Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Power Rangers Beast Morphers’ Jacqueline Scislowski

Actress Jacqueline Scislowski is a superhero both on and off the screen. She’s inspiring young boys and girls around the world to be courageous and confident through her role as Zoey Reeves, a.k.a. the Yellow Ranger, on Power Rangers Beast Morphers. Pop Culturalist caught up with Jacqueline to chat about being a part of the Power Rangers franchise, her character, and how she’s using her platform to champion her young fan base.

Career

PC: You’re an actress and a model. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Jacqueline: I was hooked after doing my first student film at the age of five. Filming had been the best time of my life and continues to be. I just knew this was the industry for me. I have always been a people watcher. I love the psychology of dissecting a script and getting into someone else’s mind. Finding my own truth within someone else’s story is a pretty crazy feeling and ultimately allows me to relate/sympathize with people in ways I never have thought I could. Bringing all of that work, rehearsing, and studying to the set and anticipating that first call of “action” always gives me such an adrenaline rush. There’s really no place like set to me. It’s my Disneyland.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Jacqueline: I feel like there have been so many things/people that have influenced my career. Growing up, my household was filled with goofiness and comedy. My dad would always bring home Abbott and Costello videotapes and watch them endlessly with me. I later discovered Dick Van Dyke (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Jim Carrey (The Mask), and Robin Williams (Jumanji, Mrs. Doubtfire). I was in love with their work and idolized how specific each of their styles were to them! For those reasons, my passion for improv and comedy has grown stronger ever since! However, I was also drawn to and inspired by Julie Andrews, Sandra Bullock (Speed), and Meryl Streep growing up, who were probably my biggest inspirations in film. Each actress and actor all influenced my love and passion for this industry in different ways. I still look up to them today and hope maybe one day I even have the honor to work with them!

Power Rangers Beast Morphers

PC: Tell us about Power Rangers Beast Morphers, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Jacqueline: Power Rangers Beast Morphers is about a group of regular kids who end up finding themselves in the position to be protectors against the evil dimension of monsters. I play Zoey, who starts off as a sort of underdog. She had always wanted to protect and help her community as best she could, and when finally finding herself in position to take on such an important role, she conquers her doubts and fears to become the Yellow Ranger. I love everything our show stands for, how it teaches kids about environmental issues, helps with finding your confidence, and shows how to navigate through many different friends/family dynamics. The overall positivity Power Rangers projects is what I love most about it. It is more than just about superheroes doing good, but it’s also about the power in all of us to do good in our own ways as well.

PC: What is it like being a part of such a large and historic franchise? Did that add any pressure while filming the series?
Jacqueline: Because of how impactful and special this franchise is to so many generations of people, being the Yellow Ranger didn’t just end once we wrapped. Continuing to inspire, support, and motivate the fans—as Zoey does on the show—is something I try to do with my platforms every day. It’s truly a special feeling knowing I am a superhero in the eyes of our young audience, and that is something I don’t take lightly. I am so proud to be a part of showing young girls and boys how to feel courageous, confident, and inspired! It definitely felt like big shoes to fill once finding out I had gotten this role, but if anything, it added fire to my determination to make this the best season of Power Rangers yet, for both the new fans and the OG fans!

PC: How similar or different are you to your character Zoey?
Jacqueline: Zoey and I are pretty similar. We both share the determination to be able to hold our own and to always be improving. We also both can be stubborn. [laughs] But we definitely always have the best intentions! I think really the only difference is you never really see a goofy side of Zoey which I definitely have. If you look at my Instagram page, you will surely understand. [laughs]

PC: You’ve previously trained in stunt work. How helpful was that when preparing for your role in Power Rangers Beast Morphers?
Jacqueline: I trained for about six months prior to the audition in stunts and martial arts-based combat, which was 100% coincidental but absolutely helped! Also, I had grown up playing soccer, dancing, and doing gymnastics, which really helped with being aware of my body control and picking up fight choreography. Once time came for filming, we were able to train with the Japanese and New Zealand stuntmen during our nine months, and I can definitely say, I now have a newfound passion for action/stunts as well!

PC: Power Rangers Beast Morphers is your first big role as a series regular. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What’s been the biggest takeaway?
Jacqueline: The speed and precision of which the crew and filming worked was way faster and more perfected than I knew a set could be! You had one take, you had thirty seconds between setups, and you had two cameras catching you in two different shots at all times. Try tapping your head, rubbing your belly, winking your left eye, and skipping all at once on the first try. That’s what it felt like. [laughs] There was no time to be unsure of myself or my work. I had to come onto set creativity blazing and confident that I knew what I was doing! Filming forty-four episodes in nine months meant I really had to trust my instincts and choices more than ever. After filming Rangers, I definitely think it gave me more confidence and a sense of freedom to play more with my material in future projects.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Jacqueline: New Girl and Scandal

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Jacqueline: Call Me by Your Name

PC: Favorite book?
Jacqueline: Can I say reading screenplays instead? [laughs]

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Jacqueline: Mamma Mia!

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Jacqueline: Rod Stewart and Gucci Mane [laughs]

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Jacqueline: Florence Pugh

To keep up with Jacqueline, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of Power Rangers Beast Morphers every Friday on Nickelodeon.

Photo Credit: Charlie McKee // Hair: Dylan Ambro // Makeup:Deborah Isshac // Makeup:Deborah Isshac // Location: Media Playground PR