JAZLYN MARTIN WANTS WOMEN TO KNOW THEY ARE ENOUGH AS IS
Being a triple threat isn’t easy, but actress, singer and dancer Jazlyn Martin does it all with ease. You may recognize her from Peacock’s Bel-Air as Jackie, or from her rising music career, but she has so much more to her than meets the eye. I caught up with Jazlyn to talk about season 3 of Bel-Air, being an LA native and everything in between. Keep reading below to get the 411 on all things Jazlyn Martin!
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
What are some of your fondest memories from growing up in LA?
Honestly, there’s so many to account for. I’d probably say my childhood home holds a lot of beautiful memories, driving through the hills, playing marco polo in the pool, picking lemons from our lemon tree, walking my first dog around the neighborhood, taking in the view of the mountains, and walking home from school with my brother.
How did you start dancing? What was most challenging about becoming a skilled and trained classical dancer?
My parents always joked that I “could dance before I walked,” and placed me in dance classes at a very young age. The most challenging aspect about becoming a trained classical dancer is the discipline and patience you need to have to continue. Classical dance is not for the weak, you might have to train your body in ways that may not be natural to it initially, and a big part for me was to stop making excuses as to why I couldn’t do it, my feet were flat, I didn’t have a natural turnout, etc. Just go work hard and be great at it!
When did you decide you wanted to get into acting?
Acting came very naturally, because I was already so invested into dancing and singing, I felt like acting was the missing piece. And because both intertwine with acting so heavily, I wanted to unleash my full capacity as an artist. I was very energetic and loved playing pretend as a child, and so I naturally gravitated to acting. I always played with the idea of acting but only started taking acting seriously just a few years ago.
Talk to us about your role as Jackie on the Peacock series “Bel-Air”. How did you prepare for this role and what has your experience been like being a part of this show?
I really allowed myself to be immersed into Jackie’s world, meaning I wanted to make that world very specific and authentic, so I created the house I grew up in, the day my parents left, growing up in South Central, how I fell in love with dance, etc.
I wanted to prepare from a human perspective rather than from an actress perspective. To allow myself to play freely but also truthfully in this world. Being a part of this show has been one of the biggest blessings, I’m allowed to expand my empathy and share stories that might help people heal while doing it on such an iconic show.
What can viewers expect from your character in the upcoming new season?
Jackie this season is looking for belonging and community and it may not come out in the healthiest of ways. I think it’s very easy to rule someone out and cast your judgements, but I think Jackie is an openly wounded person and needs some grace. She is definitely heating things up and gets a little messy, but she always stands on business.
Aside from acting and dancing you’re also a singer. How are you able to balance having so many talents and passions?
What a great question! I don’t really know; I’m still trying to figure that out. When you love something so much you want to pour everything you have into it and be consumed by it, and sometimes I don’t have the room to balance all of them. That will always be a task for me and something I may not master and that’s okay. I try my best to nurture all of them equally, but I will fall short at times.
Let’s talk about your new single “They Say”. What was the inspiration for this song and how did you create the concept of the accompanying visual?
“They Say” is a rebellious song born out the frustration with societal pressures on women to conform in order to be loved and wanted. We hear so many of the bad bitch anthems, and so I wanted to create a song for the women who don’t resonate with that.
Let me be clear that there is nothing wrong with the “bad bitch” lifestyle, but I want to resist the notion that every woman must embody that persona to be valued. How I am is enough as is, and I want other women to feel that as well.
How does “They Say” differ from your other single “Perfect”?
“Perfect” was sort of a confession to the things people hide and needing to maintain this image. Perfect addresses the burden of being idolized and the fall from those unrealistic expectations. To always be perfect is not human, and to ask that of someone robs them the experience to be human, which is to fail and fall and be imperfect.
Perfect exemplifies the dichotomy of being human. One day you feel like you can take over the world and one day you just want to stay in bed. We demonize so much of the human experience, and I wanted to challenge people to allow others the grace and room to fall without judgment.
How long have you had a plant-based diet? What are some of your go to plant-based meals?
It will be 7 years in October and I did so because I believe life is more important than taste. Some go to meals are white rice, black beans, sautéed veggies, impossible meat and plantains, and you can never go wrong with pasta.
What are a few items that are always in your purse?
Chapstick, always. And my hydro flask. Pretty simple.
When you’re not working, what are you doing for fun in Cali?
I feel like I’ve been working a lot so when I do get time I spend it with my family but I do love to travel, I just went to a few of California’s national parks and parts of Asia. I like to hike, eat, go salsa dancing, work out, read, but my favorite is taking myself to the movie theaters.
You recently released your newest project “Identity Crisis” which features 7 songs. Talk to us about the inspiration behind this project and your current favorite song on this EP.
Besides new music, what else do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
Honestly, whatever God has in store for me. I’d like to say rest but when inspiration hits, you have to run with it.
Don’t forget to watch Jazlyn on Bel Air in the Excellence! Collection on Peacock!
