Ayana Jackson: CENTER STAGE – Jackson to Jackson - Becoming Katherine Jackson in MJ: The Musical
Everyone knows The Jacksons, and if you’ve "made your way over to" to the Neil Simon Theatre to see MJ: The Musical, you’ll see a shining star on stage in the form of Ayana Jackson. Jackson is becoming a legend in her own right; Balancing motherhood, being an emerging businesswoman and performing as Katherine Jackson in the Tony-winning Broadway production of MJ: The Musical, means that this multi-hyphenate can, has, and will see it all.
As it stands, MJ: The Musical is one of the those once-in-a-lifetime shows where you’ll admire every element and moment throughout; From the backing vocals of the ensemble members all the way down to the craftsmanship of the sets and when you least expect it, Ayana Jackson has a way of grounding the audience while performing timeless songs such as ‘I’ll Be There’. It’s true! Listen to her voice and you’ll be transported back in time where the music of Michael Jackson and his family most likely filled the rooms of your home.
On this Tuesday afternoon in October, Jackson unveiled her professional journey with me. How she stewards her gift with grace, humility, and of course, a touch of humor to keep joy alive along the way and invites us to see the vulnerability and resilience that seek to both shape and elevate her art.
Tiara Starks: You’ve performed with some legendary talent in the music industry: CeCe Winans, John Legend, Chaka Khan. How did it feel to be a part of those legendary talents’ performances and then embody a character that's singing as yourself?
Ayana Jackson:It was, of course, inspiring because being at the forefront and being an artist are things I aspire to myself. Having those years of experience, where I could learn from them, was amazing. I got to see some of their processes, especially how they prepare for performances and the differences in the way they perform. Some were much more structured in their performances, while others were more spontaneous, just vibing and letting things happen as they did. I took a little bit from each of them and incorporated it into my own style and approach.
That translated into this opportunity, where I get to use my voice, to some extent. Singing Broadway is still new to me, and it requires a few adjustments in terms of my expression and singing style, but overall, it's still me—my heart and soul that I'm putting into it. That's where the overlap is: whether I'm singing background or taking the lead, I always put my heart and soul into it. I love what I do in all its aspects, and working with those artists definitely helped me cultivate my own artistry 100%.
TS: "I see that in your performance. Audiences know her as the matriarch who had to balance and sacrifice within her family, especially under Joe [Jackson's] intense influence. We also know that she was, and is, a woman of resilience. Do you think about that when you're performing?
AJ: Absolutely. I'm a mom, so I understand what that maternal instinct feels like and what it's like to want the best for your children—even when it hurts to help them and make sacrifices. I think that’s something all good mothers do. In addition, I tried to tap into both the strength and the softness, because she's a very soft woman but also incredibly strong in her convictions. She's strong in her protection of her children and in supporting them in whatever they want to do. Finding that balance between strength and softness was the most important thing for me.
TS: There are moments in the show where we see Katherine Jackson with young Michael. "One of those being during the "I'll be There" number after seeing the montage of the Jackson 5 performing. It really touched me. It's one of the more emotional performances in the show. What was it about "I'll Be There" that made it so resonant for you?
AJ:Not only the fact that I'm a mom, but also I am a child. I'm a child of God [so] the parent-child relationship, father-child relationship, and the God-disciple relationship all correlates with me. There are moments where I would sing and I would think of my daughter. There are moments where I would think of my own mother. There are moments where I think about God and knowing that in all those instances, and knowing that God is saying to me, ‘Just call my name and I'll be there’. I'm going to get emotional already, but it is. It's comforting. It is strengthening. It gives me courage. That is exactly what I feel Katherine wanted to do for Michael, at that moment. That's what I seek to do for, honestly, the audience is to convey that relationship and that the dependability of not only a parent, but of God.
TS: I really appreciate that and it's okay to get emotional.
AJ: It gets me.
TS: This show does mark your Broadway debut. I was, one: Surprised when I first heard that: ‘There's no way this is her Broadway debut., It [seems] natural. Having the time to become accustomed to the strenuous schedule of performing, how do you decompress from a run each week?
AJ: Oh, good question. How do I decompress? I decompress every day as I'm going to work; As I'm coming from work. My car has become my sanctuary. Spending time with my husband, sometimes doing absolutely nothing or just watching some mindless TV. My schedule is pretty crazy. In addition to Broadway right now, because I'm in school and I'm an entrepreneur and I'm building a business. There's a lot going on. Just having moments of stillness and, of course, prayer. My relationship with God and that car. That car is special.
TS: We all know the Jackson family's eminence within music and culture. We see Michael, who is this huge global superstar. We're seeing him humanized through all the experiences that he's gone through. Particularly, I love that in the show, the story [talks about] the family unit and the sacrifices. Since we talked about resilience, what do you hope audiences take away from the story of Michael and who we see?
AJ: I hope that people take away who you see beyond the glitz and glam of his life; That you see his humanity and that you see even Joseph's humanity. There's a moment where, in ‘I'll Be There’. I don't want to spoil it for anybody, but there is a moment where Katherine gives background as to Joe and what makes him push the boys the way that he does. It humanizes him. It lets you know that there's a reason behind it and there's also love behind it, ironically, whether you can actually see it at first or not, but it humanizes them. Michael, in particular, deserved that. He deserves to be seen as a person and as someone that wasn't one dimensional. The show definitely tells his story in a really beautiful and authentic way.
TS: There's multiple moments throughout the production where we're seeing [and hearing] a lot of songs that are very iconic. There's just a great ensemble too. Is there a moment in the production, whether you're on stage or in the wings that has become your personal favorite?
AJ: I have so many favorites because—shoutout to my cast—they’re amazing. Every single one of them is incredible. One of the highlights of walking into the Neil Simon Theatre isn't just the fact that I’m on Broadway, telling Michael Jackson's story, but also the people I get to do it with. I absolutely adore them. They’re golden both onstage and off. They’re just amazing. So, shoutout to my cast!
To answer your question, I have several favorites. "Human Nature" is one of them—it’s such a beautiful number. "Thriller," of course. And I have to say, "I’ll Be There"—shameless plug! There are so many memorable moments. Honestly, even after being in the show for three years, there are still moments I see for the first time and think, "Oh my God, I didn’t know they did that!" It always blows my mind. It’s just amazing, and they are amazing. I feel really blessed, both onstage and off.
TS: I can't even imagine being in the wings!
AJ: I'm back there screaming sometimes because [the cast members] do something a little different in a show; I'm their biggest fan. All of them.
TS: Oh, it's incredible! I thought about it afterwards: ‘They're doing this eight shows a week!
AJ:They are superheroes.
TS: In a previous interview, you mentioned ‘choosing bravery every day’. For aspiring musical theater artists, especially those portraying real-life figures, how do you balance the pressure of staying true to the person while also making the role your own? How do you handle the critics, or do you focus more on your performance and put that aside?
AJ:I don't! I don't deal with it at all, honestly. It's something that I don't even think about. I don't know if God just put some kind of, like, force field around me and my brain that it's not a thought or a concern. I know that when I go out there, I'm going to leave a deposit. That's really what my goal is, is to leave people with something they didn't know they needed. And with that, I mean, you can. I don't know if people criticize or have something against it, but if they do, that is not my problem. I'm doing my job, literally and figuratively. I'm doing what I'm here to do.
CURTAIN CALL CONFESSIONS
Song on Repeat: Ooh. I would say anything…Alex Isley. I'm a big Alex Isley fan. I just love her voice.
Do you listen to her prior to the show or do you kind of like when it comes to the show?: Sometimes I do. Her music is pretty mellow. If I want to get hype for the show, I'll listen to like Tye Tribbett or something that's a little more energetic: Kirk Franklin. I'll listen to something a little more high energy.
What's your favorite post-show treat or meal?: Maybe I might sound like the old lady that I am, but I love hard shell peanuts. My husband, he is my witness. Every night I get a bowl of hard shell peanuts and I will sit in front of the television and just crunch and munch and let my mind go blank. Even if I'm working because I'm building a business right now. After the show, I'll come home and I'll be on my laptop, but I have to have my peanuts and a Coke Zero and life is good.
What’s a pet peeve that would surprise people?: One of my pet peeves is just [not having] basic common courtesy. If people don't say "please" or "thank you," or if they walk into a room and don't say "hello," it’s like—come on, at least say "Hi," "You're welcome," or "Excuse me." That’s one of my biggest pet peeves: the lack thereof.
Is there a TV show that you’re binging right now?:[Tyler Perry’s] Beauty in Black. The verdict is still out, I will say. The storyline itself is kind of crazy, but I'm really enjoying the acting and I'm loving, I'll say, the aesthetic, because the people are beautiful, and I'm really into hair, so to see the women's hair looking good and laid, I'm excited for them.
Would you rather have a million dollars or have dinner with Jay-Z?: People aren't going to like my answer, but I would probably...that's really tough because if I had a million dollars, I would know what to do with it, but then if I met Jay Z, he might tell me more intricate ways to multiply my millions. I would try to see if I can get a record deal or something out of it, too. Only if my husband can come. Is it like a mastermind meeting or are we just sitting and chatting because I need to pick his brain on some things. I need to know that it's going to be truthful.
I'll go with Jay Z because I realize the beauty in relationships, the importance of relationships.Relationships have helped to get me to where I am now so to meet someone like Jay Z and like I said, pick his brain. There's no telling where that could get me next. Money comes and goes, but relationships, those can absolutely be life impacting. I'll go with that one. Jay-Z.
