[NYOTA Magazine ]
star power
starring
Talia Jackson Volume 10
HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, Talia Jackson graces the cover. Seeing as it is Black history month I wanted to make sure we highlighted a Black actor or actress on the cover and I think Talia is a perfect choice. Talia is truly a star on the rise. After auditioning for ten years she has found her dream role on Netflix's, "Family Reunion" and she will be starring alongside Tia Mowry and Loretta Devine. After reading Talia's interview I'm sure you will be inspired to never quit and to always go after your dreams!
YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF, NYOTA MAGAZINE @_CAROL_WRIGHT
1
Photo by Amanda Molloy
contents 1. Editor's Letter
3. Get To Know Talia
4. Talia's Playlist
5. #StarPower: Talia Jackson
8. Talia's Top Picks
#StarPower
Get to know Talia I'm a huge Sims enthusiast.
Loves Tootsie rolls’.
Loves everything Dachshund and has one.
I eat all gluten and dairy free.
I want to buy my first home in Wisconsin.
3
#NyotaMusic
Talia's Playlist Ebon Lurks//Jackpot Khalid//OTW Miley Cyrus & Mark Ronson//Nothing Breaks Like a Heart A Boogie wit da Hoodie//Startender Normani & 6LACK//Waves Aminé//Hero Amir Obé//Cigarettes Bryson Tiller//Self-Made Chrishan//Sin City Laundry Day//Sunny Boys Lament
4
#StarPower
Talia Jackson Interview by Carol Wright | Photos by Lee Clower
Makeup by Azra Red | Hair by Naomi Pajon | Styling by Kelly Jackson
#StarPower
What do you love most about acting? I have loved acting and singing since I could walk and talk. My stuffed animals and my family used to be my audience. I used to love to put on shows for them. But now I get to play a character and the world is my audience. It's such an incredible blessing. I love being able to play a character like Jade, that definitely can hold her own but also can be vulnerable to the things that teens deal with on a daily basis like body image and skin color.
What was your favorite part about working on Netflix’s “Family Reunion�? Gosh, I love everything about working on Netflix's Family Reunion. It's hard to pick a favorite. I love that it's an all-black cast and writers room and that I get to work with some of the biggest iconic legends of black comedy. I love that the show touches on real life issues that are very authentic to what we deal with in daily life. I love working for the Netflix studio which is a dream studio for an actor. There is just something very special about this show both in front and behind the scenes which all starts with the creator of the show Meg DeLoatch. She has assembled a beautiful cast and crew.
Can you relate to your character Jade? Yes, I relate to the character Jade a lot. Jade deals with many of the same issues I deal with in real life. I am so excited for the world to see this character and I hope that many young girls can relate to her also and enjoy watching her navigate those issues.
Did Tia Mowry or Loretta Devine ever give you advice on set?
"I love being able to play a character like Jade, that definitely can hold her own but also can be vulnerable to the things that teens deal with on a daily basis like body image and skin color."
They didn't give me advice but I have learned so much from just watching them and doing scenes with them. I feel so blessed to have such amazing mentors/legends playing my family in this show. I know it will carry me for a lifetime in my acting career the lessons that I am learning from them.
6
#StarPower
“Family Reunion” is unique in the sense that each person in the writers room is Black. How do you think that affected the overall show? Did it always feel very comfortable on set? Well, I think it's amazing that it's an all-Black writing staff and within that staff, it's very diverse which is also important. People of all ages and backgrounds are in the writing room and they never shy away from real issues that we deal with in our community. These writers get it and they are writing what is authentic to me. They get me.
Throughout working on the show did you find yourself appreciating your own family more? You know it did. I think it made me appreciate my grandmother more. Loretta's character M'Dear reminds me a lot of my grandmother and her upbringing. It has helped me to see things through her eyes that I normally didn't see.
The show “Raised by Wolves” was also centered around family. Do you find yourself being drawn to shows where love and family are at the center? I have had a long journey to get to this role. I have been auditioning for 10 years and this is the first role that I ever really booked. I did book the role of Dusty on ABC's Raised by Wolves pilot but it didn't get picked up. So this is my first role that people will actually get to see me in. Since my journey was so long, it made me extremely appreciative of the many people who helped give me this opportunity to play the role of Jade. The day my manager and agent called me to tell me I booked the role, I think I sobbed for 3 minutes straight and I might have caused a few tears from my team. It was just so hard to believe that it had finally happened. But it showed me to never give up on your dreams and to value hard work and persistence in your goals. I almost gave up a few months before this happened but thanks to my mom, I got back out there auditioning and I booked my dream role.
7
You’re also a singer. Do you hope to incorporate singing into your acting roles? Yes, I have done some singing and it was always something that came naturally to me. Acting has always been my first love but singing brings me a lot of joy. So now that I have accomplished my first goal, I would love to accomplish my second goal which would be to release some of my own original songs. It's important to me to write my own songs because there is healing that comes from it for me. I am currently working with a music producer and I'm excited to let everyone hear them in the coming months.
Watch Talia's cover of Daniel Caesars' 'Best Part' below https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCofvcolG3RqHh BzLwmzx_vA?app=desktop
What do you do in your free time? In my free time, I enjoy finding new restaurants with my family, baking, Korean Day Spas, horseback riding, walking my dogs, and volunteering at animal rescues. I used to have a horse and I am enjoying looking for a new horse to buy. I love spending time with good friends that are a positive influence in my life when I'm not working. I have such a great group of friends that support each other.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors? My advice for aspiring actors is to first get referrals and get with a good acting coach from the beginning. It's important to take good, solid acting classes that ground your acting. Personally, I don't like taking the classes that are a lot of hype. I like coaches under the radar that are solid. It can make a big difference. Also, be very smart about who you choose for your team of agents, and managers. Good people that have proven success and integrity. I love my team but it took some mistakes to get to this team. Lastly, understand that the career has many ups and downs. Be willing to persevere and put in the hard work and stay the course for YOUR dream. We are all rooting for you!
#StarPower
Talia's Top Picks
Movie(s): Call Me By Your Name & The Tribes of Palos Verdes
Book: Sisters of Blood and Spirit
TV Show: American Horror Story
Fashion Trend(s): Annakiki dresses, Etienne Marcel red zipper jeans and jumpsuits & Balenciaga Speed Trainers
8
#QuickChat
Liberté an all new niche and curve size lingerie brand, created by veteran model Amber Tolliver. To commence the launch of Liberte.co a pop up shop is open in SoHo, New York and will be open to the public throughout the month. Join us for an interactive experience to discover Liberté’s collection of luxury lingerie that champions self-love. Come in to meet our founder and get a personalized bra fitting. This is not your average bra shop. Step into our curated space, designed with an aura of tranquility to feel like your home away from home. Adorned with crystals and mirrors throughout the space which feature positive affirmations to remind you to own your power and embrace yourself as you are. Only body positive vibes here. Sit at a vanity table lined with books by female authors, and put your pen to the page at the Love Letter Station. You can dedicate a note to yourself or the most inspirational woman in your life, and Liberté will mail your letter at the end of the month. In an oversaturated digital world of filters and facades, we invite women to take it all off and try on a beautiful set of lingerie that fits like it was made for them. For the entire month of February, visit our pop up in collaboration with Naked Cashmere open daily from 11am to 7pm located on 224 Mulberry Street.
A quarterly series discussing serious topics over brunch In August, NYOTA Magazine partnered with The House of Flair to launch a brunch series that bridged the gap between generations with topics such as business, mental health, networking and so much more. If you would like to be a part of our series, follow @nyotamagazine on all platforms to stay up to date.
19
www.houseofflair.co
NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CAROL WRIGHT
PUBLISHING WWW.ISSUU.COM/NYOTAMAGAZINE
ISSUU
CAROL WRIGHT
PRINT COVER ACTRESS
Talia Jackson @officialtaliajackson
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER
Lee Clower
MAKEUP ARTIST
Azra Red
HAIR
Naomi Pajon
STYLING
Kelly Jackson
ADVERTISMENTS WWW.THELIFESTYLETREND.COM WWW.THEHOUSEOFFLAIR.CO
HTTPS://WWW.LIBERTE.CO/
WWW.BLURB.COM/NYOTAMAGAZINE
BLURB
Subscribe Nyota Magazine Music | Fashion | Culture
www.issuu.com/nyotamagazine
NYOTA Magazine