LOS ANGELES — Those who have seen the Spectrum Originals show “LA’s Finest” or the Showtime hit series “The Chi” might recognize Jasmine Davis. The actress moved to Los Angeles more than 10 years ago to pursue her dreams, but like many, 2020 forced her to look deeply within.
Davis said modeling is when she feels most beautiful, because in a world of labels, fashion has none.
“Fashion is your expression. It’s what you want. What you want to express; who you are,” Davis said.
She has a lot to say, but it’s been quite a journey to reach this confidence.
Davis was thrilled when she first landed a role in the popular Showtime series “The Chi,“ which mirrored her own inner city Chicago upbringing.
But it would also mean coming out publicly as a transgender woman and when the show aired, she wasn’t prepared for the transphobic hate she’d receive.
“I didn’t know that I was just supposed to like brush my feelings off and pretend like everything was OK when inside, I was ... I was unhappy,” Davis said through tears.
Fans of the show sent death threats over social media, many enraged by her LGBTQ character, Imani. It was unfamiliar territory for Davis, who says being this character became more challenging than being herself. Her own family and friends had always been supportive before and during her transition several years ago.
But now, Davis is grateful for the experience. It lead her to self love and acceptance.
“You don’t have to be like anyone but yourself. You’re a unique human being and once you accept and understand that, life gets better, all the pressure goes away,” she explained.
Now she’s focused on what truly matters to her, diving into her true passion as an artist.
Writing music has been her outlet since she was 12 years old and she’s ready to share her voice with the world.
She said when you set out with intention, the universe will conspire to help you manifest what you want. It led her to Grammy award-winning producer, Damon Elliott. His work with Pink, Destiny’s Child and some of the biggest artists in the industry cover his walls.
“My mom’s motto is, ‘Be who you are,’” Elliott said. “You can’t be anyone else, and she’s doing exactly that.”
A big comparison, as his mother is the legendary Dionne Warwick.
But as things come together for Davis, she said she’s really just doing this to inspire others, including the mothers who DM her with questions about their transgender kids and for the fans who thank her for merely existing.
“I know now, even if I had any doubt that I am doing the right thing by just being me,” she said.
Because that’s all any of us can really be anyway, and in that lies true beauty.