Disney star Skai Jackson arrested for domestic violence against her boyfriend

Skai Jackson was arrested at Universal CityWalk, California, after an altercation with her boyfriend (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

On August 9, at the busy Universal CityWalk in Hollywood, California, Skai Jackson, famous for her participation in the youth channel Disney Channel, was arrested by the police after an altercation with her boyfriend.

The 22-year-old actress, known for her roles in Jessie and Bunk’d, faced domestic violence charges after the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the incident.

American media outlets such as TMZ and Page Six reported on the incident, citing statements from the local police department.

The actress is reportedly engaged and expecting her first child, according to a TMZ report (REUTERS/Alisha Jucevic)

The situation began when the mall’s security staff observed the dispute between Jackson and his partner.

According to police, the guards saw Jackson repeatedly pushing her boyfriend, so they decided to call the authorities and detain the couple until the officers arrived.

Security footage later reviewed by police showed Jackson had pushed her boyfriend at least twice.

Jackson began her acting career in 2007 and is known for her roles in “Jessie” and “Bunk’d” (Disney)

Following her arrest on the misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, Jackson was cited and released after a few hours. Her case will be reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who will determine whether formal charges will be filed.

According to TMZ sources, both Skai Jackson and her boyfriend denied any physical violence between them. In addition, the aforementioned portal assured that both defended themselves by claiming to be happily in love and expecting a baby.

So far, the celebrity’s representatives have not commented on the altercation.

At 22, Skai Jackson joins a list of former Disney Channel stars facing legal troubles (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Born in New York and of Honduran descent, the actress began her acting career in 2007 at just 3 years old in the independent film Liberty Kid. In the following years she held other minor roles in film and television until 2011, when she was chosen to play Zuri Ross in Jessie.

In fiction, Zuri was a girl from Uganda, Africa, who was adopted by a film producer and his wife, a former supermodel. She was the youngest of all the siblings under the care of Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan), the protagonist’s nanny who arrives in New York to seek a future far away from her town in Texas.

The production also starred Peyton List, Cameron Boyce, Karan Brar and Kevin Chamberlin.

The series “Jessie” aired between 2011 and 2015, and starred Debby Ryan (Disney)

After the series ended in 2015, the children’s story continued in a spin-off titled Bunk’d. Until the final, third season that aired in 2018, Skai Jackson maintained her role as Zuri on Disney Channel screens.

After her time as a figure on the children’s and family network, Skai has not played any other film or television roles. In 2020, she had a brief appearance on Dancing with the Stars, the popular ABC reality show.

Over the years, Jackson has kept the memory of her co-star Cameron Boyce, who passed away in 2019, close at hand. In May of this year, she shared a tribute to him on the occasion of his birthday: “Happy 25th birthday! We love you and miss you. You will never be forgotten,” she wrote.

Skai Jackson and Cameron Boyce had a close friendship while filming for Disney Channel (Instagram/@skaijackson)

Skai Jackson joins a list of former Disney Channel stars who have had run-ins with the law.

Other notables include That’s So Raven star Orlando Brown, who has faced multiple charges for theft, domestic violence and drugs; Hannah Montana cast member Mitchel Musso, who was arrested for public intoxication; and former Andi Mack actor Stoney Westmoreland, who was arrested and charged with six felonies in 2018 related to attempts to have sex with a minor.