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'Bel-Air' Actress Jazlyn Martin On Her Ongoing Identity Crisis And Its Influence On Her Creative Journey
Jazlyn Martin is a triple-threat performer known most for her role as Jackie on Peacock’sBel-Air. Her character’s fiery personality and questionable decisions have led to a few shocking moments in the series and quite a bit of convo on social media.
Now, I’ll be honest: as an avid TV-lover, I was well-prepared to hop on Zoom and jump into all the chatter around Bel-Air and her characters’ decisions. But after listening to her new EP Identity Crisis, I knew there was a lot more to talk about as well. During this exclusive conversation with xoNecole, Jazlyn Martin delved into the challenging journey she’s faced surrounding her identity, newfound fame, and family influence, and how it all plays a part in her art. Check it out!
xoNecole: So I know that your father is in the entertainment world, but when did you realize you shared the same passion?
Jazlyn Martin: I think it was very early on. I was a child who was full of attitude and fearlessness that would go after anything I wanted. I believe seeing my dad pursue music made me realize it was possible. I just had this hunger and fire, and my parents consciously fed and nurtured that - they are always all super supportive of whatever I do. So very, very early on, I was like, I'm meant to do this. And I just was like, I'm a star, and I know I'm a star.
xoN: Actually, let's talk about your family. What are some of your most important values, and how have your family and heritage played a part in shaping those values?
Jazlyn: I mean, my mom is like an angel; she's so graceful and kind, and I've had to work hard to get there. When I was young, I was very abrasive, headstrong, and stubborn. Whereas my mom gives an immense amount of grace in the way she carries herself. I had to learn that.
I think being strong is something I’ve always had. My parents always joke that they don't know where my personality came from. Because my dad is shy and timid and my mom is kind, and I'm a fireball. But my Dad always asked the important industry questions like, “Why do you want to do this?” And that instilled some purpose into me. It really carried me to keep going because it's so easy to be discouraged in this field, but that drive has helped me push through all of the challenges.
xoN: I bet. I have such a respect for actors and the way you all navigate the industry. Speaking of, let’s dig into “Bel-Air.” Were you a fan of the show? Did you have to go back and watch the episodes?
Jazlyn: So I actually did watch the show which is crazy because sometimes I don’t. I saw it was a reboot and was like, ‘Oh no, not another one.’ But I watched the first three episodes, realized how good it was, and ended up watching the whole season. I became a fan, and then a few months later, I booked the role!
I think the imagination is such a beautiful and powerful tool, and I feel like if you create something in your mind, it happens. It's a crazy thing, but I really just created Jackie's world - the house she grew up in, her parents leaving her, and everything. I created why she fell in love with dance. I really came at it from a human approach. If I see it, then the audience can see it.
xoN: Yeah, background plays into so much of how we deal with things, how we interact with people, and everything. And I feel like Jackie gets a lot of backlash. Like, we’ve all had a “Jackie Moment” to be real.
Jazlyn: She gets so much backlash! I just encourage people to give her grace and see the God in her because I do think she tells a lot of Black and brown girls' stories. People project on her, saying she’s too ratchet or hood, and I’m like does that mean she’s not loveable?
We have to be careful of what’s said and put out because Jackie has gone through things that I've never had to go through. The fact that she's alive and still highly functioning is a blessing. So what if she gets a little messy? I love her. Because she’s helped me extend empathy to people I don't necessarily want to or don't think deserve to have it. But she's 17, she's figuring it out, and she doesn't have parents. Like, that's such a huge factor.
"We have to be careful of what’s said and put out because Jackie has gone through things that I've never had to go through. The fact that she's alive and still highly functioning is a blessing. So what if she gets a little messy? I love her."
xoN: You mentioned how your character is viewed, which digs a bit into identity. So I want to talk a little bit about some of the emotional songs on your EP “Identity Crisis.” What inspired the track “Perfect?”
Jazlyn: When I was creating “Perfect,” I already had the EP title. So I kind of mapped out, like, the different conflicts I had in my head and categorized them into seven songs, and so one of my identity crises was being perfect. Because I feel like a lot of men tend to put women on pedestals. They're expected to be perfect - especially when you’re in the limelight. You know, you can't slip up. You can't say the wrong thing. Cancel culture is such a huge thing. And I just wanted to encourage people to give people grace to be themselves because that's not an easy thing to do.
I just wanted to take down this facade that I’m perfect because I never pretended to be. I never wanted to be. I think that's something people have placed on me, that I have it all figured out, I think I just carry it well, but that doesn't mean it's not heavy. I just wanted to be very vulnerable and honest. I think people think “perfect” is a compliment, but I think it's a cage because it doesn't allow room for error. It doesn't allow for you to be human and mess up and fail and take risks. So I just wanted to encourage grace.
xoN: Do you ever feel like you went through an identity crisis?
Jazlyn: I go through one constantly. Growing up, I didn't really have one. But I think as you get older and more aware and cognitive, you know how the world goes, and the world starts telling you who you are, instead of you deciding who you are. And I feel like being mixed played a big role in that, not feeling Black or Mexican enough. I wanted to belong to both worlds but didn’t so I was just “other.” That was an identity crisis in itself.
Also, being introduced to a level of fame has been interesting, too. I think we all go through identity crises all the time because we’re evolving and changing. It’s beautiful, but it’s also scary; you see yourself this one way, and then something happens, and there’s a shift. So yeah, I think it’s something we all go through but no one talks about.
"I think as you get older and more aware and cognitive, you know how the world goes, and the world starts telling you who you are, instead of you deciding who you are. And I feel like being mixed played a big role in that, not feeling Black or Mexican enough. I wanted to belong to both worlds but didn’t so I was just 'other.'"
xoN: I love that. And I know Hispanic Heritage Month is coming up, and you'll be speaking at the New York Latino Film Festival. Talk to me about what that moment means to you and what you hope to bring to the event. *Editor’s note: The interview was conducted before Hispanic Heritage Month began.
Jazlyn: I’m bringing some Afro-Latino-ness! I always grew up seeing Latinos being represented in a very specific way—very Spanish, not very Indigenous looking. So I'm really excited to bring the Black experience, with the Latino experience, to the stage because that's something a lot of people don't know exists.
People are always like, “Are you Black or Latina?” Well, I'm both! We were just dropped off in different parts. I’m excited to speak on that and highlight how prevalent anti-Blackness is within Latino communities. A lot of Afro-Latinos have faced an identity crisis because of it, including myself. It sometimes feels like you’re supposed to hate the other half of who you are.
For me, I held onto that little Black girl inside. I refused to let her go. And that’s what I want to represent when I speak—resilience and acceptance of our full selves. I’m also looking forward to meeting fellow Latino people, especially Afro-Latinos, and sharing our stories. It’s not a narrative that gets much attention, and I’m excited to represent.
xoN: I’m excited for you! Finally, with all the praise and recognition you’re receiving now, what has it been like to transition from working in music, dance, and acting to now being in the spotlight? How have you embraced this new level of fame?
Jazlyn: Um, it's overwhelming. I think that's the best word. Sometimes, I'm joyful, because I'm giving back to the community. People resonate with Jackie's stories and see themselves in her, which I think is the biggest compliment to me. But then sometimes, you know, I feel sad because I'm like, ‘Damn, I'm not doing enough,’ like I should be doing more. It's crazy, the industry is so fast-paced that you don't really try to celebrate wins. It's just a transition, an identity crisis of the like.
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Sometimes, relocation for a fresh start is the right move, especially when it comes to your career. Whether it's due to a pay raise, a promotion, better schools for your children, or a career change, moving for a job might be the best option. But there are times when relocating for a new job opportunity is simply a big mistake.
Many have decided against doing so, and in fact, during the first three months of last year, the rate of Americans moving for work fell to a record low of just 1.6%, according to executive outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Here are a few good reasons or scenarios where moving for a new job is just not a good idea:
1. You just bought a house and you're stuck in a mortgage.
Black women and millennials have been found to be "leaders" in homeownership in recent years, with homeownership among Black women seeing an average year-over-year growth rate of 10.4% between October 2018 and September 2021. As many as 800,000 fewer moves occurred last year, The New York Times reports, which is “a direct result of what economists call the ‘rate lock effect’ or the ‘golden handcuffs.'"
Families have postponed moving to larger homes, and households “hoping to trade up” have paused plans. And a lot of people have been “sitting on the sidelines, waiting and watching.”
If you're among those who have recently bought a home, it might be a better idea to simply find new work within your community or a neighboring community versus uprooting your family (and waiting on a very tricky real estate market for your home to sell). Another idea: Get a remote job.
On the other hand, if you're okay with renting your home out short-term via Airbnb or even long-term as an investment property while you solidify your new spot, and the new company is willing to cover your moving expenses, consider the relocation. There are several risks with this, but it's something to think about if you're a homeowner who's dead set on getting a fresh career start elsewhere.
2. Your expected quality of life and pay might shift in a way that's just not worth it, especially for an international move.
There's always a lot of banter about "elevating" your quality of life by working abroad, but there are several things to consider before doing that, especially when it comes to pay.
A Harvard Business Review survey found that MBA graduates, for example, who had moved internationally “once or twice after their MBAs” saw their pay increase less than graduates who stayed in the U.S. Researchers further stated that the findings “challenge the notion that broader international experience will automatically be rewarded with higher compensation.”
Also, a move abroad can mean giving up major things you care about to gain other things. Does working near a beach involve higher prices for everyday groceries you're accustomed to? What about easy access to Wifi, electricity, and water?
Will you be paying more compensation for infrastructure issues than you would if you've remained in the U.S.? What does a good quality of life really look like for you outside of work? What amenities and freedoms do you value, and how much do those things cost in comparison to what you're used to paying for them? If all of this will cost more than what it's worth, a move abroad to work might not be a good fit for you.
3. You work remote, so your location is already flexible.
If you're already working a good remote job, why relocate for a new gig? Experts say that remote jobs are “still plentiful for white-collar workers,” and if you're among those professionals, you already have a bit of a leg up when it comes to flexibility anyway. You can basically find another position, working fully remote, and you won't be locked into one location.
If you're looking for a more traditional way of working, where you're in an office, face-to-face with teammates, and going to happy hour after you clock out, moving for a new gig after remote work burnout sounds like a good idea. But if your issues are due to your remote job not paying enough or the type of remote work you're doing, it's a better idea to simply look for remote work at a different company, apply for different roles, or go freelance to allow yourself more creative authority.
4. The new company offers no financial assistance to move.
If 64% of professionals reported receiving compensation to move last year, trust me, there are companies that will cover some if not all of your expenses. Remember you're uprooting your life and that of your family members, so getting those expenses covered is a must. If you're already struggling financially (or a major move to another city, state, or country for work will cut into a huge chunk of your savings), reconsider a move if the company won't offer at least reimbursement for your moving fees.
Also, oftentimes, companies that don't offer such perks also skimp on prioritizing work-life balance, competitive healthcare benefits, and other basic amenities that should be afforded to quality talent such as yourself. Take the warning and look elsewhere.
Relocating for work can be a great experience and the best decision of your life, but if there are major red flags that are either telling you to stay where you are or, at the very least, postpone a move until your circumstances allow for it, it's best to take heed.
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