IN CONVERSATION WITH JAYLEN BARRON

interview JANA LETONJA

Actress Jaylen Barron will be starring in FX’s new limited series ‘American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez’, premiering on 17th September. The series will serve as the first installment in the ‘American Story’ media franchise. Jaylen is best known for her roles on Starz’s series ‘Blindspotting’ and Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning series ‘Free Rein’.

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trousers LE THANH HOA

Jaylen, we’ll be seeing you in FX’s new series American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, exploring the tumultuous life and legacy of NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez. How did you get cast on this series and what can we expect from it?

Like any audition that I receive, it came in as an email and it was called ‘Untitled Ryan Murphy Project’. Of course, as soon as I read his name I clicked on it, then I saw  ‘Story of Aaron Hernandez’ and was intrigued because I remember watching the docuseries. When I saw they requested that I read for Shayanna, I immediately looked up her interviews and social media. I was impressed by the way she carried herself with such grace, and I was just hoping that when I sent my self-tape in they would be able to pick up that aspect of my personality as well. 

You can expect to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions. This story touches on such sensitive topics and it may not be easy to digest, but it is part of the real world we live in. This story is not a fairytale but a lesson for those who were involved and those witnessing it unfold. But make no mistake, you will be satisfied with an impactful experience of seeing a real, raw and honest story unfold.

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cardigan BARSHAI
braces UNCUFFED LEATHER
shoes FRANCESCA BELLAVITA

In the series, you portray Shayanna Jenkins, Aaron’s fiance. What made you connect with your character the most, and how did you prepare to take on this role?

When I first saw Shayanna, I thought “Okay, we look similar so that’s good”. As I watched her interviews, I saw that she was guarded, but underneath I could tell she had so many different layers to her. When I would look up information on Aaron, I saw how silly and sweet he was and I thought to myself “Well, if he loved her the way he did, then she has to be able to handle his personality, his jokes, the goofiness, and the love”. That’s the biggest part of Shayanna that the world did not have the privilege to see, but it was what I related to the most and wanted to show in my performance. 

I really connected with her on loyalty to the ones she loves most, almost to a fault. Oftentimes when we love people unconditionally, we forget to hold them to an expectation, no matter how many times they hurt us or what they say in arguments. Being a woman, especially being raised in the environment I was in, we do whatever it takes for the people we love. We see the potential and can most definitely see the future for them, even if they don’t deserve it at times. I truly believe that’s who Shayanna was during this time of her life. I prepared for this role by looking at the mistakes I have made for men I have loved unconditionally, no longer judging myself for it, and forgiving that part of myself. This allowed me to approach playing Shayanna with empathy and make choices for this character that were true to what I feel she thought was the right way at the time. 

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heels MALONE SOULIERS

What did you learn about Aaron, the NFL, and also yourself through this series?

I learned that Aaron was not the person the media portrayed him to be. He was a man who wasn’t able to communicate what was going on in his head. Like many black and brown men in our communities, the resources and encouragement to express emotion is often shut down. And unfortunately, he didn’t get that chance. Aaron was more than a star athlete, he was a romantic fiancé , a silly brother and a loving father. I learned that the NFL is a well-oiled machine and did what they felt was right.

 This role has impacted me so deeply, I no longer look at others’ choices and pass judgment upon them because we have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Love comes in so many forms and it’s so easy to judge others’ love because we build this rule book on what it should look like, but it’s so many colors that it’s impossible to pin it down to one certain way. Just because someone’s love looks different than yours, it doesn’t mean it’s any less grand. I will carry this role with me forever because it taught me to let go of unhealthy habits and to see what the bigger picture is, despite other people’s opinions.

What did you personally and creatively enjoy the most about filming this limited series?

I loved how imperfect each of the characters are. These are real people with real problems, and as much as I’ve loved playing my previous characters, they were beautiful and perfect all the time. But Shayanna is real all the time, with real tears and problems. I enjoyed an aspect of acting that I don’t think I’ve gotten to experience before and that’s being able to not be so focused on if my hair and makeup is perfect, but instead on who is Shayanna for this specific scene. The show runner, Stu Zicherman, was so collaborative on choices that each of our characters have made. He was always checking in to make sure we felt comfortable, and that the story felt aligned with what we thought the characters choices would be, even down to what they would say. 

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hells Camilla Gabrieli

How did your career as an actress begin, and what sparked your interest in acting?

I always say that acting felt like it just happened to me. I was constantly performing in my school plays, I was on the dance team and was insanely jealous of the kids on Barney. I really felt like I could do that. I don’t know how, but I know I was meant to be famous. Of course, I didn’t know famous meant acting when I was a little girl. When I was 13, I ended up taking some headshots and meeting with agencies. I first signed to Osbrink and Discover Management. School was always first and then class two or three times a week. It would be these really intense Saturday classes that would last six hours. I always felt a bit out of place because the other kids had been acting since they were toddlers, but I didn’t let it get to me, I just knew I had to keep going. My first role was in a Bratz commercial and when I say I felt like I was on, honey you couldn’t tell me anything.

This journey of acting has been so trying, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I’ve learned new ways to love it over the years. It feels like an on and off again relationship. Like she gives me so much then disappears, and sometimes leaves me heartbroken, but I always know she is going to come back. My family was always watching movies together and I have to say my older sister has the best taste. She introduced me to so many great films and without her, I don’t think I would have an appreciation for cinema the way I do. She can name any actor, their birthday and when a film came out on the spot. It’s one of her many talents. I knew I wanted to act when my sister and I we were watching ‘Signs’. I saw what Abigail Breslin could do, and I thought about how great she was. Also, seeing Joaquin Phoenix in the scene where he is in the closet and was watching the tapes of the alien walking by at a little kid’s birthday party in Mexico, I remember giggling but equally being terrified because of the way he delivered his performance. I thought to myself “Well, I have to do this, I want to make people feel different things when watching me”. It’s like a little escape from reality. 

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Out of all the roles you’ve played so far, which one left the biggest impact on you, and how so?

 Honestly, the role of Shayanna has left the biggest mark on me. I used to judge actors for taking their work home with them because I had never played a character with many layers to them in this same way until Shayanna. It was so emotionally taxing that I didn’t realize how it started affecting my personal life. My relationship ended due to a certain stress of being away from home and the state of mind I had at the time, along with other things. But mainly, I just found myself more emotional and confused my feelings on set as the character versus how I felt in real life. It was an experience I would never want to take away from myself. As hard as it was, it has taught me so much about who I am, not only as a woman but as a potential partner to my future husband. What boundaries will I have? Where will I draw the line? I also learned a skill I’ve never had to practice before that I’m still practicing and that’s how to detach when I leave set. Finding new ways to relax my mind and recognize that I am not that person I am playing for 12 hours a day is hard, but I know I will get the hang of it. I also know that I have the support of those around me to get me through those tough call times and emotional scenes.  Again, I would never want this experience to be taken from me, it’s just another lesson I’m learning. I’m only 27 and just starting my career. I’m excited for what’s to come.

Your first leading role was in the Emmy Award-winning series Free Rein, where you became the first American person of color to play a lead in a Netflix children’s series. What does this achievement mean to you?

 Being the first black girl to have a lead role on Netflix felt like I had the world in my hands. I just really wanted people to know that nothing is impossible, and despite what it may look like, nothing is easy. It makes me so happy to be able to see girls that look like me get inspired to try something different. Of course I have a certain privilege being light-skinned, however I wanted the world to know that I see darker-skinned women and their struggles. I hope that they know the accomplishment I achieved has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with them and the path they have paved for us to even be able to be on television. Every day I am fighting to make space for them. 

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What kind of roles and projects are you most looking forward to portraying next?

I really want to give ‘Kill Bill’ vibes. Being some kind of secret agent with some cool combat moves is definitely where I want to be next, like ‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith’. Some kind of fun action movie with a dash of romance is calling my name.

 
When you’re not on set, what are the things you enjoy the most in your free time?

I love being with my girls. Literally, life is worth living again after a night out with them. They bring me such joy and are always reminding me how fine I am. Bubble baths are a big part of my winding down routine, I have certain candles, music, lighting and bubbles depending on what vibe I want. I’m constantly romanticizing my life, so my bubble bath set up is actually insane. I want to start a line of bath products because I just feel like I know what people want. I love cooking for my family and friends. Whenever I’m stressed, I make soup. It’s very Hispanic of me, but when I say a good sopa fideo cures all, it’s the truth. I’m finding this new part of myself that I didn’t know I had in me before, I’m starting to like new things and forcing myself to have a routine. I just love everything right now. Everything in my life is romantic and hot, so that’s cool. I feel like I’m rambling, but I wanted this interview to feel personal and I hope you all were able to enjoy a more real Jaylen, because the truth is I feel like I’m just enjoying everything right now.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent JAYLEN BARRON
photography ABI POLINSKY
styling GEORGIE STUART
make-up BRANDY ALLEN
hair TIFFANY DAUGHERTY
photography assistants VICTOR ISAAC ALVAREZ & MAGDA GAMREKLIDZE
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA