Skai Jackson

Introduction to Skai Jackson: From Child Star to Empowered Advocate​

Early Life and Cultural Heritage

Skai Syed Jackson was born on April 8, 2002, in Staten Island, New York. She is of Afro-Honduran and African-American descent. Raised primarily by her mother, Kiya Cole, after her parents' divorce, Skai's early exposure to the entertainment industry began with modeling and national commercials, including campaigns for Band-Aid, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Old Navy. Her mother played a significant role in managing and supporting her burgeoning career, even resigning from her job to be present at every step .​

Breakthrough with Disney Channel

Skai's acting career commenced with her role as Destiny in the 2007 independent film "Liberty Kid." She gained widespread recognition portraying Zuri Ross in Disney Channel's "Jessie" (2011–2015) and its spin-off "Bunk'd" (2015–2018). Her performance earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination and a place on Time magazine's list of "Most Influential Teens" in 2016 .​

Diversifying Her Career

Beyond Disney, Skai expanded her repertoire with voice roles in the "Marvel Rising" franchise (2018–2019) and "DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders" (2019–2022). In 2019, she appeared in Lil Nas X's "Panini" music video, which went viral. That same year, she authored her debut book, "Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback," sharing personal experiences and advocating for self-empowerment .​

Recent Endeavors and Personal Milestones

In 2020, Skai competed in the 29th season of "Dancing with the Stars," reaching the semi-finals. She continued her acting career with roles in films like "Sheroes" (2023) and "The Man in the White Van" (2024). In January 2025, she welcomed her first child, a son named Kasai .​

Advocacy and Public Image

Skai is an outspoken advocate against cyberbullying and uses her platform to promote mental health awareness. She has openly discussed her experiences with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aiming to destigmatize the condition . Her candidness and resilience have solidified her status as a role model for young audiences.​