Representation matters more than ever in Hollywood. For Jazlyn Martin, the actress playing Jackie on “Bel-Air”, her Afro-Latina identity is an integral part of both her personal and professional journey. As she navigates her role on the hit Peacock series, Martin brings an authentic, nuanced portrayal to the screen. Her character, Jackie, who is deeply rooted in the Los Angeles landscape, offers a perspective that resonates with many Black and brown girls; those often caught between identities, just like Martin herself.
Jazlyn’s role as Jackie in “Bel-Air” allows her to explore a side of the character that wasn’t fully developed in the original “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” While talking with 21Ninety, Martin reflected on the complexity of playing Jackie, a girl from L.A. with a tough upbringing.
“In the first “Fresh Prince,” we didn’t see much of this character,” Martin said. “So now we’re seeing a real fleshed-out version of Jackie who has emotions and feelings… and I think a lot of Black and brown girls can relate to her.”
This relatability is something Martin cherishes, as she knows how significant it is to feel seen, particularly for those with Afro-Latina identities.
Martin Embracing Afro-Latinidad: A Battle and a Blessing
For Martin, growing up as an Afro-Latina came with its own set of struggles, especially in a world that often wants to box people into a single category.
“For a long time, I was always cast as the Black girl because people didn’t see me as Latina,” Martin explained.
With her curly hair and darker skin tone, she was often overlooked for Latina roles, reflecting a larger issue of colorism and anti-blackness in the Latino community.
“People cast Latinas very specifically; light-skinned, straight hair,” she shared. “That kind of reaffirmed the idea that Latinos do have a lot of anti-Blackness within the community.”
These experiences led Martin to feel like she had to choose between her identities.
“In order to embrace my Latina side, I had to kill off the little Black girl in me,” she shared. “And in order to embrace the Black girl in me, I had to kill off the Latina girl in me.”
For years, this internal conflict made it difficult for her to feel fully comfortable in either space.
“It’s been a battle in my mind,” she added, explaining the pressure to be “Black enough” or “Mexican enough” in the eyes of others.
However, despite these challenges, Martin has found strength in both aspects of her identity.
“I still want to embrace and fall in love with both communities and both cultures,” she said. “It’s just hard to navigate when the world’s telling you you can only be one.”
This push and pull between two cultures is not uncommon for Afro-Latinas, and Martin’s openness about her struggles brings much-needed visibility to a group that is often underrepresented on-screen.
Finding Joy in Dual Identities
While navigating the difficulties of being Afro-Latina, Martin finds immense pride in both her Black and Latina roots.
“There’s just so much joy in both communities,” she said.
Despite the struggles that both groups continue to face, Martin finds solace in the shared resilience and strength.
“Black joy and Latina joy is just a joy that can’t be beat or bought,” she expressed.
Whether it’s through food, music, or dance, she celebrates the richness of her dual heritage.
“I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Martin proudly stated. “It’s a blessing to be of both cultures and to have both cultures poured into me.”
For Martin, this deep connection to both communities is an endless source of joy and pride. She recognizes that her ability to embody both her Black and Latina roots is what makes her unique, both on and off the screen.
“Being Afro-Latina means being proud in both identities,” she declared.
Looking Ahead
As fans eagerly await the next season of “Bel-Air”, Martin is working on new music that continues to explore themes of identity and self-discovery. Her upcoming EP, “Identity Crisis”, draws directly from her personal experiences of being mixed-race.
“I think everyone has gone through an identity crisis, or will go through one,” she shared.
Through her music, Martin hopes to connect with listeners by portraying the messiness and beauty of figuring out who you are. Each song on her EP represents a different story, a different conflict with identity, and she hopes it will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their place in the world.
Martin continues to blaze a trail for Afro-Latinas everywhere, bringing her full self to her art and showing the world that you don’t have to choose between who you are. She makes it clear that you can be proud of all of it.
“I’m the best of both worlds. Sorry, not sorry about it,” she said.