This South Side Chicago native is sharing her narrative to bring the truth of what it means to be Transgendered to television. A star on Lena Waithe’s The Chi, Jasmine Davis shares her do’s and don’ts in Hollywood and how being her true self has helped elevate her career beyond measures.
What sparked your interest in acting?
I’ve always loved entertaining an audience. Not to mention that feeling that comes from storytelling and stepping into another world sucked me in. You get to be a different person, other than yourself while exploring the different avenues your imagination can take you.
When did acting become a reality in your life?
I always say I was acting at a very young age using talent shows as my outlet. When I was younger, we would put on these shows for my grandparents on their anniversaries, or we’d put on talent shows when I was in school. Me being me, I was the first person to raise her hand when it came to doing plays as well because quite frankly, I had no interest in being in school. I just always knew I wanted to be involved in anything allowing me to showcase my creativity in the art world.
Not only are you on The Chi, but you’re also from Chicago yourself! Do your memories from Chicago correlate to the show’s portrayal of the city?
Yes, I’m originally from Chicago and my memories from my younger days were revolved around having fun. I can honestly say, we had so much fun in my childhood because, unlike the characters in the show, I wasn’t aware of a lot of things that were going on. So, when I was a kid and unaware of everything, I didn’t have worries. I didn’t have bills. I didn’t know anything about that. My memories revolve around stories of going to Rainbow Beach in the summertime where we could jump off the rocks into the lake. I was that braver back then I feel. Even though in our present day, I’m afraid to even going outside with other people. But my childhood in Chicago has always been great memories to think back on.
As you continued through your childhood, can you remember the feeling of first thinking about becoming transgender?
I figured something was different with me growing up real fast. Around the age of three and five, I knew I was different from other kids. Not to mention, I grew up around gay people in my family. They didn’t announce themselves, but as a kid, I knew it was something different about them. I couldn’t put my finger on it but growing up I realized that’s what it was. Then I remember this one conversation with my Dad. I was around twelve and it was the first time I had seen him in years since he wasn’t really in my life. But he asked me when I get older was if I going to have a sex change. This was out of the blue and I was so shocked like what? Do you know? I’ve never discussed it with anyone. But my mom and everyone said they all knew I was different. My Dad said he knew gay people, but it was something different about me than the people he knew. They just didn’t know the terminology for it and how to communicate that, and neither did I. But I knew at that very much age that I felt more of a woman. I felt like a girl. People love to blame others, believing we’re going to influence kids and stuff like that. But I didn’t see any transgenders on TV or in my life around that age. I wasn’t influenced at all; I just internally knew something about me was different.
Although you didn’t have anyone transgender to inspire you at the time, who in your life filled that missing piece for you?
I would say, one of my cousins Quita being open and honest about who she is. Everyone else was in denial about it but watching how she navigated through life was inspiring to my young self trying to figure out exactly who Jasmine was. She explained to me how the world worked when it came to our community not accepting us right now. What you can do to blend in, how she used it to her benefit, and she took me to my first gay club! I was blown away because I did not know that many Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender people existed in Chicago. I was so shocked and in awe. I didn’t even know how to feel about it all. Should I be excited? Should I feel a certain way? I just remember finally feeling a sense of community, like I found a second family.
Along with the great Quita, what actors & actresses did you model your acting career after?
I would say the first major movie that I think I watched and paid attention to was staring Angela Bassett in What’s Love Got to Do With It. I was so young, but my mom used to watch that movie so much and between that and Waiting To Exhale, I just knew this woman was a fucking powerhouse! She made me want to do exactly that! Another movie was Scarface. I will never forget my brother used to watch this over and over again with Michelle Pfeiffer. Even though she wasn’t the star I wanted to be her. I want to do a role like that! So, all these wonderful and talented women from the queen Angela Bassett to, Angelina Jolie, to Nia Long, and of course the goddess that is Halle Berry. All these women have played some badass roles in their lifetimes and I hope to have the chance to do the same.
Your role as Imani is a badass role! So, how are you able to connect with the persona she portrays?
Playing this character gave me the strength to have a voice even more. It’s been therapeutic playing Imani because she’s braver than I am. She’s unapologetically who she is without overly explaining herself and that’s one thing that I connect very well with her. She doesn’t have to put on the front about her existence. She exists in the space she exists in, how she exists. When it comes to being more outspoken, about things I connect very well with her on that level.
For the fans and viewers who watch The Chi, what do you hope they get from Imani’s role in the show?
The message I feel like Imani is putting out there is her existence is here, so learn from it. Know that we all have a universal story: which is we all want to be loved, we all want to be cared for and we all want a sense of community. No matter who you are: Black, White, Asian, Gay, straight, Democrat, Republican, Christian, Muslim, etc. We all want love and a sense of safety in our community.
Has the person you are today, Jasmine, affected your acting career at all?
It started that way. When I started working with little local theaters in Chicago, I had no idea where it was going to lead to. I went to a performing arts theatre, Artistic Homes, back in Chicago that practiced the Meisner technique who referred me to Second City. So, I studied there for a year during the time of me not officially being “out” yet. I was living in the world solely as a fully transitioned Jasmine. So, when I got to Hollywood and officially came out to the world, I felt Hollywood lost their imagination with me and I was kind of I was hurt. Not only hurt but I was also taken aback and frustrated. Truly, I was at my breaking point ready to quit. Then I landed The Chi for the role of Imani. I wasn’t going to take the role at first. I was so frustrated with getting pigeonholed with some of the auditions and reading through some of these scripts out there. They were disrespectful in so many ways, and they didn’t even realize it. Even though I was telling my agent I was no longer accepting transgender roles, I read Imani’s story and fell in love. This script about this beautiful woman who embodied and empowered herself eased all frustrations and I knew I had to do this.
How have you seen yourself changed during the last year during the life-changing events we’ve been living through?
I feel like I’ve embodied more of who I am. My acting is changing as well because when you are more authentic to yourself, you can be more authentic to the characters you portray in a story. So, I’m a big advocate of telling people: “The more you learn and connect with your true self will be the greatest help when it comes to this art form.” How can you truthfully tell a story if you can’t dive deep into yourself, and know who you are first?
As the world beginning to change ever more, what can we expect from Jasmine Davis in the next year or so?
I hope to get booked on more projects. I keep putting it out there, but I want to do something with Marvel. I’ve always looked up to those characters because that’s peak imagination right there. The storylines, the universe they live in, the stories backing each character; I would love to do something with Marvel. Also, I have music coming out soon so I can’t wait to drop that. I’m rapping and singing, but I might as well do everything because you know we’re only here for a short time right? Then I’m going back to modeling as well, so hopefully, people will see me on covers soon. So, you know many things in the works and continued success if the universe is willing.
What advice would you have to inspire others to live in their truth?
Standing in yours is one thing I will always preach. Be authentic in who you are, don’t let them change you. Don’t change who you are for no one. You may get some no’s from it, but the yes’s you’ll receive will be more fulfilling and you’ll watch yourself become more fulfilled as well.
Tiara Cooper
