Jessi Case is a young and talented actress who has made waves in the entertainment industry with her versatile and captivating performances. She stars in the new feature film “On a Wing and a Prayer” alongside Hollywood icons Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham, set to release on Prime Video on April 7th. Jessi also stars in the hit show “9-1-1 Lone Star” opposite Rob Lowe and Gina Torres, as well as the upcoming HBO Max pilot “Wildlife” from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
What sets Jessi apart as an actress is her ability to bring something different to every role she takes on, embodying a chameleon-like approach to her craft. Much like Meryl Streep, Jessi can touch on her method when it comes to acting and bring a unique perspective to each character she portrays. She seamlessly transitions between television and film, showcasing her range and commitment to the art of acting.
Jessi’s impressive body of work includes the star-studded film “Mother’s Day,” where she starred alongside Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston, and Julia Roberts. She has also appeared in Blumhouse’s “American Refugee,” Apple+’s “Defending Jacob,” and Hulu/Blumhouse’s anthology series “Into the Dark: School Spirit.”
Beyond her passion for acting, Jessi is deeply committed to advocacy work, specifically for animal welfare, the environment, and organizations that support Guillain-Barre, a disease her sister nearly died from. Her advocacy work reflects her deep-rooted values and commitment to making the world a better place.
In this interview, we had the opportunity to dive deeper into Jessi’s personal and professional life. From her childhood memories to her approach to preparing for different roles, Jessi provides insightful and inspiring answers that shed light on what it takes to be a successful and grounded actress in today’s entertainment industry.
Flanelle : Hello Jessi and thank you for taking the time to speak with us! We’d love to know more about you, can you tell us a little bit about your childhood up until you started becoming an actress?
Jessi : Hi! Of course, thanks for having me! I feel like I was an actor even before I got into the craft professionally. My mom championed my siblings and me in following our passions which is really special. As a kid, I put on plays and recitals for my family, they were very patient – those performances were lengthy. I watched soaps with my grandma and made matzo ball soup with my mom. My sister and I sang together and tie-dyed old clothes, and my brother and I played soccer. We did a lot, lots of artsy stuff. Made home movies. We did the whole back-and-forth from coast-to-coast thing so my growing up felt like an adventure.
Why do you believe going back and forth from LA to Atlanta has played a key part in keeping you grounded?
Being reminded where you started is grounding. I like to honor little me by staying with that childlike wonder and a part of that is seeing the magic in everything around me and appreciating it. I think that’s something we should all aim to do because chances are, you’re either on your way, or you’re exactly where little you dreamed of being.
As an actress who has played a variety of roles, how do you prepare for a role that may be vastly different from anything you have done before?
It’s different for each role but I can make more sense of a character if I have specific details about them. Most of that is taking what the writers have given and filling in the blanks. I like to visualize – I might take myself through a typical day in the life of whoever I’m playing, really walk in their shoes, and feel their feels. A vast imagination is a big asset in art. So, I like to let my mind wander on a character or a world and make sure those ideas are in line with what the writer(s), director(s), producer(s), and team have in mind.
You have acted in both film and television. How do you approach your roles differently in each medium?
Series tend to move pretty fast but, overall, you have more time to let the story unfold and reveal bits of your character in a show. Which keeps you on the edge of your seat as the audience and is quite gratifying as an artist, to really sink your teeth in. In film, the plot and characters must be established quickly because there’s less time to tell the story which makes every moment carry more weight; also very exciting as an actor. Regardless of the format, the focus is to stay true to the vision, the story, and the character.
What was it like working with Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham on the set of “On a Wing and a Prayer”?
It was special. Dennis and Heather have had long careers and they’re still working their tails off. Their growth as actors is a testament to the fact that talent and skill can continue to develop and evolve over time. It’s cool to see performers like them who have been in the industry for many years continue to put in the work and deliver.
Can you tell us about your character in “Wildlife” and how you approached playing her? What can viewers expect from your character?
Kaci is a hard nut to crack. She’s unlike anyone I’ve played before, so it’s been an exploration. The tone of the show is also pretty heightened. I’d expect to see an evolution.
Can you share with us a particular moment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
It’s hard to pin down one moment. But this is a tricky industry in general, it’s not a meritocracy. So, to keep going and stay sane is something to be proud of in itself. I think it’s important for actors’ sanity to focus on the story, and the art, to come prepared, to be respectful, and keep getting better and keeping the art alive. I guess that’s what I’m proud of myself for upholding and learning.
Can you talk about your advocacy work for animal-welfare and environmental conservation? What inspired you to get involved in these causes?
Ella Anderson, who played my little sister in a movie called Mother’s Day years ago, inspired me to dive deeper into how my daily habits affect the planet. I watched the documentary “Cowspiracy”, went down a rabbit hole of environmental and animal-advocating documentaries and cold-tofurkey changed my ways. Animal welfare and environmental conservation are causes that need big action to make waves. That said, I like to treat my actions as a chain reaction – it makes me more conscious of my own habits and rubs off on others. I think about future generations and how what we do or don’t do will severely affect them and that makes me want to do better.
You mentioned your sister’s battle with Guillain-Barre disease. Can you tell us more about this disease and why it’s important to raise awareness?
Raising awareness about GBS is important because it’s a rare condition that can be hard to diagnose. The exact cause is still unknown. My sister’s experience with GBS was a rollercoaster but she’s a trooper and now, she’s stronger than ever.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors and actresses who are just starting out in the industry?
As Denzel Washington says, “if you don’t fail, you didn’t even try” – so don’t be scared to try and fall on your face. Keep supportive, kind, uplifting people in your circle. Be respectful and be on time. Make your own projects – don’t wait around for a ‘yes’. Remember, you are not limited by the work you’ve done or haven’t done; keep getting better and so will the art.
Photos Credit :
Photographer – Adam Hendershott
Stylist – Anna Schilling
Hair & Makeup – Janelle Detina
