Who is Kiya Cole? All about Skai Jackson's mother as the 22-year-old actress announces pregnancy with an unidentified boyfriend

Skai Jackson, widely recognized for her role as Zuri Ross in Disney Channel’s Jessie and its spinoff Bunk'd, recently announced her pregnancy with her unidentified boyfriend. Many have focused on the role of the actress's mother, Kiya Cole, who has been instrumental in Jackson's personal and professional development.

Skai Jackson recently shared the exciting news in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE on November 12, 2024. The 22-year-old actress announced that she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, whose identity she has chosen to keep private. Reflecting on this new phase of her life, Skai expressed her enthusiasm, stating:

"I'm thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!"

Cole has raised Skai as a single mother while also managing her career. Kiya Cole was born in Staten Island, New York, in 1975. She married Jacob Jackson, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Skai, on April 8, 2002. However, after their divorce, Cole took on the role of a single mother, raising Skai and her younger siblings, Aurora and Nala.

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Kiya Cole's role in shaping Skai Jackson's career and confidence

She sent Skai Jackson's baby photos to modeling agencies when she was just 9 months old. This decision kickstarted Skai's career, landing her modeling gigs and eventually acting roles. By age four, Skai had secured her first film role. Cole resigned from her post office job to become Skai Jackson's full-time manager. In an interview with Premiere in 2014, Cole explained:

"I want to protect her. I want to be there, I don't want to hire someone to be there, so I'm there every step of the way, every single job."

This hands-on approach paid off when Skai rose to fame on Disney Channel. The mother-daughter duo relocated to Los Angeles after Skai landed her breakthrough role in Jessie. Skai has often credited her mother for teaching her resilience and confidence. In a February 2023 interview with PEOPLE, Skai said:

"[My mom] always taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for what I believe in and fight for what is right. I thank her for that because without her, I probably wouldn't have a lot of the confidence that I do now."

Despite the pressures of fame, Cole worked hard to maintain a sense of normalcy in Skai Jackson's life. She ensured Skai participated in typical childhood activities like ballet and sleepovers. Cole emphasized the importance of humility and kindness, values she instilled in her daughter from a young age, she explained in the interview with Refinery29 in August 2017.

Kiya Cole has also taken a proactive role in managing Skai's social media presence, monitoring her accounts to protect her from cyberbullying. This vigilance was evident during Skai's public feud with Azealia Banks in 2016, where Cole publicly defended her daughter.

Beyond managing Skai's career, Cole shares her own passions on social media. She posts about fitness, cooking, and beauty content, often featuring her daughter. The two have collaborated on various projects, including workout sessions and YouTube vlogs. They even appeared together on the cover of Parenting Magazine, a milestone Cole described as breaking stereotypes.

Skai Jackson is set to star in the upcoming film The Man in the White Van, which will be released on December 13, 2024. Additionally, Skai has hinted at exploring new acting projects while embracing her journey into motherhood.