JAYLEN BARRON IS SHAYANNA ON AMERICAN SPORTS STORY: AARON HERNANDEZ
Actress Jaylen Barron‘s career has transcended over the past few years and her new role as Shayanna on FX’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. Jaylen shows us an indepth look into the fiancé and mother to Aaron Hernandez’ child and we got a chance to learn all about her new role, life in LA and much more!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What was it like growing up in California?
Growing up in California was really normal. I was born in West Covina and then moved to the Inland Empire, so it was really just a family community. The weather in California is obviously amazing, but where I grew up is the literal desert so sometimes it was just a little bit too warm, but overall I wouldn’t change it for anything.
What do you love most about your African American and Latina heritage?
I love that I have the best of both worlds when Thanksgiving and Christmas comes around. We have so many different people in my family that everyone brings a bit of the culture with them. We have my grandma’s pozole during Thanksgiving, and I’m the one who’s in charge of the greens. We really have everything so to be able to experience two cultures is what makes my life feel so special. I have a unique understanding of two different personalities, I’m like a little chameleon.
You were on the hit tv show “Shameless” as Dominique. Take us back to this time in your career and talk about a few things you learned from this project.
Shameless was such a fun chapter because I’ve never worked on a project like that. I would like to think my character is a little iconic thanks to the whole “White boy Carl” moment! I had no idea the kind of impact it would have on my career at the time but I’m still so grateful.
To this day, people recognize me from Shameless and I love it. Everybody was so talented and fun to work with, and of course the material I was doing was fun. I loved it. I wish I could have soaked it up more in the moment, but I’m happy that part of my life taught me how impactful one character could be so give your all to it…no matter how “small” you think your scene is.
You’re on the new FX series “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez”. Talk to us about your character Shayanna and what we can expect from this show.
You can expect to be taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, Shayanna’s character development really comes into play starting in episode 4. We are able to see the emotional turmoil she’s dealing with during this tragedy and that’s a new perspective for the audience that hasn’t been seen before.
There was so much judgment in real life toward Shayanna during this time that perhaps it will provide new insight on why she felt like she had to make certain choices that others may not agree with. It’s so easy to judge people when you aren’t in their situation.
What’s your dream acting role?
My dream acting role would definitely have to be a Kill Bill or Mr. And Mrs. Smith type of film! I love those movies and to be a really cool hot secret agent, martial artist baddie is at the top of my list. I want to feel empowered in my masculine energy and make the people weak with my black catness! Doesn’t that sound so fun? To literally fight 10 men in the room, reapply my Fenty lip-gloss in the mirror with a single curl hanging in my face and a little smirk like “I did that,” and then steal 10 million dollars. Please…I’m made for it!
Where are some of your favorite places to travel to on vacation?
I love an island vibe. I’m such a water girl that you can drop me off anywhere tropical with 10 bikinis and pick me up in a week. I just went to Turks and Caicos this past summer and next on my list is either Brazil or Thailand. I haven’t decided where yet but either way, as long as there are some water activities, I’m there!
You recently celebrated your 27th birthday, how did you celebrate it?
My 27th birthday was spent in Turks and Caicos with my best friend Coco! We went in a group, and I couldn’t have asked for a more fun time. All I did was eat delicious food, go swimming, and have freshly made cocktails on hand. I wish I could go back.
The best part of it was discovering that I don’t need to be in control of every aspect of my life. Even for my birthday, I just let things flow and happen and ended up having the best time of my life. It was a bit different for me because I just got out of a relationship and it’s the first birthday I spent without that person in the last five years.
Realistically it was hard, and I had a few tough moments, but luckily my people were there to lift me up and remind me who I am. They also reminded me that l was in Turks and Caicos so why was I crying over someone who doesn’t want me? I love my ladies!
How would you describe your fashion style?
Describing my style is so tricky for me because I change every single day. I love dressing for my environment, but I guess at the heart of it, I always have a kind of 90’s aesthetic to it. Whether it be my hairstyle, my makeup, or just the entire look.
Depending on my mood I can go from a hip-hop street fashion with some baggy pants and timbs, to sleek 1999 Tyra Banks street fashion with an all-black mini dress and some flats. I like to think of it day to day as a character and ask myself “Who do I want to be today?”
Outside of acting, what do you do for fun?
Let me tell you about my perfect day. This is truly how I unwind and what I do for fun. First of all, I wake up and make myself a little chorizo breakfast burrito…I love cooking so this is an unwinding process for me! We got one egg, potatoes, cheddar cheese, chorizo, and some salsa verde.
I then get myself together, put on a little makeup, do my hair, and go to Target. I get my Starbucks drink, of course it’s an iced oat milk matcha latte with two pumps of vanilla. Then I get a basket and ask myself: do I really need anything? The answer is no but I’m still getting that basket.
I walk around slowly through each aisle picking up a few new things I like and sipping my latte. By the time I leave Target I probably have some new bubble bath stuff, a candle, and a little container I don’t need but who cares because it’s fun!
Once I’m done, I meet up with my girls to have a cute little appetizer and cocktail moment. Then I go home, take a pre-shower before my bubble bath, use my new products, and put on some Law and Order SVU while I’m in the bubble bath. After I get out, I eat some leftover breakfast burrito, then wrap the night up with a couple episodes of Insecure that I’ve already watched a million times. Those are things that are fun to me. It’s literally my perfect day, of course getting a workout in is also mandatory, but I just felt like you wanted the juicy stuff!
For anyone who’s never been to LA, where are a few places you would take them?
Where would I take someone who has never been to LA? I would say to Leimert Park, I feel like this is the real LA. There are so many beautiful black-owned businesses there, it’s artsy and really shows the soul of what Los Angeles is….not all the fake stuff. Real people, real businesses, and good food. Now, where I would take you to eat is Dulan’s On Crenshaw, that place is the one not the two! Then after that you have to get some Mexican food. If we are really cool I have to take you to my grandma’s house, because I don’t go out to eat when it comes to Mexican food…we got it at the crib!
Walk us through your current skin care routine.
Right now, I’m currently obsessed with Tatcha and Urban Skin RX. I use the Urban Skin RX Facial Cleanser, Tatcha Rice Toner, and the Dewy Skin moisturizer. I’m also loving the Peach and Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum in combination with the IT Cosmetics Confidence In Your Beauty Sleep Serum! I finish all of that off with a little facial spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixr. It’s a long process but for sure worth it!
What do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
My plan for the rest of 2024 is just to do things I love with intention and a genuine heart. I’m no longer trying to race and control but just allow things to come to me and flow through me. My whole life I was always planning, and God would laugh, but I realized that he shut every single door and would provide an even better one for me.
It would be hard and trying at times, but I released all of that self-doubt and ego, and now my life feels softer. I want to be happy no matter where I’m at, and that’s all based on my perspective. I’m further along in my career than I have ever been, however relationship wise I’m “behind” everyone else it seems.
But the way I look at it now, timing is everything and right now it’s my time to enjoy Jaylen. And that’s enough. I love you all and I hope that you find love within yourselves, choose you, and the ones who want to choose you will follow. Life is more than people pleasing, don’t ever forget about yourself.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Photographer: Ben Cope (@ben_cope)
Hair Stylist: Larry Sims (@larryjarahsims)
Makeup Artist: Anton Khachaturian (@antonmakeup)
Wardrobe Stylist: Enrique Melendez (@mrenriquemelendez)
