberty Kid. She later came to international prominence for her portrayal of Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel series Jessie, and in the sequel, Bunk'd. She has also voiced Glory Grant across the Marvel Rising series, and voiced Summer in the animated series . In 2019, Jackson released her debut novel, Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback.

Life and career

Early life and career

Jackson was born on April 8, 2002 in New York City. She began her career as a child model appearing in numerous national commercials, including for Band-Aid bandages, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Old Navy.
Jackson’s first major acting role was in the independent film Liberty Kid, which was followed by a guest appearance in an episode of Rescue Me. In 2009, Jackson made a cameo in the film The Rebound, and in the same year was cast as a member of the Nickelodeon pre-school animated series Bubble Guppies, playing the role of Little Fish. She continued to make cameo and guest appearances in the television series Team Umizoomi, Royal Pains, and Boardwalk Empire, and in the 2011 films Arthur and The Smurfs.
In 2011, she was cast as Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie, which aired from September 30, 2011 to October 16, 2015. For the role, Jackson received an Image Award nomination. In 2013, she appeared as Joetta Watson in the Hallmark Channel television film The Watsons Go To Birmingham, and in the year following guest-starred in an episode of Disney XD's animated series Ultimate Spider-Man. In 2015, after Jessie ended, it was announced that Jackson would reprise her role as Zuri Ross in the Disney Channel series Bunk'd, a spin-off series. Bunk'd premiered on July 31, 2015, and she departed from the series after its third season in 2018. In 2016, Jackson was included on Time's list of Most Influential Teens, and in 2017, she received a nomination from the Shorty Awards for Best Influencer.
Following her success with the shows, Jackson promptly made a guest appearance in K.C. Undercover. 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, Jackson was cast in the music video for Lil Nas X's "Panini". The video gained worldwide popularity, and spawned a variety of memes due to her character being unable to escape the rapper. In the same year, Jackson made her writing debut with the boom Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback, and began voicing Summer on the Netflix animated series , which ended in 2020.

Personal life

In March of 2020, Jackson filled court papers for a restraining order against rapper Bhad Bhabie claiming harassment from Bhabie. The petition was temporarily granted, however, it was later dropped by Jackson.
On June 6, 2020, Jackson faced criticism after doxing an alleged minor over a racially insensitive statement on an Instagram post. It had been said that the user had been expelled from his school and his families employment terminated, to which Jackson denied the rumours, and later apologized for leaking their information.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Books