Simeon Daise, who portrays Jabari on The CW/Netflix‘s All American, is no stranger to the entertainment scene. He and his family co-starred in Nickelodeon’s hit television show Gullah Gullah Island as children. Since then, he’s spent his time honing his skills as an actor, playwright, director, and singer/songwriter while studying under the mentorship of famous actors and filmmakers, including his parents, Ron and Natalie Daise.
His cultural influences have inspired his personal work, which centers around Afro-futurism: The reimagining of black culture through the lens of black people. He’s dedicated to telling stories that defy stereotypes and immerse viewers in a world of endless possibilities. Simeon’s daily routine also includes health, fitness, and mindfulness. Simeon is a trained Reiki master and performs Capoeria, a Brazilian martial art. As an American Football player, he knows how crucial it is to stay in shape both physically and psychologically.
We had the pleasure to discuss with him about his work and his passions at Flanelle.
We are really honoured to have you on Flanelle Magazine Simeon. Could you introduce yourself and your work to our readers?
I’m Simeon Daise. Born and bred in the lowcountry of South Carolina. I’m a multi-hyphenate creative. I started acting at a young age, and I continue to pursue it.
You started your career in the 90s with Nickelodeon’s hit television show Gullah Gullah Island alongside your family. With the benefit of hindsight, what did you learn from this early experience in the film industry?
It taught me how to highlight and prioritize where I’m from. Being that I started so early I’m able to be more grounded in who I am and my beliefs. I have a clearer vision of what I want from this industry.
You made your debut FX’s Snowfall – which is a series exploring very touchy but actual topics about the lives of Afro-Americans communities. Is it important to you to be part of these kinds of conversations? And why?
Well, the streets love Snowfall! It’s important to highlight real people in real places. Although television definitely adds a bit of fantasy for dramatic effect, viewers enjoy watching things they can relate to. It’s important to me to be a part of projects that reflect the culture and community in an authentic way.
You are currently portraying the role of Jabari on the CW/Netflix show All American. How would you describe your character in this series?
Jabari is the underdog that everyone wants to see win. He’s relatable, vocal, and doesn’t back down from a challenge. He represents all the youth that get overlooked because their past isn’t squeaky clean. I feel like Jabari is the hero that people never saw coming.
You are the first recipient of the Inaugural Rising Star Award at the Beaufort Film Festival. Do you feel it is an important step in your career?
It’s definitely a monumental one. I’m honored to be acknowledged in this way from my hometown.
You are working on an ongoing project Saltwata Vibes, a full-length documentary which explores Gullah Geechee Afro-Futurism. The project aims to follow the ”generation of Gullah Geechee as they face the challenge of finding an identity when you are born within a culture, that is within a culture, that is within a culture.” Why was it important for you to document such processes and life experiences?
As a Geechee native I feel it’s important that we find and provide clarity on who and what we are. There are a lot of false narratives circulating about the culture that need to be addressed and rewritten. Gullah culture has been a topic of interest amongst tourists and scholars for some time, but the attention that it’s garnered hasn’t always been a true reflection of the culture as a whole. The documentary is a chance to provide a more expansive view on what it means to be Gullah Geechee.
The notion of Afro-Futurism is recurrent in your work. What does the concept mean to you? How does it express itself in your life on a daily basis?
Afro-Futurism to me is the reimagining of black people beyond systemic limitations and outdated narratives. A space where we control our narratives and envision new possibilities for ourselves.
You are determined to create stories that break the rules and challenge outdated narratives. Why is using alternative narratives crucial to you?
Narratives shape reality. I think the world deserves stories that allow them to dream of new possibilities.
If you’d like to follow Simeon, you can do it here
Photographer: Jaivron Joseph – @jaivronjoseph// Stylist: Kayla BellPR // Rep: 13 Publicity