Who Are Skai Jackson’s Parents? Meet the Momager Who Helped Jumpstart the Disney Star's Career

The Breakdown: Like many child actresses, Skai Jackson got her start on Disney Channel. But the young starlet has continued to flourish into adulthood, booking feature-length roles and brand deals. Behind her success is a mother who was determined to keep her grounded as her fame grew.

Skai Jackson was only five the first time she appeared on our TV screens. Sporting a pair of pigtails and a bandage wrapped around her index finger, she adorably sang about being “stuck on the Band-Aid” brand. But she had been working long before that.

Since signing with a model agency at nine months old, Jackson has been booked and busy. She rose to fame as Zuri on Disney Channel’s Jessie (2011) and Bunk’d (2015).

But child stars don’t make it on their own. It was Skai Jackson’s parents, particularly her mother, who guided her through her career. Here’s what we know about Jackson’s parents and siblings, plus a look at her own journey into motherhood.

In 2002, Jacob Jackson and Kiya Cole welcomed their adorable bundle of joy, Skai Jackson. The couple split a few years later. Though Jackson seems to have a positive relationship with her dad, her mother took the lead on parenting her and her two younger siblings, Nala and Aurora.

In fact, it was Cole who kick-started her daughter’s career. After being complimented on Jackson’s cuteness, Cole sent her baby’s headshots to two New York child modeling agencies. Two weeks later, Jackson was signed and began booking commercials and small TV roles.

At first, Cole hoped Jackson’s acting and modeling would at least help her pay for college. But it soon became clear that her daughter’s career would be bigger than that. Cole soon quit her post office job to become Jackson’s momager, rushing around New York City to auditions and go-sees.

Hollywood is a difficult place for children to grow up, and Cole was determined to keep her daughter grounded as she built her career. When Jackson landed her Disney role, Cole moved with her to LA and continued to carefully vet the opportunities— and challenges — that came their way.

That included the 2016 Twitter altercation between Jackson and controversy queen Azealia Banks when the Disney star was only 14. Cole recalls being upset about the exchange but supported her daughter in standing up for herself.

In an interview with People, Jackson gushed about her mother, “[My mom] always taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for what I believe in, and fight for what is right. I thank her for that, because without her, I probably wouldn’t have had a lot of the confidence that I do now.”

With her mother’s guidance and the confidence she nurtured, Jackson built a stellar career as a child actress. In addition to her time on Disney, she had a role in Smurfs (2011), penned an inspirational book for teens, and made TIME’s 30 Most Influential Teens list in 2016.

While Jackson’s career has certainly been the focus, her mother has often been by her side through many of her opportunities and endeavors. The pair posed together on the cover of Parenting Magazine when Jackson was little, and they shot another stunning cover together for Deeper Than Hair Magazine in 2024. They also appeared together on an episode of Family Feud and co-hosted a weekly Instagram Live talent show during the pandemic.

As a momager, Cole knew that Jackson eventually would be old enough to direct her own career, and she was determined to prepare her to thrive on her own. Jackson has done exactly that.

In 2023, she starred in the action film Sheroes and a mini-biopic of Keke Palmer’s life called Big Boss. That year, she also became the face of Cacharel’s fragrance line, Yes I Am. Most recently, she starred in The Man in the White Van (2024), a thriller loosely based on a true story about a serial killer.

In addition to booking roles and brand deals, Jackson has become a mother. In November 2024, she confirmed her pregnancy in an exclusive interview with People. She excitedly shared, “I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life – embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!”

Jackson gave birth to her son, Kasai, on January 25, 2025. Unfortunately, the joy of motherhood has been tainted by devastating domestic violence. In May 2025, Jackson filed a restraining order against her child’s father, Deondre Burgin, alleging that he broke her phone, demanded she drink bleach while pregnant, choked her, and threatened to stab her. She has since been granted a temporary restraining order.

Jackson has found her footing as she navigated the pressures of childhood fame, and she’s shown remarkable strength in how she’s handled the nightmare of domestic violence. With her mother — and her fans — in her corner, we’re sure Jackson will rise above the challenges and grace our screens with her light and talent again soon.