You probably remember Skai Jackson as the adorable, sassy Zuri Ross on Disney’s Jessie. She was the face of a thousand memes and the girl every Gen Z kid wanted to be. But lately, the conversation around her has shifted from red carpets to courtrooms and family drama. At the center of it all is a relationship that has been the backbone of her career since she was literally an infant: the bond with her mother, Kiya Cole.
People love a good "stage mom" narrative. They want to know if it's a Kris Jenner situation or something more complicated. Honestly, it’s both. For over two decades, Kiya Cole hasn't just been Skai’s mother; she’s been her manager, her protector, and, at times, her loudest defender in the brutal arena of social media.
But as 2024 and 2025 rolled around, that bond faced its heaviest testing ground yet. Between a high-profile arrest, a pregnancy that shocked the internet, and a terrifying domestic violence situation, fans have been left wondering where the line between "protective mother" and "manager" actually sits.
The Foundation: From Post Office to Paramount
Kiya Cole didn’t set out to be a Hollywood mogul. Back in Staten Island, she was working for the post office. When Skai was only nine months old, people kept telling Kiya how cute her baby was. Most moms just say "thanks" and go about their day. Kiya sent photos to agencies.
Two weeks later, Skai was signed. She never stopped working.
By the time Skai was nine, they moved to Los Angeles for Jessie. This wasn't a hobby; it was a life overhaul. Kiya has been very vocal about the fact that she resigned from her job to manage Skai full-time. "I want to protect her," she told Premiere years ago. That protection meant monitoring every tweet and vetos on every contract.
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It worked for a long time. Skai avoided the typical "Disney star meltdown" for years. She was the "poised" one. She wrote a book (Reach for the Skai). She stayed out of the tabloids. But as every child star knows, the transition to adulthood is never a straight line, especially when your mom is also your boss.
2024: The Turning Point
Things got messy in August 2024. Skai was arrested at Universal Studios Hollywood on suspicion of domestic battery. The news hit the internet like a freight train. According to reports, security saw a public altercation between Skai and her then-boyfriend, Deondre Burgin.
While the Los Angeles County District Attorney eventually declined to file charges, the incident peeled back the curtain on Skai’s private life. She wasn't just the girl in the blue dress meme anymore. She was a woman in a volatile relationship.
Then came the pregnancy.
In November 2024, Skai confirmed she was expecting her first child. The internet reaction was... intense. People were worried. Deondre (who goes by "Yerky Yerky" online) wasn't exactly a fan favorite. Rumors swirled about his past and his intentions. Through all of this, Kiya Cole stayed in the "protection" pocket, though the strain was starting to show.
Motherhood and the May 2025 Crisis
Skai gave birth to her son, Kasai, in January 2025. For a moment, it looked like things might settle into a new "normal."
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It didn't.
In May 2025, the situation turned dark. Skai filed for a restraining order against Burgin, alleging a horrific pattern of abuse. The court documents were gut-wrenching. She claimed he had punched her in the face while she was holding their infant son. She alleged he had tried to force her to terminate her pregnancy by drinking bleach.
Where was Kiya during this?
She was where she’s always been: on Instagram. As the news broke, Kiya shared a cryptic but supportive message about the truth always coming to light. But the public's eyes turned on her, too. Some critics argued that as a manager-mom, she should have seen the signs. Others defended her, noting that you can’t control an adult daughter's heart, no matter how many emails you answer for her.
What people get wrong about Kiya Cole
- She isn't just "living off" Skai: Kiya has built her own brand, focusing on cooking and lifestyle content, though Skai remains her primary focus.
- She isn't a silent observer: Whether it was the infamous Azealia Banks Twitter feud (where Kiya gave Skai "permission" to clap back) or the current legal battles, Kiya is involved.
- The "Manager" vs. "Mom" struggle: This is the nuance people miss. When your daughter is your client, how do you discipline her? When your client is your daughter, how do you tell her her boyfriend is dangerous without pushing her away?
The Current State of the Union
As of 2026, the relationship between Skai Jackson and her mom seems to be in a "rebuilding" phase. They’ve appeared on magazine covers together—like the Deeper Than Hair Mother’s Day issue—twinning in denim and talking about their "inseparable bond."
But the "inseparable" part is exactly what makes fans nervous.
There is a fine line between a supportive parent and a "momager" who can't let go. Skai has credited her mom with her confidence, saying she wouldn't know how to stand up for herself without Kiya’s guidance. Ironically, Skai had to use those exact "stand up for yourself" tools to escape a domestic violence situation and navigate the legal system as a young mother.
The reality is that Skai is 23 now. She’s a mom. She’s a survivor of a very public, very traumatic relationship. The dynamic with Kiya has to shift from "guardian and ward" to "peers and partners."
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Moving Forward: Lessons from the Skai Jackson Story
If you're following this story, it’s easy to get lost in the gossip. But there are real takeaways here regarding family businesses and child stardom.
- Professional Boundaries Matter: Even in families, having a third-party business manager can save the personal relationship. When the person who tells you "no" to a boyfriend is also the person who writes your checks, resentment is almost guaranteed.
- The "Strong Black Woman" Trap: Both Kiya and Skai have spoken about being "fearless" and "strong." Sometimes, that pressure to be unbreakable makes it harder to ask for help when things go wrong behind closed doors.
- The Digital Paper Trail: Everything Kiya and Skai do is documented. This provides safety in terms of public record (like the restraining order), but it also means they never get to heal in private.
If you’re a fan of Skai, the best thing to do isn’t to pick a side between her and her mom. It’s to recognize that they are navigating a transition that is difficult for any family, let alone one under the microscope of 20 million followers.
Keep an eye on Skai’s upcoming acting projects. She’s clearly trying to pivot back to her craft and leave the "baby mama drama" headlines in 2025. As for Kiya, she’s likely to remain the power behind the throne—just maybe with a little more distance as Skai finds her footing as a mother herself.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Facts: Before sharing "tea" about their relationship, look for primary sources like court filings or direct interviews.
- Support the Work: If you want to see Skai move past her "viral" era, engage with her professional content and upcoming film roles rather than just the tabloid updates.
- Understand the Nuance: Recognize that a mother-daughter relationship in Hollywood is a business, a friendship, and a survival tactic all rolled into one.