Jazlyn Martin Talks ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 and Debut EP ‘Identity Crisis – Essence’

Jazlyn Martin has been a force to be reckoned with within the entertainment industry, and her star continues to rise as she is ready to reprise her role as Jackie on the hit Peacock series. With Season 3 set to premiere on August 15, Martin’s return is extremely anticipated by fans wanting to see what latest layers she brings to her dynamic character. Her performance last season captivated audiences, making her certainly one of the show’s standout stars. Reflecting on her journey, Jazlyn shares how her life and profession have modified since joining the show and what viewers can expect.

(*3*) Martin explains. “So I feel like she brings a lot of spice and messiness to this season. But I think at the core of it, she’s yearning for love and she’s yearning for community. And I think Will just makes her feel safe. So she’s struggling with how to be his friend while also wanting to be around his aura.”

In addition to her acting chops, Jazlyn is making waves within the music industry. Her debut EP, out August thirtieth in partnership with UnitedMasters, showcases her talents as a singer and songwriter. The lead single, “Perfect” had already gained popularity, gaining rotation on iHeartRadio, followed by the discharge of her second single, “They say.” For Jazlyn, the creative process behind the album allowed her to explore latest artistic territory and express herself in ways in which acting doesn’t at all times allow.

“I wrote each song very consciously about certain conflicts that I had in my life and that I was struggling with,” says the 25-year-old. “I wanted it to be relatable to any age, any gender, any type of person, because I believe that everyone has had an identity crisis and it just looks different for each person.”

Ahead of her latest album release, Martin sat down with ESSENCE to debate her vision for the long run as an artist, combining her burgeoning music profession along with her acclaimed acting roles. With a background in classical dance and singing, she has at all times had a passion for the humanities, and now she’s taking those skills to latest heights. As Jazlyn continues to rise in popularity, she’s proving that she’s greater than just an actress—she’s a multi-faceted creator who’s just getting began.

ESSENCE: How has your life and profession modified since joining the solid of Bel-Air?

Jazlyn Martin: Oh, God. So meaningful. I feel just being recognized and people appreciating my work is a big change. And it’s really beautiful when people can connect with me on the show and come as much as me and say, “Your character did that for me.” And I’m like, “Wow, I didn’t even know that could do that for someone.” So it is usually beautiful to listen to people connect with my character on the show. It’s such an honor.

Besides Bel-Air, your debut EP is coming out on August thirtieth, it’s amazing.

Hurrah!

Can you tell me about your creative process while recording this project?

Yeah. At first I didn’t even know what it was going to be called, or I didn’t know what form of project I wanted it to be, but I just began making music and then I used to be talking to a superb friend of mine and he was identical to, “What do you want? What story do you want to tell? This is your debut.” And I need people to have the ability to attach with Jazlyn because they may connect with Jackie. So I used to be like, “How can I authentically show myself?” And I just asked myself, “What story do I want to tell? And what have I been struggling with?” And I got here up with the thought, and I attempted to think about themes that were recurring in my life and that I used to be fighting.

So the method was just very intentional, I wanted it to point out and emphasize, regardless of what stage of life you are in, you are going to struggle with this your whole life. And my parents are in it, so it’s extremely, very near me because I wanted to listen to their perspective on whether or not they had an identity crisis — and they did. And just everyone that I talked to who was a component of this whole creative process had some form of identity crisis. So I wanted it to be very real. And every song could be very intentional, a distinct conflict. And even the lyrics and the blending and the mastering are very intentional. I wanted every little thing to sound completely different because if you’re going through an identity crisis, it’s extremely confusing and chaotic and far and wide and you are attempting to figure it out. So I wanted it to represent that.

Acting and music may be very time-consuming and demanding depending in your level of commitment. How have you ever managed to take care of a healthy balance between the 2?

I’m not going to sit down here and lie and say, “I have everything figured out and I’m balanced.” I feel since the music industry is so latest to me and it is so rather more time-consuming, in my experience, than the acting industry, I’m slowly trying to search out a healthy balance. And I actually have great people around me who ground me and remind me to breathe and take the day, or, “You’re doing great.” Or, “One day at a time.” So straight away I haven’t got an amazing balance simply because it is a busy month, but that is what I prayed for. So I’m okay with not being balanced this month. And then hopefully when things calm down, and you never know, in the event that they do, I’ll find balance within the storm. Yeah, just attempting to be certain that I’m caring for myself within the chaos.

So you only said you are latest to the music industry. I desired to ask how long you’ve got been music?

I’ve been doing music for some time now, but I’ve never released it. And my dad was within the music industry, he was signed to Capitol Records. And he was a beacon of sunshine in that. He educated me on the industry and how I should navigate it, and he warned me about how bad the industry may be, truthfully. So, he definitely educated me on that. So, yeah, it’s all latest to me and it’s extremely drastically different from the acting industry, so I’m learning to fall in love with the method.

What vision do you will have for yourself as a musician in the long run?

I’m going to be brave. I really like, love, love Beyoncé, identical to everybody else. My dream is to embody all of the love I actually have for the humanities, singing, dancing, acting and touring. I’d prefer to do musical theater, whether it’s on Broadway or in movies. I do not know. I have no set goals, simply because I feel goals change. And God could be very funny and he says, “Oh, is that what you want? Let me give you something better.”

So I actually have big dreams and high expectations for myself, but I would love to have every little thing that involves me, any latest interests, I would love to go on that journey. And I do not like to inform myself that I am unable to do something. So whatever I need to do, I’ll do it.

How about an acting profession?

I need to have the ability to inform every story and be all and sundry. And I feel acting just pushes the boundaries of my empathy and challenges me to justify and really embody a individual that I may not relate to. So I feel that helps me be more human. And that helps me, even characters which might be unlovable or unredeemed, I’m at all times drawn to them because I’m like, “Why are they unlovable? Don’t you see yourself in them?” So yeah, I miss playing crazy, weird characters that come out of my pocket because I’m like, “Let me find God in them.”

Do you think that music has helped you in your acting in any respect? And vice versa?

Yes, absolutely. Even on this project it’s like, “Am I a dancer, an actress, or a singer? You have to choose one, you can’t be all three.” And I’ve felt that my whole life. Growing up, it’s like, “If you had to choose one, which would it be?” And it’s like, “All of them, I am all of them.” And I feel like all of them flow into one another so beautifully since it’s all storytelling. And so, I feel acting encourages me to put in writing songs that I have never necessarily experienced or had my very own experiences. I feel it allows me to attract from other people’s experiences and tell an actual, authentic story. And I feel like music allows me to only pour my soul out completely. So they each do various things for me, but together I feel like I actually have full access to them.