Skai Jackson is a 23-year-old actress, author, and social media personality who grew up in front of millions as Disney Channel’s Zuri Ross. Born on April 8, 2002, in Staten Island, New York, she’s built a career that stretches from child modeling to voice acting, writing, and advocacy. Her journey shows how she’s moved past the “Disney kid” label into a life that balances public work with personal growth and motherhood.
What sets Skai apart is her refusal to stay quiet on issues like bullying and racism. She’s used her platform—which includes around 22 million TikTok followers as of 2025, per Social Blade—to start real conversations. Her story isn’t just about fame; it’s about using visibility to help people and speak truth.
Skai Jackson Quick Bio Summary
| Category | Summary |
| Full Name | Skai Syed Jackson |
| Born | April 8, 2002 – Staten Island, New York |
| Age (2025) | 23 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Profession | Actress, author, voice artist, social media personality |
| Famous For | Zuri Ross on Jessie and Bunk’d |
| Notable Work | Marvel Rising, Dragons: Rescue Riders, Sheroes, Dancing with the Stars |
| Book | Reach for the Skai (2019) |
| Advocacy | Anti-bullying, racial justice, No Kid Hungry |
| Partner / Personal Life | Welcomed son Kasai in Jan 2025; not married |
| Net Worth (2025 est.) | $500,000 – $3 million |
| Social Media | ~22 million TikTok followers |
| Heritage | Afro-Honduran and African-American |
Early Life and Background
Skai Syed Jackson was born and raised in Staten Island by her mother, Kiya Cole, after her parents divorced. Her heritage is Afro-Honduran and African-American, identities she speaks about openly. As a very young child, she started modeling and appeared in commercials for major brands like Pepsi, Old Navy, and Band-Aid.
Her first acting role came in 2007 with the film Liberty Kid. That early exposure taught her how sets worked before she could fully read a script. Her mother managed her career closely, making sacrifices to help Skai break into Hollywood.
Growing up, Skai faced bullying in school for being “the shortest” and “smallest.” Her mom pushed her to stand up for herself, a lesson that shaped how she handles criticism today. That childhood resilience became the foundation for her anti-bullying work and her willingness to call out injustice online.
Skai Jackson Disney Channel Breakthrough
Skai Jackson landed the role of Zuri Ross on Disney Channel’s Jessie in 2011, a show about a nanny caring for four children in a New York penthouse. The series ran until 2015 and made her widely recognizable to young viewers. Her confident, funny character quickly became one of the standout roles on the network and helped her build an early, loyal audience.
When Jessie ended, Skai continued playing Zuri in the spin-off Bunk’d from 2015 to 2018. Her work on the show earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Youth Performance, a sign that people in the industry viewed her as a young actor with real talent. In 2016, Time Magazine also named her one of the Most Influential Teens.
Her Disney years gave her early visibility, steady work, and financial stability—key foundations for her future career. Instead of being limited to one role, she used that momentum to explore other parts of the entertainment industry, including brand partnerships, voice acting, and writing. Her early success set the stage for a career that continued well beyond her Disney Channel era.
Voice Acting and Film Work
Skai lent her voice to Marvel Rising as Glory Grant, appearing in Marvel Rising: Initiation and Chasing Ghosts. She also voiced Summer in DreamWorks’ Dragons: Rescue Riders on Netflix.
Her Marvel Rising voice work introduced her to a global audience beyond Disney Channel. Marvel projects often boost an actor’s visibility, and being part of the franchise showed casting directors she could successfully move into bigger, mainstream entertainment spaces.
On the film side, she appeared in Hallmark’s The Watsons Go to Birmingham and guest spots on shows like Royal Pains and Louie. Sheroes placed her in a more mature, action-focused role, helping her move beyond the Disney image. Many former child actors struggle to take on adult characters, but this film showed casting directors she was ready for more mature and diverse work.
Her voice work matters because it gave her steady income during gaps between live-action projects. Animation work often pays residuals and requires less time on set than traditional filming. This diversification helped her maintain earnings even when not appearing on screen.
Skai Jackson Dancing with the Stars and Reality TV
In 2020, Skai competed on Dancing with the Stars season 29 and made it to the semi-finals. The show introduced her to audiences who hadn’t watched Disney Channel. Dancing with the Stars introduced her to millions of viewers who never watched her Disney shows. Reality competitions often help young actors rebrand themselves, and for Skai, the show expanded her audience and showed producers she had broad mainstream appeal.
Her appearance came at a smart time in her career transition from teen roles to adult work. Reality competition shows often help former child stars reintroduce themselves to the public. The experience gave her visibility during a period when traditional acting roles for her age bracket were competitive.
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Skai Jackson Writing and Authorship
In 2019, Skai published her memoir Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback. The book explores her Hollywood rise, experiences with bullying, self-confidence, and mental health. Her stylist suggested she and her mother had an important story to tell.
She emphasized that her goal wasn’t just glamour: “it’s not just about putting on fancy clothes — you need to give back to your community, in a Rose and Ivy Journal interview.” The book combines personal stories with practical advice for young people facing similar challenges. It established her as more than an actress—she became an author with a message.
Her book also showed she was building multiple creative and income paths early in her career. Writing gave her a way to connect with fans directly and control her own narrative. It positioned her as someone with advice worth seeking, not just entertainment worth watching.
Advocacy and Social Justice Work
Skai has used her platform to call out racism, sharing screenshots of racist messages sent to her followers. In a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she explained: “People go through these struggles every day … for me, it’s kinda like my duty with the big platform that I have, to use it for good,” per Elite Daily. She’s careful about what she shares publicly, refusing to post private information like addresses.
Her anti-bullying work centers on what she calls a “classy clapback” method. In Teen Vogue, she outlined five steps: take ten deep breaths, get sassy without cursing, stick to facts, be concise, and walk away after posting. She also advocates strongly for No Kid Hungry, a campaign fighting childhood hunger, and has supported Red Nose Day.
Skai balances activism with clear boundaries—she exposes racism without doxxing people. Her approach recognizes that accountability doesn’t require putting anyone’s safety at risk. This measured response style has helped her maintain credibility while staying vocal on hard issues.
Skai Jackson Brand Partnerships and Business
In March 2024, Skai became a brand ambassador for Cantu Beauty, promoting their reformulated product line made with fair-trade organic shea butter. She told PR Newswire: “I am thrilled to partner with Cantu, a brand I’ve been using since I was a kid … advocating for products that celebrate authenticity is a dream come true.” She remembered seeing Cantu products as a little girl in beauty supply stores.
In 2023, she became the face of Cacharel’s “Yes I Am” fragrance line. She praised the brand’s commitment to empowering young women. In 2024, she recreated her childhood Band-Aid “Stuck On You” commercial for TikTok, calling it “a full-circle moment,” per Byrdie.
Her brand deals reflect smart positioning—she partners with companies aligned with her values. Cantu focuses on natural hair care for Black women, Band-Aid created bandages for different skin tones, and Cacharel emphasizes female empowerment. Choosing brands that match her values keeps her work authentic while supporting her income.
Skai Jackson Height, Age, and Physical Stats
Skai Jackson stands around 5 feet 2 inches tall, approximately 157 cm. She was born April 8, 2002, making her 23 years old as of November 2025. Her petite frame was something she faced bullying about as a child.
She has been open about her ADHD diagnosis and discusses it publicly to reduce stigma. She strongly identifies with her Afro-Honduran and African-American roots. Her physical appearance and heritage have become part of her advocacy for representation in entertainment and beauty industries.
Skai Jackson Relationship, Baby, and Personal Life
In November 2024, Skai confirmed she was expecting her first child, as reported by People Magazine with then-boyfriend Deondre Burgin. She told People: “I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects.” On January 26, 2025, she announced the birth of her son, whom she named Kasai.
In May 2025, she requested a restraining order involving Deondre Burgin, citing concerns for her safety. Details remain limited to public filings, and no additional legal updates have been released. As of mid-2025, she is not publicly married. At the 56th NAACP Image Awards, she spoke about balancing motherhood and work.
Her transition into motherhood at 23 shows how Gen Z celebrities navigate public and private life differently than past generations. She shared the news on her terms and has set clear boundaries about what she shows of her son. This balance between transparency and privacy reflects a more thoughtful approach to celebrity parenting.
Legal Challenges and Public Scrutiny
In August 2024, Skai was briefly detained at Universal Studios following a reported incident. Prosecutors later declined to file charges, and the case was closed. Afterward, she shared a general message on TikTok about independence and self-reliance.
In 2020, Skai requested a temporary restraining order against rapper Bhad Bhabie, which she later withdrew. No additional legal action was taken. Skai faced criticism online for charging $5 entries for a MacBook giveaway reported by New York Post. She clarified that the fundraiser was not about personal gain.
These moments show how closely young celebrities are watched online—every action becomes public fodder. What stands out is how she addresses controversies directly on social media rather than through publicists. Her unfiltered approach resonates with younger audiences but also means her mistakes stay visible.
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Net Worth and Earnings
Skai Jackson’s net worth is reported differently across outlets, Celebrity Net Worth placing it somewhere between $500,000 and a few million dollars as of 2025. These numbers are estimates because the exact figures are not publicly confirmed.
Her earnings come from several places, including Disney residuals, brand partnerships, TikTok and social media income, book royalties, and voice acting work. Because each of these pays differently and changes over time, her income can vary from year to year.
Most influencer and actor payments are private, which is why online estimates often show a range instead of a single number. Skai earns from several sources, giving her financial stability.
Skai Jackson Social Media Presence and Influence
Skai has around 22 million followers on TikTok with approximately 480 million likes. She’s active on Instagram and YouTube, though exact follower counts vary by source. Her social media presence is a major part of her income and influence.
She uses her platforms for both personal content and advocacy work. Her TikTok often features beauty content, personal updates, and responses to current events. She’s mastered the balance between relatable content and maintaining some privacy.
Her social media success shows she understood platform economics early. Many Disney stars struggled to build audiences outside their shows, but Skai grew her following independently. This self-built audience gives her leverage in negotiations with brands and studios.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Skai has long supported No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit fighting childhood hunger. She’s visited classrooms supported by the campaign and spoken about how meals impact children’s education. She often emphasizes that even small actions matter: “even if it’s a dollar donation or volunteering … anything you do really helps.”
She’s worked with Red Nose Day, which raises funds for children in poverty. She’s described being “all about kids and helping others” and loved participating in fundraising events. She also supports DoSomething.org and anti-bullying campaigns.
Her charitable work started young and has remained consistent throughout her career. She encourages her young fans to participate in causes without feeling overwhelmed. This message of accessible activism resonates with Gen Z audiences who want to make a difference but don’t know where to start.
Skai Jackson Current Life and Future Plans
After becoming a mother, Skai Jackson shared with E! News that she is enjoying balancing parenthood with work. She credits her mother, Kiya Cole, for teaching her both a strong work ethic and parenting guidance. As of late 2025, she continues to manage acting projects, social media, and brand partnerships while raising her son.
Skai has expressed interest in exploring new acting roles that let her grow beyond her Disney Channel image. She is also focused on fashion and beauty ventures, where she hopes to have creative control and build projects that reflect her personal style and values.
Today, Skai works across acting, social media, beauty, and brand partnerships. By diversifying her career, she continues to stay active in entertainment while balancing motherhood. This approach allows her to maintain steady work and pursue opportunities that align with her goals.
Legacy and Impact
Skai Jackson represents a generation of child stars who used social media to extend their careers beyond one show. Her willingness to discuss ADHD, racism, and bullying has made her relatable to millions. As a young Black woman of Afro-Honduran descent, she offers representation that matters to diverse audiences.
She’s shown that Disney Channel fame doesn’t have to end in obscurity or disaster. By diversifying income, staying authentic, and using her voice for causes she believes in, she’s built staying power. Her journey from child model to mom and advocate shows that celebrity can be a tool for good when used thoughtfully.
FAQ’s about Skai Jackson
How tall is Skai Jackson?
She’s approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall.
How old is Skai Jackson in 2025?
She’s 23 years old, born April 8, 2002.
What is Skai Jackson’s net worth?
Estimates range from $500,000 to $3 million as of 2025.
Does Skai Jackson have a baby?
Yes, she gave birth to her son Kasai in January 2025.
Is Skai Jackson married?
No, she is not publicly married as of mid-2025.
What role is Skai Jackson famous for?
She’s best known for playing Zuri Ross on Disney Channel’s Jessie and Bunk’d.
How many TikTok followers does Skai Jackson have?
She has around 22 million TikTok followers as of 2025.
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