The Disney Channel kid, Skai Jackson, is known for playing the sassy and talkative Zuri Ross in Jessie or for being a semi-finalist on Dancing with the Stars. The actress has also appeared in several films and shows, including The Smurfs and Sheroes. But apart from her work, she is also known for her kindness, humility, and strong values and qualities, which she often credits to her mother. 

While Jackson frequently speaks about her mother’s constant support throughout her life, there is still much to learn about her parents.

Skai Jackson was born to Jacob Jackson and Kiya Cole in 2002. She was very young when her parents separated, and since then, she has been raised by Cole as a single mother. Although not much is known about her father, the actress once shared a photo with him in June 2020 for Father’s Day. 

As for her mother, Cole raised her primarily between New York and Los Angeles to support her career. She initially worked at a post office but later left her job to support Skai as she began to receive more opportunities. Cole began by sending Jackson’s photos to agencies when she was just nine months old and eventually went on to manage her career, helping her land several commercials for brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. 

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Cole has been a strong support system for Jackson, who recently attended Michael's premiere, both in shaping her career and keeping her grounded, as both mother and daughter have shared in interviews.

While working in the entertainment industry at a young age can impact one’s childhood, Kiya Cole has said that she worked hard to avoid it happening to her daughter, Skai Jackson. She ensured Jackson enjoyed her childhood, enrolling her in ballet classes and allowing her to enjoy normal childhood experiences like sleepovers with friends. As she told Premiere in 2014, one of her most important pieces of advice for her daughter was to stay grounded. 

“It comes from the parents I think to keep them grounded and that’s what I’ve always tried to do with her,” Cole said.

Apart from that, Cole also encouraged Jackson to stand up for herself. In an interview with Good Morning America in 2019, Jackson shared how her mother helped her to be confident after facing bullying at school and on social media. She remained a strong source of support, guiding her through those difficult times.

The two have also appeared together on screen, including a mother-daughter appearance on the reality game show Family Feud in 2019. They were also featured as cover stars in Parenting magazine and have often hosted virtual talent shows during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Skai Jackson and her mother, Kiya Cole, have consistently been each other’s strongest support systems, which makes their relationship even more heartfelt and inspiring.

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Did you know about Kiya Cole's role in Skai Jackson's life? Let us know in the comments.