Meet Jazzmyne Jay | Creative Producer & Libra

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jazzmyne Jay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jazzmyne, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
It’s kind of wild, but actually very Libra of me, but on a day-to-day level I am trying to be RISK FREE! I want the easiest daily experience I could ever have. When it comes to career though, I realize that I am out here really taking risks and betting on myself. When I look back at my career, I think about moving to Los Angeles absolutely broke and alone but knowing that I wanted to pursue fashion and just making it happen. From then about 2 years later on my 25th birthday I was faced with making a major career decision: Option A) I was offered a full time, salary and benefits job, in a factory looking over the creative for a company who made false eye lashes and nail polish OR option B) I take an internship at 25 years old at a digital media company and learn how to make videos for the internet. DEFINITELY a risk but I felt it in my body to go with my option B and from then on I just continued to take risks on betting on myself and my mind with how I want to show up and essentially brand myself–because honestly, I had NO CLUE what I was doing. I still don’t for real but what I can say for me is, listening to my body and actually giving myself space and time to decide has never let me down.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Whew okay–what a deep question! I think when it comes to the content I make, I have always been pretty transparent and real because I am SUCH a terrible actor! I think for so long in child-hood I tried to assimilate and blend in with my surroundings and though I tried so hard, I was really not one who fit in a lot–whether it was looks, lifestyle, or mind-set, and that is why I struggle so much “putting on an act” now. When making my content I make it a point to talk about how I truly feel, show the ups and downs, and even prove to myself that my mind can change mid-way through a video or project. The thing I am most proud about in my career so far is that I have learned and allowed myself to follow my body and my mind–truly staying in touch with who I am and what I want to show to the public. As far as opportunity wise, gosh I have done some things that I NEVER in a million years thought I would ever do. I’ve walked New York Fashion Week, I have modeled for Rihanna, I have interviewed Mariah Carey and worked with Lizzo, spoke on so many panels, and I’ve had a literal billboard with Netflix-IT IS SO LITERALLY WILD TO THINK ABOUT! Don’t get me wrong these are all dreams, but I think something that I am most proud of is sustaining the friendships and support of the people who follow me. Again, never thought this was ever a position to even be in, and I am so grateful for it.
Was it easy?! Not often. I’ve grown to learn a lot about my mental health during the last 10 years of being on the internet. We all know that the internet can be a really cruel place, and it has not spared me, but it has also forced me to be in touch with myself and to know my boundaries and what feels good for me, my body, and my mind. Some lessons I am walking away with from my career and life during this time is to be more gentle with myself and to support people in being more gentle to others. There are a lot of people going through it, and that does not take away from what we are going through either, but we can all at least just recognize and empathize with one another. Something else that I have learned during this time is that I am more than my job. I like my job and am proud of all the content that I have done, people I have spoken to (in real life or through the screen), but when it comes down to it–I can and will do any career and be successful in it because I want to be; this job does not make or break who I am.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
WOW! Okay! So first, we would definitely be doing breakfast at my top 3 favorites places: Cj’s Cafe on Pico for the catfish breakfast, République for the bread and jam, and California Donuts for the donuts duh BUT especially for the sausage breakfast sandwich on a croissant! For fun places, I would 100% take them to Hi-Tops in Los Feliz on Monday night for Trivia-they have great food and drinks and a great atmosphere! We would also definitely hit up Highland Park like Proud Mary Fashion which is the best plus-size thrift boutique ever and my other fave store Crush and Touch Art Supply–which has the cutest trinkets and art supplies! We would also go to karaoke in K-Town, to see a movie at Alamo Drafthouse DownTown LA, and make sure they come on a weekend when Thick Thrift LA is up because it’s the hottest plus-size flea market ever! Now going outdoor isn’t my FAVORITE, but we would have to go see something! We would definitely hit up The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens, the Culver City Stairs, and at least walk the trail from Santa Monica Pier to Venice. Lastly, for places to eat outside of Breakfast, we would be hitting up Quarters for KBBQ, Leo’s Taco Truck on La Brea, Honey Kettle for fried chicken and biscuits in Culver City, Fred’s 62 for the date shake and tator tots, and one night we will be ordering Joe’s Pizza! Sounds like a good week to me!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Okay we are gonna be here a while! 1) Shoutout to my fellow creatives who taught me how to literally make content and believed in every wild idea I had: Curly, Lindsay, Daysha, Yessica, Chrissy, Eugene, Chantel, AG, Thespi, Adriana, Sarah–all had a really big part in my life when I was trying to figure out me and my voice. 2) Shoutout to the people paved the road before me and inspired me to show up as myself: Gabi, Kellie B., Jessica Torres, Nicolette Mason, Kelly Augustine. 3) Shoutout to my day ones (hahaha) but seriously, the people that have been nothing but real and there for me when I couldn’t be there even for myself: Jilly, Kendall, Julius, Brandi, Kiara, Kaley, Jules, Joyce, Megan–ya’ll have such a special place in my heart. 4) Of course my family because I know they have sat here and thought, “I have no clue what she is doing but SHE IS DOING IT!”: my parents, my puppy brother, my Aunts Tasha, Nicci, and Net, my uncles David and Derek, and my cousins Taylor and Kaitlyn. 5) Last and the most important: my Spouse, K8. Not only are they one of the most special people that I have ever met in my life, but their love, passion, and support for me feels never ending. They are the most beautiful part of me and I am thankful every day to share space and life with them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazzmynejay/

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thiiiiktok

Image Credits
On photos 1 (close up face with green headscarf), 4 (wedding photo in casino), and 5 (photo sitting on couch) is from Julianny Casado.