The former Disney star, 22, is expecting her first baby with her boyfriend (who Jackson has not publicly identified), PEOPLE confirms exclusively.
“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!” Jackson tells PEOPLE.
Jackson next stars in the feature film The Man in the White Van. She recently attended Comic-Con to support the film, which will be released in theaters on Dec. 13.
As she prepares to become a mother herself, Jackson is also close with her mom, Kiya Cole, who raised the actress as a single mother.
“[My mom] always taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for what I believe in and fight for what is right,” she told PEOPLE in February 2023. “I thank her for that because without her, I probably wouldn’t have a lot of the confidence that I do now.”
The former child star acknowledged being a role model comes with “a lot of pressure,” adding, “At the end of the day, I look at myself as the regular person that people just happen to like or enjoy.”
Still, she said, “It’s very important for me to put out the right message, be positive at all times and give my fans great advice. Let them know that anything that they want to do in life, they can achieve it.”
Jackson, who is best known for playing Zuri Ross on Jessie and its spinoff Bunk’d, released her book, Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower and Clapback in 2019 and appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2020.