Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant and Expecting First Baby (Exclusive)

Skai Jackson is going to be a mother!

The former Disney star, 22, is expecting her first baby with her boyfriend (whom Jackson has not publicly named), PEOPLE confirms exclusively.

“I’m excited to begin this new chapter in my life – embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!” Jackson tells PEOPLE.

Jackson next stars in the feature film The man in the white van. She recently attended Comic-Con to support the film, which hits theaters on December 13th.

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As she prepares to become a mother herself, Jackson is also close to her mother, Kiya Cole, who raised the actress as a single mother.

“[My mom] “She always taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for what I believe in and fight for what is right,” she told PEOPLE in February 2023. “I thank her for that because without her I probably wouldn’t have much of the confidence that I have now.”

The former child star admitted that being a role model comes with “a lot of pressure,” adding: “At the end of the day, I think of myself as the normal person that people just like or enjoy.”

Still, she said, “It’s very important for me to give the right message, be positive at all times and give good advice to my fans. Let them know that whatever they want to do in life, they can achieve it.”

Jackson, best known for his role as Zuri Ross Jessie and its spin-off bunk bed, published her book, Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clap Back in 2019 and was published on Dancing with the stars in 2020.