We’re going into the NYOTA archives to find some of our favorite interviews that weren’t originally shared on the site.

Interview by Carol and Niara Wright

“I don’t surround myself with negative people because I think they’ll bring me down and make me go down the wrong path. I think you always have to have good friends surrounding you.”

Skai Jackson

Nowadays, not many people can say they don’t know the name Skai Jackson. Whether she’s taking down social media bullies, becoming the latest viral meme, or starring in a hit Disney show, Jackson is doing it graciously and refuses to become another “crash and burn” teen star. We sat down with Jackson at her cover shoot and asked the young actress what it’s like to grow up in the industry and what the future holds for her.

You’ve been acting since you were 5. Do you remember the moment when you knew acting was what you wanted to do as a career?

I kind of grew up into it. My mom put me into print and modeling when I was 9 months old, so of course, I didn’t have a choice. As I got older, I would watch different tv shows, and when I was two years old, I just knew that it was something I always wanted to do and that one day I wanted to end up on the big screen.  

How do you think being a Disney Channel actress shaped how you view the entertainment industry?  For example, if you were on Blackish or a Netflix show, do you think you would enjoy acting as much?

I’ve always loved acting and getting up and having a job to go to every day. Filming is really fun, and I definitely think Disney and being on a TV show have helped that.

You’ve amassed a large social media following since your days on Jessie. How has that impacted your childhood/ teenage years?  

Of course, people recognize me, and I get stopped all the time. That is something that has changed from before I was on TV. I would do a lot of commercials and print ads so people in New York, where I’m from, would recognize me, but not like now. 

There are many stories of the child star taking a turn for the worse. How do you keep yourself grounded?  

Surrounding myself with good people who support me. I don’t surround myself with negative people because I think they’ll bring me down and make me go down the wrong path. I think you always have to have good friends surrounding you. 

Do you want to do the “normal” teen thing: prom, football games, or do you like being able to do work and school at the same time?

It is pretty cool not having to wake up early and being able to fit school in whenever I want to. Sometimes I do wish that I could maybe go to school for a day and see how it is, because I’ve been homeschooled and I haven’t been to a regular school since I was eight years old.

How has your family handled your fame?  

They treat me normally, just how I was before I started Jessie. I’m just Skai, and that’s who I’ve always been to them. 

What’s your favorite movie/TV show you’ve worked on?

I would have to say The Watsons go to Birmingham. It was really cool because it was based in the sixties, and just to go back into that time period and see how it was. Even just seeing the difference between our dialect and the way we dress made it really cool to film. 

Have you always been creative/ interested in the arts?

I was always artistic, and even with my Barbie dolls, I would make clothes out of whatever I could find around the house. I would definitely say that I’ve always been creative and artistic.

What does a normal day in the life of Skai Jackson look like?

On the weekends, I’ll usually get up and make some breakfast, and go to the Grove or Beverly Drive with my friends. Other than that, I’m just relaxing, and you’ll find me in my bed at home. 

What type of projects do you hope to take on in the future?

I definitely want to stay in acting, and scary movies are one of my favorites, so I would want to be a part of that. I also want to do stuff behind the camera. Even if that is directing, producing, or writing, I think that would be really cool. 

What is it like to become a meme?

It was really fun, everyone was seeing me on their timeline, which was crazy. Even some of my favorite meme accounts post me, and I thought that was really cool. I have a great sense of humor, so I didn’t really take offense to anything. 

What do you do or what have you done to fight bullying?

Using my voice on social media just to stand up for what’s right and what I believe in. I think that I’ve been doing that so much lately that people are noticing I’m not just an actress; people aren’t putting me in one category. 

What are your other interests besides acting?

I definitely want to become a fashion designer in the future. That’s something that I want to achieve, and of course, like I said, directing, producing, and writing, all of that. 

You are probably one of the most stylish 15-year-olds we have ever seen. What is the inspiration behind your style? How do you and Apujah collaborate on your looks?

Usually, whenever I’m going to an event, my stylist will pull something that he has, and then he and I will mix and match items and make something really fun and creative that you wouldn’t typically see on the red carpet.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

Oprah, I love what she stands for, and also Will Smith. Really, just people who are strong in their beliefs and do charity work. 

This story first ran in Issue 8. Read more from the issue here.