Jaylen Barron has played a wide range of roles from her starring role as Zoe Phillips in the Netflix series “Free Rein” to Dominique Winslow in the hit show “Shameless.” She currently stars as Trish, a sex worker who wants to have her own business, in the STARZ series “Blindspotting,” working with veteran actress Helen Hunt. Season 2 premieres on April 14, 2023, showing a new side to Barron as her character, Trish, follows her dream.

Hat by Carol Kennelly
Dress by Nicole + Felicia
Jewelry by Anna Zuckerman
*Feathers featured here are 100% synthetic

What has influenced you to become an actress?
Acting chose me in a way. Of course, I loved participating in plays and performing, but because I was so young, I didn’t quite understand what it was. From the age of 5, I was always performing and it felt good to see an audience react to what I did. As I got older, I started watching different films like “How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days,” “Set it Off,” and “Titanic,” and I would think to myself “Wow, that looks so fun, I can do that.” Then I was fortunate enough to be blessed with an opportunity to start auditioning and I just never stopped.

How do you prepare for your roles?
I watch as many interviews or different shows as I can that have a similar character. I also watch reality TV to see who really has that kind of lifestyle. I study everything: how do they walk, eat, even down to the way they hold their posture. I put myself in the atmosphere they seem constantly to be in throughout a series and understand how I would react, then the next step would be figuring out how my character would react. I feel like with every character I play, there is a little part of me that relates to her. I dissect each role and enhance whatever side of me that is.

What has made your roles, from Zoe in “Free Rein” to now Trish in “Blindspotting,” unique?
Honestly, it is just the individuality of both of them: what makes them unique is that they are so simple. I feel as though we all have a friend similar to Zoe who is kind, brave, and nosy. Everyone probably also knows someone like Trish who is loud, unapologetic, and unpredictable. They are both capable of being loved the same amount, just in different ways. They’re just people, and there is someone out in the world exactly like them.

Red Dress by Fatale By Angie
Earrings by Reem Jano

Your previous roles have all been so different from each other, how do you get into these different mindsets to play these wide range of characters?
This speaks to my last answer with just understanding who this particular person is and putting myself in the atmosphere they are in. I ask myself is she constantly happy, sad, or having an internal battle? I try to get to the bottom of what this person’s secret is and how do I figure it out? It’s like a puzzle that I get to create.

Do you think that your previous roles have helped you develop your current role now as Trish?
My previous roles helped me in the sense of exercising my instrument and just getting better at my craft. I’m constantly in a state of learning and working to be a better version of the actress I was on the last set versus the next. This takes consistency, watching what flaws you may have had on the last job, and figuring out what you are able to fix on the next.

What has it been like working on the set for “Blindspotting” and how has it been different from your previous roles?
“Blindspotting” is so different for me because I’ve never been able to be as involved with what’s happening with my character, from her outfits, tattoos, even her dialogue at times. It’s been so freeing being able to express my artistic capabilities and be celebrated for it. The people on set aren’t just coworkers to me, they’re family, and I love them with all my heart. I’m always going to be by their side, any project they are thinking of creating I always want to support it and be a part of it.

How different was working on season 2 of “Blindspotting” compared to season 1?
I feel like I was more comfortable with my surroundings and the people, which allowed me to be in a more vulnerable place. Because of this, I was able to be more in tune with my character, instead of focusing on what everyone thought I might be doing wrong. It gave me true freedom.

**Left:**
Red Dress by Fatale By Angie
Earrings by Reem Jano
Shoes by CAMILLA GABRIELI
**Right:**
Dress + Shoes by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Reem Jano
Ring by Anna Zuckerman

With Trish going from sex worker to having her own business, what can we expect from her in this upcoming season?
I think the audience will see so much growth in her, not only with her business but with her personality. Of course, she’s the same Trish, but maybe even with a different temper.

How has Trish been evolving in terms of a character and as a person?
Just like all of us, she has evolved by making mistakes and learning from them. She’s only 23 so she doesn’t really know how to navigate life, I’m 25 and I don’t know everything so how could she? What I do appreciate about Trish is that when she’s wrong, she knows it and she takes accountability for that.

Top by Temraza Official
Skirt by RAFIK ZAKI DESIGNS
Shoes by RICAGNO
Earrings by Reem Jano

What do you want the audience to take away from Trish as a character?
Just be yourself! Especially with today’s standards, I feel like social media has the power to teach and take away. Teaching by having something in the palm of your hands that you can look up instantly and learn about: makeup, current events, recipes all the way down to building a whole house. But it also has the ability to take away someone’s natural character because that person is constantly watching how other people behave, not realizing it’s just for the camera. Trish has such a unique perspective on life that nobody on the outside can influence her, and that is so important when it comes to someone’s character. Please stop thinking social media is a real thing, and just be who you are not what they say is cool or how they think you should talk or dance. The whole point of being human is to be different from one another so we can all learn about each other and understand one another’s life.

How important do you think it is to highlight a character like Trish?
She’s a girl I’m sure a lot of us know, and if you don’t, then you get to understand how this person might think and have less judgment towards them. Unfortunately, in America, a lot of Black and brown people are running on survival mode and make decisions that ultimately might affect their future. But we can’t blame them or judge them for their choices because they are just trying to make it like everybody else. The only difference is the privilege that we weren’t able to have, not being able to get ahead or be the first choice. So, a person who has that privilege who might not hire someone who looks or acts like Trish might watch the show and see ”Wow I respect this girls hustle, she works hard and just wants to make it.” I personally would like to think that next time a situation like that comes up, someone similar to Trish might just be able to get that opportunity.

What should the audience look forward to the most in season 2 of “Blindspotting?”
Everything! It’s so different from season 1. The entire series is made with such love and passion that you really can’t miss!

**Left:**
Hat by Carol Kennelly
Dress by Nicole + Felicia
Jewelry by Anna Zuckerman
*Feathers featured here are 100% synthetic
**Right:**
Dress + Shoes by ANИAKIKI
Earrings by Reem Jano
Ring by Anna Zuckerman

What are some of your hobbies?
I love cooking, I can make something out of nothing. I also love entertaining and hosting guests, making special cocktails for my girls and cooking everybody’s favorite meal. Roller skating is something I’m learning right now, but my favorite hobby is watching TV with my dogs. I live for a good bag of Hot Cheetos with a glass of ice water and sitting on the couch with my fur babies to watch some reality TV. I might just go do that right now honestly.

Who are some of your role models?
My Mom is the strongest person I know. We don’t come from the best neighborhood but to see her make it out, along with my father and the life they built together, is admirable. She is such an amazing wife and mother, and she is constantly putting her family first, which, of course, is unfair to her sometimes, but she really can’t help it. I’m constantly trying to get her to take a break. She always knows how to make anything pretty, she even decorates for different themed holidays, and she just makes everything feel like a home. I really hope to be half the wife and mother she is when that time comes for me. Shoutout to EB for keeping everything all together.

Social Media.
@jaylenbarron

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Michael Vincent
Talent: Jaylen Barron
Fashion Stylist: Melvin Sanders
Hair: KaMaura Eley
Makeup: Raquel Moreno
Assistant Fashion Stylists: Giyea, Jac'leen
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Summer Safi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine