ASM Interview: Shar Jackson

Interview by Jeff Ferrantino
American Superstar Magazine,
February 2006

Born in Boston, Mass., Shar Jackson's acting career began when she was enrolled in the legendary Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble at the age of three. While she attended private school, she began modeling with the Ubiquitous, John Robert Powers and Barbizon agencies. She also started to study acting at the same time, learning the craft under the direction of Bob Feldman — you may have heard of his acting son, Corey.

At the age of 11, Jackson decided to focus solely on acting. Through the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble, she was quickly cast in several national commercials and landed guest-starring roles on such series as Roc, My So-Called Life, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Clueless, and The Steve Harvey Show. On the big screen, she worked with Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan in Love & Basketball, as well many additional films including Good Burger, Boom Box, Grand Avenue and Cell Block 4.

At the age of 19, she landed her most notable role on the series Moesha, which ran on UPN from 1996-2001. Starring opposite R&B singer Brandy, Jackson demonstrated her comedic abilities through her character "Niecey Jackson" and expanded her range as an actress.

As a true all-round entertainer, Jackson's passion for singing inspired her to form the pop and R&B group Mpulz, which was featured on The Princess Diaries movie soundtrack in 2001. Though she thoroughly enjoyed the experience, Jackson voluntarily took a break from the band to spend more time with her children. However, she is now back in the studio, having signed with an independent record label.

In 2004, Jackson became a household name for another reason. Her love, Kevin Federline, whom she had met during a Moesha wrap party, left Jackson for pop singer Britney Spears. At the time, Jackson was pregnant with the couple's second child (she has two other children with a high school boyfriend). What ensued was a media circus like no other, however, Jackson has persevered and continues to prove her strength as both an entertainer, as well as a successful single mother who is still in her 20s.

In the face of adversity, Jackson continually handles herself with grace and dignity. In 2005, she started the S.H.A.R foundation, which stands for "Sharing, Helping, And Reconciling lives." The aim is to inspire others with her sense of strength and positivity that turns life's unfortunate situations into empowering experiences.

As we chat, Jackson is just as positive and full of life as the person you've come to know. In our conversation, she talks about: her love for performing that started at a very early age; the gossip rollercoaster of 2004 that continues to this very day and recently forced her into pulling her oldest son out of school; her new cosmetics line inspired by a certain question; her new music career and the rumors of her own rendition of a Toxic single; and finally, she speaks of the support system that keeps this 29-year-old entertainer moving full speed ahead.

ASM: The media really seems to enjoy adding a few years onto your birthday don't they? For the record, you're 29.

Jackson: Yeah, they do that. I've seen 31. Like dude, give me a break!

ASM: Maybe it's due to the fact that you've been acting for so long. You first started working at the age of three, doing a lot of commercials and guest starring on a number of shows early on including Roc, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, South Central, and My So-Called Life. Were you always drawn to performing?

Jackson: Honestly, my mom says that I've always been that way. I've always loved to make other people smile and laugh, and I just loved to entertain. I guess [my mom] was in a grocery store one day. I think that's how it always happens — in a grocery store with your baby and someone goes, "Wow, your kid might have something. You should probably nurture that and see where it goes." Then she took me to places like John Robert Powers, the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble, and I started honing in on my craft and booked jobs immediately. I just kept going from there.

ASM: So you went from hanging out in a shopping cart to a kid destined to perform?

Jackson: I think just from the first time that I was ever on a set, and the cameras and the light, and just the energy. I fell in love.