Jaylen Barron Talks American Sports Story, Acting Journey & Representation | Black in the Green Room
December 18, 2024 • 22 mins
Jaylen Barron, American Sports Story, Free Rein, Black in the Green Room, Keith L. Underwood, acting journey, representation matters, Black creatives
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Welcome to Black in the Green Room with me, your host Keith Underwood, and this is your spot!
(00:06):
For real, talk about Entertainment, with entertainers, creatives, and showbiz professionals.
Here, with actress and influencer, Jalen Barron, and from her role as Shaeanna Jenkins in the Aaron Hernandez story,
to her fashion collaborations and massive social media following,
Jalen is a true force in Entertainment today.
(00:27):
Jalen, welcome to the room.
One entrance.
You know what your voice reminds me of is when I would be in the car with my dad when I was younger,
and I think it would be like 99.3 KGGI.
And you know, all the slow jams, you know what I mean?
And we'd be listening to it in the car.
(00:48):
Right, right.
And then like, I need a bacon with star plan.
That's just what it reminds me of.
Well, thank you.
So Jalen, let's get right into this maybe.
This role in the Aaron Hernandez story, Shaeanna.
I mean, it's such a complex and strong character.
(01:09):
What did it take for you to prepare and get ready, you know, for such a strong undertaking?
I just made sure that I watched a lot of her interviews and went on all of her socials,
and just to try and kind of pick up on her mannerisms and the way she would act when she felt nervous,
or when she seemed to like what the way I perceive her to be insecure in some moments.
(01:33):
But just do as much research and watching her constantly all the time.
And making sure I watch Aaron and watching his play so that way I can understand the gravity
of his impact on football and how good he was and how admired he was.
I feel like that was really important to because, you know, that was part of the reason why she loved
(01:55):
him and pushed him so hard because she knows how great he could have been and who he'd been.
But I really just did my homework studying all the time.
Yeah, for you, like, I mean, with it being such a complex story,
what were your emotions coming into when your thoughts coming into the project?
(02:15):
And then how did you feel after you got into it and then ultimately finished it?
What were my emotions coming into the project?
I was excited because I've never gotten to, you know, portray a real person on television.
I was also excited because it was gritty and it was a lot of depth and it was something
different than what I've ever done before.
And what was the next part of your question? I'm sorry.
(02:39):
I get a little bit.
No, I'm saying coming, going into it, you know, what were your feelings about the story
and then when you started filming and then afterwards?
And then when I started filming, I was still excited.
I was excited the whole time.
I loved going to set every single day because when you have this many layers in a character,
(03:00):
it's never boring.
You surprise yourself.
But I felt like I was constantly surprising myself with what I was doing
and the kind of work I was doing.
I was like, I don't even know what I could do.
I'm getting excited.
It inspired me to put my best foot forward every single day.
There was never a dull moment when I was on set.
I could not wait to get to work.
Now, when 4am would come by and we would have a night shoe,
(03:22):
I would be ready to go out and lie about that.
But beyond that, I mean, when I wrapped, I was just like,
man, it's over.
I just got into it, you know?
Because at first you don't know the character, you don't know the people,
so you're kind of timid.
And I'm making choices.
I don't know if they're the right choices for who she is.
But then when you are in the middle of filming and you're in the thick of it,
(03:45):
that's when you feel fully comfortable.
But then before you know it is done.
It's time to do it.
Yeah, let me tell you, you were getting a lot of a claim for this role.
How does that feel?
It feels good.
You know, I'm not going to lie.
I don't feel like the difference, you know what I mean?
Like, it isn't, like, there is not like paparazzi outside my door
and I didn't gain a million followers.
(04:06):
So I'm like, okay, like whatever.
But I'm just glad a good piece of art is out for people to watch.
That's what feels good to me.
Yeah, you've gained so much popularity on social media.
What's your approach to connecting with your fans?
I feel like doing interviews like this and just being
(04:27):
authentically who I am.
And not trying to say all the right things and be perfect.
But just be a real person and relatable and show who I am.
I feel like I do a lot of that on my stories on Instagram,
where like I kind of show more of my personality.
But I feel like if people really want to know me,
they'll find a little interview.
(04:47):
Yeah.
Why do you think that's so hard for some people
to like just be themselves on social media?
And what makes it so easy for you?
I feel like it's judgment and not being settled within who you are.
And I think maybe it just comes with age and experience.
Because I mean, I very much used to be timid and like making
sure I say all the right things and not fully being myself.
(05:08):
But you know, I talk a certain way, I walk a certain way.
And I was raised to certain ways.
So I feel like there's other people out there who are like me.
I'm not this perfect actress that's clean, cut,
and ready to deliver all the time and on.
I am who I am.
And I feel like that's what has allowed me to play the kind of roles
that I've been able to play is because I do have that
(05:28):
that great about me.
And I do have that realism of representing real black women out in the world.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Where does that come from?
My family.
You know, I was raised with, you know, my family.
If you meet the women in my family, you know, my mom is Mexican
and my dad is black from Tulsa Oklahoma and my mom's from,
I'm not going to oh, you're from Tulsa too?
(05:50):
No, no, no, no, I'll say about the black and Mexican.
Oh, yeah, okay.
Okay, I was like Tulsa in the house.
No, but you know, if you meet the women in my family, they,
they don't play, you know, they do not play.
They're very straightforward.
They're about their business.
They're about their money.
And I don't want to say they're scary because they're not scary to me.
(06:14):
But from the outside, I feel like if you're not from where we're from,
then you need to look at the shy, you know what I mean?
But, um, yeah, I think that just comes from being raised for real,
like being raised with real people and then telling you the truth about yourself.
A little bit rough sometimes, but we're, I'm good.
(06:37):
I'm okay.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I think that's why I'm okay with just being myself because I'm like,
you either take it or you leave it.
And I don't know what to give you.
But this is who I am right now.
Right.
This is, this is the real me that you're getting.
This is the real me that you're getting.
I'm not trying to put on a show.
Sometimes though, like, I'm a classy lady, though,
because there is, you know, I have a question.
But we like, we're, we're, we're, we're chopping it up.
(06:58):
We're chopping it up.
And I'm going to give you the real me.
Some of the other roles that you have have portrayed and, you know,
some of the, um, the roles that you've played.
And some of the awards that you've received,
what do they mean to you and which one stand out the most?
Hmm.
What role has stood out to me that I've played?
(07:20):
I feel like this is the one.
I'm not going to want the one.
This is the one that stood out to me.
This is the one that I feel like I've had the most effect on my craft.
And I'm able to show people what I can really do.
But, you know, my first job where I was, um,
my first job where I was a lead on it, which was free reign.
I'll never forget that role because it was such an amazing role.
And I had such a big impact on Netflix because it was the first children series
(07:44):
I was led by, you know, a woman of color.
And I feel like that means the world because it was a little part of history
that I got to be in, you know, and show and show black women in a different light.
And like what we're doing different where we're at, you know, and, um,
the awards.
I'm like, what awards have I gotten?
(08:04):
I thought you got some awards.
Some of the, I mean, free reign one and Emmy.
So I mean, that's amazing.
Not felt amazing and I'll take it.
But, you know, I think it's just important to do what you love.
And you could never go wrong with being your true authentic self.
And if you, if all of your intentions are things that make you happy
(08:26):
with obviously when you're being a good person, then you're always going to win.
You know, you're always going to feel satisfied at the end of the day.
And, you know, God will always show you the light in your life.
And I feel like that is the biggest blessing that I've had with my journey
as a woman growing up is one door with clothes and he would open another one.
(08:46):
And without a doubt, it'd always be the best one.
Even if it was five years later, I'd look back and I'd be like, that's why you did that.
As long as you're making choices that feel authentic and genuine to you in the moment,
you literally can never go wrong. Never.
Yeah, we're, you know, with Aaron Hernandez, what, what, what shocked you the most about the story?
(09:13):
What didn't shock me?
What shocked me the most?
Yeah.
Was that he had cheated with the babysitter in real life?
That, that should shock me the most.
I wasn't a fan of that one.
And because, you know, you get, when you're playing these characters and you're there,
all day you get a respect for everybody involved, right?
(09:37):
So like, like, Josh who's playing Aaron, right?
And I see him. I see Aaron.
Right.
So when I saw him, I'd be like, "Bro, you cheat in?"
You doing all that?
That's crazy.
But, yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's, it was a lot.
(09:58):
It was a lot every single day, something new would pop up and I'd be like,
"Oh, heck, no. Oh, man, I couldn't even tell you the amount of times I was like,
"Oh, we're disrespectful now."
Right.
You know, it's part of the job.
Yeah, so are you, are you a little bit of a method actor or do you,
(10:19):
what's your approach when you're going into a role?
No, I'm not a method actor. I'm not a method actor at all.
Yeah, I don't think so. I'm not. But I would say, what is my thing when I go in there?
I make sure that all of the lines feel natural in my body first before I might.
(10:39):
Because then the words follow, your body reacts first, then, then words come out, right?
When you're describing something or when something happens to you, you know, if you're hurt,
you immediately hold your heart and then you talk.
Yes.
So I make sure that I do that. And then another exercise I do is a lot of visualizing.
(11:00):
Visualize my environment. So I'll go into our kitchen when we were filming there.
And I'll look at all the cabinets and I'll look in the fridge. I have to be familiar.
I have to feel like there's milk in there because that builds a warmth to a home,
is knowing where things are at. So I'll do that. And then another thing I do is I write out
(11:23):
my thoughts before I speak, you know, my internal dialogue. And that way when it comes out,
I have that feeling. So if the line says, Aaron, where are you going? You could say that 10 different
ways, right? But I'm thinking, oh, so you're out cheating? Oh, Aaron, where are you going?
That changes the whole, the whole tone of it. But if I'm like, are you going to go get something to
(11:46):
eat? Aaron, where are you going? Just different levels. So I make sure I have that established,
you know, and even something as small as like, am I mad at him in this episode? Would I touch him
right now? Oh, I'm not mad at him. Okay, I'm showing him affection. Those details matter in order
to show a real relationship. So I make sure that I mold my environment and this character
(12:06):
as a real person living her day to day life and making sure like I ask Josh, I'm like, what's your
favorite color? You know, those tattoos out of all of them, which ones are favorite one? Because
you're able to see that connection on screen. And if you don't have that and you, you don't know anything
about your scene partner's interests, it's going to come off and everybody's going to be with me.
(12:29):
So I had to do some investigating and slew thing on him to be like, I need to know you brother.
Look like I care, okay? Yeah, we're at any point our time during meeting the script or when you were
actually, you know, performing, you know, your character, Shaeana, did you go, did you ever
like get upset with her during the process? No, no, because that's like the biggest role in acting is
(12:53):
don't judge your character. So like I was never mad at her for a second. I never judge her. I was
mad at Aaron. Yeah, I was mad at me, but I was never mad at Shae. Shae is an angel.
Yeah, so you've already got such a diverse TV and resume. What's that, what's that dream role
(13:15):
that you want to do? I can ask this a lot and I feel like what I would say is I don't know what it is
until it happens. I could say and I had, I'm like, I want to be this lady and this lady, but then
when I got a role like this, I would never even dream in a million years to get this kind of role.
I would never do to me to be this kind of girl. And I feel like every role I've played has been my
(13:38):
dream role without me realizing it. She has brought me to an understanding and in acceptance of looking
imperfect on camera when my previous characters were always kind of perfect and pretty and cute
and put together. And she is always cute, but like I said, you know, like her edge is not being laid down,
her outfit not being perfect, her slouching, like just being a real person. That was, that is what a
(14:04):
dream role for me is is just being a real person. And I would say a role that I would like to play is like
a secret agent, you know, like like salt kill bill, you know, something really cool like that. I feel
like I'd be able to, I'd be able to do, but this one, this one right here is allowed me to be like,
okay, I don't have to be perfect all the time. Yeah. Would you want to play another? I'm sure
(14:29):
another non fictional character again. Yeah. Yeah. Give me one, give me one that you might want to do.
Give me a celebrity. Give me, give you a celebrity. I would want to do, um, miss you a safe,
Vanessa Howard. Mm hmm. Like something on her life, you know, some, now I don't, I don't know her,
(14:53):
like her business or anything like that. So I don't think there's like any tea to be like this is
the story, but I feel like that would be cool to be like a pageant princess or another person.
Now what's a celebrity that I would like to play that I'm like, oh, you're a good time. Um, who is it?
I don't know. What do you think? I'm trying to think I'm like, because I don't want to like say
(15:16):
somebody that I don't even look similar to where it's like, okay, girl, like not in a million years.
Vanessa Williams. I'm sorry. I said Vanessa Howard didn't I? That's what I meant. Vanessa Williams.
Oh, that is really weird. We were on the same. Yeah, yeah, but no, Vanessa Williams definitely.
So yes, they better be listening to this. That's what I'm saying. I said, no.
Or like some kind of movie that's based on her, but like they add some fake stuff in there.
(15:39):
You know what I mean? So I'm just, I'm gonna have to block it up. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
He's okay with it. Yeah, give me some, uh, some hot behind the scene story that happened on set
while filming Aaron Hernandez. Not behind the scene stories. You know, I'm not gonna lie. It was always
pretty, pretty quiet and pretty sad all the time because it's a sad story. Right, right, right.
(16:01):
I'm like, there was no like really big jokes that were played or anything because it just wasn't
that energy on there. Mm hmm. Um, for me, what was it? Oh, okay. So there's this, it was Valentine's day,
right? Right. And we were filming a court scene and in that court scene, there was, you know, a lot of
(16:22):
background actors. And there's this one that had like the biggest crush on my sister in the show,
Kale. She's like, amazing. You should talk with her. If you ever get the chance, she's super smart and
like, absolutely, he's amazing. Um, so he had a crush on her and we were like sitting down like in
like the chillin green room, whatever. And he comes over and like we're watching him walk over and he
(16:46):
was so nervous, but he had written her like this really sweet card and got her a rose and like gave
it to her. And that was the biggest thing on set that we were talking about. That's a, that's a
pretty good story. You know, it's a nice story. I wish I had more for you. I wish I had more. No, no, no, no. I
don't, I don't need the tea. That was nice. That was very nice. Yeah. That was nice. And then what else?
(17:11):
Um, you know, like being on set and then like you're like, Oh, how long do I have before I have to go
on? They're like, Oh, like you have like four more hours and you're like, well, I'm going to go eat at
Applebees. And like, it's great to go eat a little something, something, you know what I mean? Maybe
give you a little margarita, but hey, I'm not. Right, right. You know, Jayla, you're so upbeat and so
(17:35):
lively and seem like you like to have a lot of fun in that environment where it was so like, you know,
I mean, for lack of a better word, kind of a downer, you know, how did you keep your spirits up when
you weren't on set? By playing music in between scenes and like putting it on in front of hair and
makeup or like in the room with everybody and just like talking to people, I was definitely a
(17:58):
yaper on set. So and I'm pretty social. So I would just talk to this person in that person. So I
had a friend at every department, you know, in cameras and hair and makeup in props and, you know, I
made a lot of friends there, but really just like being a normal person because work is hard already.
And the hours we work are difficult. So if you're miserable there, then nobody's having a good time.
(18:20):
But if you're able to be the person that I feel like cast should be, you know, I feel like when
you're out of certain position on the call sheet, people look to you to set the tone of what set
is going to be. And what I always want people to look at me as is somebody they could relate to. And
talk to and just like, oh, it's going to be a good time when Jaylen's here. It's cool. And I just
(18:44):
like to be that person on set where it's not a drag to be around me and everybody's like, oh,
cool. Like she's going to come in, you know, on the last show I was on, I did like this raffle
for everybody on set and like whatever department one, they like one, like a bottle of like to
heal or something. Like just keeping things interesting on set really. Yeah. Would you would you
consider yourself a style icon? Not yet. In my head, I'm a style icon. I'm like, well, I did that.
(19:13):
But you know, it depends on like the budget and where we're going. I would consider, I would consider
Rihanna the style icon. And I give respect versus respect is due because that's what that's a title she
deserved and deserves an earned in my opinion. I would not say I'm there yet, but I will be one day.
People will see that I'll be putting this stuff on and they'll like it. Yeah. Any collaboration is
(19:37):
coming up in fashion? Oh, no, not right now. Maybe soon actually. Like there's definitely some
things to look out for for New York Fashion Week. Okay. Yeah. Okay. I will be there. But
in three came and then this is my stylist that I go to all the time and he's amazing. Every carpet
(19:58):
look he nails. And what I like about a relationship is like we're so we're so collaborative with each
other and it has grown and molded over the last couple of years. And so I'm just excited to see
where this goes next. Yeah. What are you filling right now with style that you're filling right now?
What trend? I love a chic, a chic, simple outfit with like a crazy shoe or a beautiful bell or
(20:25):
a crazy boot. And you know, we're getting into fall right now. So what I'm really into is burgundy
and purple. And look at on your skin complexion. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah.
Yeah. It's dark, a burnt orange and just incorporating that into my outfit. And like I always
lean towards more of a 90s S all the time, whether it be my hair, my makeup, but I feel like I really
(20:48):
stick to that all the time is like that's just what I like. And I feel like for me, a mini skirt,
right? Very chic, giving silk almost and a nice fitted, corseted top with a cute cute boot
knee high boot. Not too high though, not thigh high knee high that like is a beautiful color. I don't
(21:12):
know, I'm building it right now in my head, but 90s chic is always my go to everything. I've
I've got a lot of vintage. Nice. Nice. Nice. I'm going to New York like my recent look that I just
did in for the women in fashion. I had on these vintage Chanel glasses and I had gotten these from
this little spot in New York is so cute. And like they're little wired glasses, but they're very much
(21:37):
a 90s chic moment and I'll never get rid of them because I love them. Nice. Jaylin, this, I mean,
I've had a lot of fun with you. Yes, I have fun with you too. Because we're black in the room, baby.
You better tell somebody. Hello. Jaylin, where can everybody find you on social media?
You could find me on Instagram, Jaylin Baron on TikTok, Jaylin Jay Baron and on Twitter, Jaylin,
(22:02):
Jay Baron. And I'm verified on all of my accounts. And those are my only accounts with that
little blue check. That's right. Wait, but not on Twitter anymore. I forgot. It's called X now. Never
mind. I don't be paying that membership. I'm not. And XM XM. I forgot. I forgot. I'm not verified
on there. You want if you see this. Throw me a verification, brother. Jaylin Baron, thank you so much
(22:26):
for joining me on black in the green room. We are black in the room with kids. Yes, yes, we are.
Thank you. It's nice to talk to you. All right. Appreciate your time.
Keith. See you later.
Welcome to Black in the Green Room with me, your host Keith Underwood, and this is your spot!
(00:06):
For real, talk about Entertainment, with entertainers, creatives, and showbiz professionals.
Here, with actress and influencer, Jalen Barron, and from her role as Shaeanna Jenkins in the Aaron Hernandez story,
to her fashion collaborations and massive social media following,
Jalen is a true force in Entertainment today.
(00:27):
Jalen, welcome to the room.
One entrance.
You know what your voice reminds me of is when I would be in the car with my dad when I was younger,
and I think it would be like 99.3 KGGI.
And you know, all the slow jams, you know what I mean?
And we'd be listening to it in the car.
(00:48):
Right, right.
And then like, I need a bacon with star plan.
That's just what it reminds me of.
Well, thank you.
So Jalen, let's get right into this maybe.
This role in the Aaron Hernandez story, Shaeanna.
I mean, it's such a complex and strong character.
(01:09):
What did it take for you to prepare and get ready, you know, for such a strong undertaking?
I just made sure that I watched a lot of her interviews and went on all of her socials,
and just to try and kind of pick up on her mannerisms and the way she would act when she felt nervous,
or when she seemed to like what the way I perceive her to be insecure in some moments.
(01:33):
But just do as much research and watching her constantly all the time.
And making sure I watch Aaron and watching his play so that way I can understand the gravity
of his impact on football and how good he was and how admired he was.
I feel like that was really important to because, you know, that was part of the reason why she loved
(01:55):
him and pushed him so hard because she knows how great he could have been and who he'd been.
But I really just did my homework studying all the time.
Yeah, for you, like, I mean, with it being such a complex story,
what were your emotions coming into when your thoughts coming into the project?
(02:15):
And then how did you feel after you got into it and then ultimately finished it?
What were my emotions coming into the project?
I was excited because I've never gotten to, you know, portray a real person on television.
I was also excited because it was gritty and it was a lot of depth and it was something
different than what I've ever done before.
And what was the next part of your question? I'm sorry.
(02:39):
I get a little bit.
No, I'm saying coming, going into it, you know, what were your feelings about the story
and then when you started filming and then afterwards?
And then when I started filming, I was still excited.
I was excited the whole time.
I loved going to set every single day because when you have this many layers in a character,
(03:00):
it's never boring.
You surprise yourself.
But I felt like I was constantly surprising myself with what I was doing
and the kind of work I was doing.
I was like, I don't even know what I could do.
I'm getting excited.
It inspired me to put my best foot forward every single day.
There was never a dull moment when I was on set.
I could not wait to get to work.
Now, when 4am would come by and we would have a night shoe,
(03:22):
I would be ready to go out and lie about that.
But beyond that, I mean, when I wrapped, I was just like,
man, it's over.
I just got into it, you know?
Because at first you don't know the character, you don't know the people,
so you're kind of timid.
And I'm making choices.
I don't know if they're the right choices for who she is.
But then when you are in the middle of filming and you're in the thick of it,
(03:45):
that's when you feel fully comfortable.
But then before you know it is done.
It's time to do it.
Yeah, let me tell you, you were getting a lot of a claim for this role.
How does that feel?
It feels good.
You know, I'm not going to lie.
I don't feel like the difference, you know what I mean?
Like, it isn't, like, there is not like paparazzi outside my door
and I didn't gain a million followers.
(04:06):
So I'm like, okay, like whatever.
But I'm just glad a good piece of art is out for people to watch.
That's what feels good to me.
Yeah, you've gained so much popularity on social media.
What's your approach to connecting with your fans?
I feel like doing interviews like this and just being
(04:27):
authentically who I am.
And not trying to say all the right things and be perfect.
But just be a real person and relatable and show who I am.
I feel like I do a lot of that on my stories on Instagram,
where like I kind of show more of my personality.
But I feel like if people really want to know me,
they'll find a little interview.
(04:47):
Yeah.
Why do you think that's so hard for some people
to like just be themselves on social media?
And what makes it so easy for you?
I feel like it's judgment and not being settled within who you are.
And I think maybe it just comes with age and experience.
Because I mean, I very much used to be timid and like making
sure I say all the right things and not fully being myself.
(05:08):
But you know, I talk a certain way, I walk a certain way.
And I was raised to certain ways.
So I feel like there's other people out there who are like me.
I'm not this perfect actress that's clean, cut,
and ready to deliver all the time and on.
I am who I am.
And I feel like that's what has allowed me to play the kind of roles
that I've been able to play is because I do have that
(05:28):
that great about me.
And I do have that realism of representing real black women out in the world.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Where does that come from?
My family.
You know, I was raised with, you know, my family.
If you meet the women in my family, you know, my mom is Mexican
and my dad is black from Tulsa Oklahoma and my mom's from,
I'm not going to oh, you're from Tulsa too?
(05:50):
No, no, no, no, I'll say about the black and Mexican.
Oh, yeah, okay.
Okay, I was like Tulsa in the house.
No, but you know, if you meet the women in my family, they,
they don't play, you know, they do not play.
They're very straightforward.
They're about their business.
They're about their money.
And I don't want to say they're scary because they're not scary to me.
(06:14):
But from the outside, I feel like if you're not from where we're from,
then you need to look at the shy, you know what I mean?
But, um, yeah, I think that just comes from being raised for real,
like being raised with real people and then telling you the truth about yourself.
A little bit rough sometimes, but we're, I'm good.
(06:37):
I'm okay.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And I think that's why I'm okay with just being myself because I'm like,
you either take it or you leave it.
And I don't know what to give you.
But this is who I am right now.
Right.
This is, this is the real me that you're getting.
This is the real me that you're getting.
I'm not trying to put on a show.
Sometimes though, like, I'm a classy lady, though,
because there is, you know, I have a question.
But we like, we're, we're, we're, we're chopping it up.
(06:58):
We're chopping it up.
And I'm going to give you the real me.
Some of the other roles that you have have portrayed and, you know,
some of the, um, the roles that you've played.
And some of the awards that you've received,
what do they mean to you and which one stand out the most?
Hmm.
What role has stood out to me that I've played?
(07:20):
I feel like this is the one.
I'm not going to want the one.
This is the one that stood out to me.
This is the one that I feel like I've had the most effect on my craft.
And I'm able to show people what I can really do.
But, you know, my first job where I was, um,
my first job where I was a lead on it, which was free reign.
I'll never forget that role because it was such an amazing role.
And I had such a big impact on Netflix because it was the first children series
(07:44):
I was led by, you know, a woman of color.
And I feel like that means the world because it was a little part of history
that I got to be in, you know, and show and show black women in a different light.
And like what we're doing different where we're at, you know, and, um,
the awards.
I'm like, what awards have I gotten?
(08:04):
I thought you got some awards.
Some of the, I mean, free reign one and Emmy.
So I mean, that's amazing.
Not felt amazing and I'll take it.
But, you know, I think it's just important to do what you love.
And you could never go wrong with being your true authentic self.
And if you, if all of your intentions are things that make you happy
(08:26):
with obviously when you're being a good person, then you're always going to win.
You know, you're always going to feel satisfied at the end of the day.
And, you know, God will always show you the light in your life.
And I feel like that is the biggest blessing that I've had with my journey
as a woman growing up is one door with clothes and he would open another one.
(08:46):
And without a doubt, it'd always be the best one.
Even if it was five years later, I'd look back and I'd be like, that's why you did that.
As long as you're making choices that feel authentic and genuine to you in the moment,
you literally can never go wrong. Never.
Yeah, we're, you know, with Aaron Hernandez, what, what, what shocked you the most about the story?
(09:13):
What didn't shock me?
What shocked me the most?
Yeah.
Was that he had cheated with the babysitter in real life?
That, that should shock me the most.
I wasn't a fan of that one.
And because, you know, you get, when you're playing these characters and you're there,
all day you get a respect for everybody involved, right?
(09:37):
So like, like, Josh who's playing Aaron, right?
And I see him. I see Aaron.
Right.
So when I saw him, I'd be like, "Bro, you cheat in?"
You doing all that?
That's crazy.
But, yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's, it was a lot.
(09:58):
It was a lot every single day, something new would pop up and I'd be like,
"Oh, heck, no. Oh, man, I couldn't even tell you the amount of times I was like,
"Oh, we're disrespectful now."
Right.
You know, it's part of the job.
Yeah, so are you, are you a little bit of a method actor or do you,
(10:19):
what's your approach when you're going into a role?
No, I'm not a method actor. I'm not a method actor at all.
Yeah, I don't think so. I'm not. But I would say, what is my thing when I go in there?
I make sure that all of the lines feel natural in my body first before I might.
(10:39):
Because then the words follow, your body reacts first, then, then words come out, right?
When you're describing something or when something happens to you, you know, if you're hurt,
you immediately hold your heart and then you talk.
Yes.
So I make sure that I do that. And then another exercise I do is a lot of visualizing.
(11:00):
Visualize my environment. So I'll go into our kitchen when we were filming there.
And I'll look at all the cabinets and I'll look in the fridge. I have to be familiar.
I have to feel like there's milk in there because that builds a warmth to a home,
is knowing where things are at. So I'll do that. And then another thing I do is I write out
(11:23):
my thoughts before I speak, you know, my internal dialogue. And that way when it comes out,
I have that feeling. So if the line says, Aaron, where are you going? You could say that 10 different
ways, right? But I'm thinking, oh, so you're out cheating? Oh, Aaron, where are you going?
That changes the whole, the whole tone of it. But if I'm like, are you going to go get something to
(11:46):
eat? Aaron, where are you going? Just different levels. So I make sure I have that established,
you know, and even something as small as like, am I mad at him in this episode? Would I touch him
right now? Oh, I'm not mad at him. Okay, I'm showing him affection. Those details matter in order
to show a real relationship. So I make sure that I mold my environment and this character
(12:06):
as a real person living her day to day life and making sure like I ask Josh, I'm like, what's your
favorite color? You know, those tattoos out of all of them, which ones are favorite one? Because
you're able to see that connection on screen. And if you don't have that and you, you don't know anything
about your scene partner's interests, it's going to come off and everybody's going to be with me.
(12:29):
So I had to do some investigating and slew thing on him to be like, I need to know you brother.
Look like I care, okay? Yeah, we're at any point our time during meeting the script or when you were
actually, you know, performing, you know, your character, Shaeana, did you go, did you ever
like get upset with her during the process? No, no, because that's like the biggest role in acting is
(12:53):
don't judge your character. So like I was never mad at her for a second. I never judge her. I was
mad at Aaron. Yeah, I was mad at me, but I was never mad at Shae. Shae is an angel.
Yeah, so you've already got such a diverse TV and resume. What's that, what's that dream role
(13:15):
that you want to do? I can ask this a lot and I feel like what I would say is I don't know what it is
until it happens. I could say and I had, I'm like, I want to be this lady and this lady, but then
when I got a role like this, I would never even dream in a million years to get this kind of role.
I would never do to me to be this kind of girl. And I feel like every role I've played has been my
(13:38):
dream role without me realizing it. She has brought me to an understanding and in acceptance of looking
imperfect on camera when my previous characters were always kind of perfect and pretty and cute
and put together. And she is always cute, but like I said, you know, like her edge is not being laid down,
her outfit not being perfect, her slouching, like just being a real person. That was, that is what a
(14:04):
dream role for me is is just being a real person. And I would say a role that I would like to play is like
a secret agent, you know, like like salt kill bill, you know, something really cool like that. I feel
like I'd be able to, I'd be able to do, but this one, this one right here is allowed me to be like,
okay, I don't have to be perfect all the time. Yeah. Would you want to play another? I'm sure
(14:29):
another non fictional character again. Yeah. Yeah. Give me one, give me one that you might want to do.
Give me a celebrity. Give me, give you a celebrity. I would want to do, um, miss you a safe,
Vanessa Howard. Mm hmm. Like something on her life, you know, some, now I don't, I don't know her,
(14:53):
like her business or anything like that. So I don't think there's like any tea to be like this is
the story, but I feel like that would be cool to be like a pageant princess or another person.
Now what's a celebrity that I would like to play that I'm like, oh, you're a good time. Um, who is it?
I don't know. What do you think? I'm trying to think I'm like, because I don't want to like say
(15:16):
somebody that I don't even look similar to where it's like, okay, girl, like not in a million years.
Vanessa Williams. I'm sorry. I said Vanessa Howard didn't I? That's what I meant. Vanessa Williams.
Oh, that is really weird. We were on the same. Yeah, yeah, but no, Vanessa Williams definitely.
So yes, they better be listening to this. That's what I'm saying. I said, no.
Or like some kind of movie that's based on her, but like they add some fake stuff in there.
(15:39):
You know what I mean? So I'm just, I'm gonna have to block it up. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
He's okay with it. Yeah, give me some, uh, some hot behind the scene story that happened on set
while filming Aaron Hernandez. Not behind the scene stories. You know, I'm not gonna lie. It was always
pretty, pretty quiet and pretty sad all the time because it's a sad story. Right, right, right.
(16:01):
I'm like, there was no like really big jokes that were played or anything because it just wasn't
that energy on there. Mm hmm. Um, for me, what was it? Oh, okay. So there's this, it was Valentine's day,
right? Right. And we were filming a court scene and in that court scene, there was, you know, a lot of
(16:22):
background actors. And there's this one that had like the biggest crush on my sister in the show,
Kale. She's like, amazing. You should talk with her. If you ever get the chance, she's super smart and
like, absolutely, he's amazing. Um, so he had a crush on her and we were like sitting down like in
like the chillin green room, whatever. And he comes over and like we're watching him walk over and he
(16:46):
was so nervous, but he had written her like this really sweet card and got her a rose and like gave
it to her. And that was the biggest thing on set that we were talking about. That's a, that's a
pretty good story. You know, it's a nice story. I wish I had more for you. I wish I had more. No, no, no, no. I
don't, I don't need the tea. That was nice. That was very nice. Yeah. That was nice. And then what else?
(17:11):
Um, you know, like being on set and then like you're like, Oh, how long do I have before I have to go
on? They're like, Oh, like you have like four more hours and you're like, well, I'm going to go eat at
Applebees. And like, it's great to go eat a little something, something, you know what I mean? Maybe
give you a little margarita, but hey, I'm not. Right, right. You know, Jayla, you're so upbeat and so
(17:35):
lively and seem like you like to have a lot of fun in that environment where it was so like, you know,
I mean, for lack of a better word, kind of a downer, you know, how did you keep your spirits up when
you weren't on set? By playing music in between scenes and like putting it on in front of hair and
makeup or like in the room with everybody and just like talking to people, I was definitely a
(17:58):
yaper on set. So and I'm pretty social. So I would just talk to this person in that person. So I
had a friend at every department, you know, in cameras and hair and makeup in props and, you know, I
made a lot of friends there, but really just like being a normal person because work is hard already.
And the hours we work are difficult. So if you're miserable there, then nobody's having a good time.
(18:20):
But if you're able to be the person that I feel like cast should be, you know, I feel like when
you're out of certain position on the call sheet, people look to you to set the tone of what set
is going to be. And what I always want people to look at me as is somebody they could relate to. And
talk to and just like, oh, it's going to be a good time when Jaylen's here. It's cool. And I just
(18:44):
like to be that person on set where it's not a drag to be around me and everybody's like, oh,
cool. Like she's going to come in, you know, on the last show I was on, I did like this raffle
for everybody on set and like whatever department one, they like one, like a bottle of like to
heal or something. Like just keeping things interesting on set really. Yeah. Would you would you
consider yourself a style icon? Not yet. In my head, I'm a style icon. I'm like, well, I did that.
(19:13):
But you know, it depends on like the budget and where we're going. I would consider, I would consider
Rihanna the style icon. And I give respect versus respect is due because that's what that's a title she
deserved and deserves an earned in my opinion. I would not say I'm there yet, but I will be one day.
People will see that I'll be putting this stuff on and they'll like it. Yeah. Any collaboration is
(19:37):
coming up in fashion? Oh, no, not right now. Maybe soon actually. Like there's definitely some
things to look out for for New York Fashion Week. Okay. Yeah. Okay. I will be there. But
in three came and then this is my stylist that I go to all the time and he's amazing. Every carpet
(19:58):
look he nails. And what I like about a relationship is like we're so we're so collaborative with each
other and it has grown and molded over the last couple of years. And so I'm just excited to see
where this goes next. Yeah. What are you filling right now with style that you're filling right now?
What trend? I love a chic, a chic, simple outfit with like a crazy shoe or a beautiful bell or
(20:25):
a crazy boot. And you know, we're getting into fall right now. So what I'm really into is burgundy
and purple. And look at on your skin complexion. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah.
Yeah. It's dark, a burnt orange and just incorporating that into my outfit. And like I always
lean towards more of a 90s S all the time, whether it be my hair, my makeup, but I feel like I really
(20:48):
stick to that all the time is like that's just what I like. And I feel like for me, a mini skirt,
right? Very chic, giving silk almost and a nice fitted, corseted top with a cute cute boot
knee high boot. Not too high though, not thigh high knee high that like is a beautiful color. I don't
(21:12):
know, I'm building it right now in my head, but 90s chic is always my go to everything. I've
I've got a lot of vintage. Nice. Nice. Nice. I'm going to New York like my recent look that I just
did in for the women in fashion. I had on these vintage Chanel glasses and I had gotten these from
this little spot in New York is so cute. And like they're little wired glasses, but they're very much
(21:37):
a 90s chic moment and I'll never get rid of them because I love them. Nice. Jaylin, this, I mean,
I've had a lot of fun with you. Yes, I have fun with you too. Because we're black in the room, baby.
You better tell somebody. Hello. Jaylin, where can everybody find you on social media?
You could find me on Instagram, Jaylin Baron on TikTok, Jaylin Jay Baron and on Twitter, Jaylin,
(22:02):
Jay Baron. And I'm verified on all of my accounts. And those are my only accounts with that
little blue check. That's right. Wait, but not on Twitter anymore. I forgot. It's called X now. Never
mind. I don't be paying that membership. I'm not. And XM XM. I forgot. I forgot. I'm not verified
on there. You want if you see this. Throw me a verification, brother. Jaylin Baron, thank you so much
(22:26):
for joining me on black in the green room. We are black in the room with kids. Yes, yes, we are.
Thank you. It's nice to talk to you. All right. Appreciate your time.
Keith. See you later.
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