00:00I was just, I wanted to go in very strong because the cast is so strong and so supported and so, you know, tapped into the story.
00:08And I just wanted to make sure I brought, you know, an authentic and original Jackie.
00:15My uncle always says, no grind, no grit, no greatness.
00:23I like that.
00:26I know a lot of people are like being introduced to you.
00:29I know for me, the first time I was introduced to you on This Is Us, love, love that.
00:35Yes, I love, love, love that show.
00:37So when I saw you on Bel Air, I was like, she looks so familiar.
00:39And I was like, oh, snap.
00:40I was like, she was dancing in This Is Us.
00:43That was my show.
00:44So, yes.
00:45Okay.
00:45I was like, okay, good to see her.
00:49Oh, thank you.
00:50You're welcome.
00:51So I really just want to start off with, you know, you know, I was doing some digging and I saw that you just, you do it all.
00:57You dance, you sing, you act.
00:59So I want to know, at what point did you know you wanted to be a creative and like take this seriously?
01:04Um, ever since I was a little girl, like ever since I was a little girl, my dad is a musician and my, my mom's a dancer.
01:12So art was always in the household and I was always a diva.
01:17And like, I was like, I'm going to be a star and, you know, just young and fearless.
01:21And I knew I just wanted to do art.
01:25I love that.
01:26So if you could like rank them from like singing, dancing, acting, what, what's the ranking we got?
01:31I can't do it.
01:31I can't do it.
01:34They're, they're all, they're all equal.
01:36It's, I don't know.
01:37They're all so different for me.
01:39And I fell in love with them at such different times in my life that they're, you know, just different outlets for different things.
01:46Um, and they just express, I don't know.
01:50I don't, it's too hard.
01:51It's, it's, I couldn't rank them.
01:53I couldn't.
01:54Okay.
01:54Okay.
01:54I get you.
01:55I get you.
01:55They're like your babies.
01:56I get you.
01:56I get you.
01:57They are my babies.
01:58Yes.
01:59So, well, we can talk about your most, you know, recent accomplishment of just you being a part of the Bel Air Cad.
02:05So we'll move on that.
02:07So I really wanted to know, you know, how did that come about and where were you when you got the call?
02:11Like, okay, you're going to be Jackie.
02:13Okay.
02:14So that's actually funny.
02:15Um, I took myself out to a sushi date, um, just because my agent was like, you know, we'll hear back from them soon.
02:23And I was like, I don't really want to think about it.
02:25So I'm just going to take myself to a sushi date.
02:27And I was reading my book and eating and my agents called me and I was like, hello.
02:36Well, congratulations.
02:37You're going to be Jackie.
02:38That was like, and I like read out and I was like, are you sure?
02:43And, um, yeah, I called my parents.
02:48I like did a happy cry and I was like, wow, that's crazy.
02:53I love that.
02:54I love that.
02:54So what has it just been like for you to just, you know, join such a hit show?
02:58Like, did you have any pressure on yourself?
03:00Like, how are you feeling?
03:01Of course, you know, I think a lot of, it's natural for actors to just put pressure on themselves.
03:08And, um, I do that a lot.
03:10And, um, I was just, I wanted to go in very strong because the cast is so strong and so supported.
03:16And so, you know, tapped into the story.
03:19And I just wanted to make sure I brought, you know, uh, an authentic and original Jackie and made it my own, but also truthful to the perspective.
03:28I didn't want to, you know, butcher it or, or not be accurate to Jackie.
03:35Okay.
03:36Awesome.
03:36And so, you know, I got to take a little sneak peek of the episodes and Ms. Jackie is, she's, she's, you know, start up a little trouble.
03:45So a little bit, a little, like a smidge of trouble, but it's not your fault.
03:50So, you know, as we just continue to watch the season, what do you, what do you want fans to, you know, take away from Jackie and what can we expect from Jackie for the rest of the season?
04:00Um, I think I want them to take away that there's more beyond the surface.
04:04Um, you know, you only see what Jackie wants to show you.
04:09And I feel like, you know, people are the way they are because of their past, because of their traumas, because of their struggles.
04:15And, um, let's not be quick to judge a character.
04:18I, I think we should extend empathy to all, to all people.
04:23And yeah, I wish, I wish that.
04:27Okay.
04:27Awesome.
04:27And so, you know, what have you learned the most about yourself?
04:31Like, what are some lessons that you've taken away just like being on this show and being, you know, on this cast?
04:37I think most importantly, I've learned to just push through.
04:40Even when those self-doubts creep in and, you know, you're not good enough.
04:44Why are you here?
04:45Why did they pick you?
04:46Like, you just keep going.
04:48Because a lot of times the magic is in those moments.
04:51It's, um, the magic comes from, you know, places where you don't think it would come from.
04:56And so I think to be persistent and consistent and then to have such a great cast that's super supportive and, um, you know, wants everyone to thrive.
05:05And having such Black excellence on the show and, like, surrounded, it's, it's beautiful.
05:11So, yeah.
05:13Cool.
05:13I love that.
05:14And so, you know, I kind of want to pivot from acting for a bit because I know you, you sing and dance.
05:19So, you know, can we expect some music coming this year?
05:23Like, what are we, what are we bringing to the music scene?
05:27Well, hopefully, yes, I'm in the works.
05:30I'm in the studios.
05:31So hopefully I can, you know, put out music by summertime.
05:35Um, I know I'm going back to school, so see what the schedule looks like.
05:41Right.
05:43But, yes, I am hoping and I will put out music soon.
05:47Okay, awesome.
05:48And where, where are you going to school?
05:50How old are you?
05:50Like, I didn't know she was a schoolgirl, too.
05:53Schoolgirl, yes.
05:54I was going to school while we were shooting and it was, it was interesting.
06:00Right.
06:01I go to school at UCLA and I'm a psychology major.
06:05Oh, okay, okay.
06:07Awesome.
06:07And how old are you?
06:09I'm 25.
06:11Sorry, I forget.
06:13Girl, I understand.
06:15Awesome.
06:15So, like, how are you, how are you kind of, like, balancing and maintaining your mental health by, you know, you're doing so many things.
06:21You're going to school, you're acting, you're doing music.
06:24Like, how do you try to, like, you know, just stay zen and calm, like, during all that chaos?
06:29Yeah.
06:29Um, it was, I mean, honestly, this season was the, the testing season for me because I usually am, like, very calm and, like, peaceful and I, I'm used to being busy.
06:40But this season, I was like, okay, this is, this is a lot, you know, I'm, I'm very overwhelmed.
06:45And I feel like my faith has a lot to do with my peace, you know, staying, staying consistent and staying and keeping my vision on the purpose and my purpose and not letting other distractions, you know, take me away from that.
06:59And I just got a therapist, which I'm really excited about.
07:03And, you know, I love to journal, I love to read, I love my alone time to wind down and, you know, focus on what I need.
07:16And I love to take myself on dates, just me.
07:18And, yes, self-love, you know, yeah, I think just, just keeping my eye on my purpose really helps me keep going.
07:30Right. Awesome. And so, you know, in spirit of Women's History Month being in March and this month, I would love to know just what advice do you have to give for young women who, you know, want to do it all and want to be in the industry?
07:46I think the most important advice is stay consistent.
07:51And, you know, you're going to hear a lot of no's, you're going to get a lot of rejection.
07:56But, you know, you have to get a lot of no's before you get a yes.
07:58And it's, you know, that's what, I guess, separates a working artist and a non-working artist is that someone just keeps pushing through.
08:10Because they went through the same things.
08:12And I feel like for women, you know, if they have morals, if they have certain things that they don't want to do, I stick by it.
08:21You know, you're going to find someone who respects it.
08:23And especially for women of color, Black women, Latino women, like, it's so hard to be boxed into these stereotypes and characters that are already played and dehumanizes us.
08:37And so I say be strong in your convictions and stay consistent.
08:42Right. And so, you know, you've been able to work with a lot of, like, powerful women in the industry and be around, you know, just a lot of women empowerment.
08:51Could you share, like, any advice that they've given you that you're like, okay, that is just going to stick with me forever?
08:57I will say one that's really sticking with me right now is talent is spelled W-O-R-K.
09:03Hmm.
09:05And I love that.
09:06I think there's so many people who are talented right now, but are you putting in the work?
09:11Like, right.
09:12Are you doing what you need to do to get there?
09:15It can only take you so far.
09:17So that's such a great reminder to me.
09:20Ooh, I love that.
09:21I'm going to write that down myself.
09:23Yeah, that's a gem.
09:25I love that.
09:25I love that.
09:26And so, like, just, you know, seeing where the industry is going, you know, with diversity and inclusion just happening all around in entertainment,
09:34what do you want more for the next generation that wants to pursue arts and music and, you know, just overall the entertainment industry?
09:43I want to see more women superheroes.
09:45I want to see more Afro Latinos represented because, you know, most Latinos represented are white passing or indigenous Spanish mixed.
09:58And people don't even know there's Black Latinos out there.
10:04I think just more inclusion overall.
10:07More stories for us, told by us, written by us.
10:11I mean, we're heading in a good direction, but we have a lot more work to do.
10:18But I think just inclusion, whether it be, you know, LGBTQ community or disabled community, like whatever it may be, I think we shouldn't pick and choose which stories matter the most and which stories we should.
10:33I think all stories matter.
10:34And I think it's beautiful because it lends us this type of humanness and perspective to extend empathy to people we do not know.
10:45Right.
10:46For sure, for sure.
10:47Well, thank you so much, Jazlyn.
10:49And to close out, I would love to just know if you could, you know, put a title to the theme of your 2023, what would that be?
10:57Oh.
10:59Keep shining.
11:01I love that.
11:03Okay, period.
11:04Come on.
11:05You're dropping gems.
11:06I live.
11:06I live.
11:07I love it.
11:07I love it.
11:08Well, thank you so, so much, Jazlyn, for taking the time to speak with me.
11:12Really, really happy for you.
11:14Really excited to see what you have in store.
11:16And we will definitely be peeping, you know, for that music because I'm excited.
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