SHEEN Exclusive: Jayln Hall on The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins and Growing Up in the Spotlight

If you’ve been watching Jaylen Barron since his early days on All American, you already know there’s something undeniable about him. But the Jaylen stepping into this next chapter is sharper, more self-aware, and as it turns out, genuinely hilarious. The 19-year-old is trading in the grounded drama of the football field for the fast-paced world of comedy, holding his own alongside legends Tracy Morgan and Daniel Stern in his latest project. We caught up with Jaylen to talk about comedic timing, growing up on screen, and why people are always surprised to see him at the party.

You came up through All American, which is grounded and dramatic. What was it like stepping into more of a comedic world?

It was a welcome change of pace. I really want to have a lot of diversity throughout my career, and I feel like this was definitely that next step — “Okay, we’re doing comedy now.” It was definitely a faster tempo, and that was something I learned in the audition process. The comedic timing is very evident even in the script when you’re reading it. It was something I was super open to learning and mastering. I’m still on my way, but luckily I have legends in the comedic business alongside me to help guide me. It was a fun change.

How would you describe Carmelo’s relationship with his father at the start of the series?

He sees his father as his superhero. He loves him and really just wants to be there for him in any way, shape, or form. It’s not so much about rehabilitating his image — it’s getting the world to see his father how Carmelo sees his father, and mostly getting his father to see himself in that same light. He’s doing whatever he can; he’s there for his family. He’s kind of a caretaker in a way — he’s still the child and wants to reap all the benefits of being the baby boy, but then he also has to give that look to the camera like, “Yeah, this is crazy. I see what’s happening here.”

What was it like working with Tracy Morgan and Daniel Stern? And we have to know — who made you laugh more on set?

If it’s a competition, it’s impossible to count because they’re hilarious in such individual ways. Tracy is himself a thousand percent of the time. Even just kicking it in his trailer or at a table read, there’s bound to be at least three times you fall out of your seat laughing. It’s a genuine laugh because he’s so personable — he feels like a family member. Now, Daniel is surgically funny for absolutely no reason, and he’s serious about it. He’ll just be having a conversation with you and say something, and everyone around him is like, “You are hilarious,” and he’s so modest about it. His choices on screen are something to marvel at. It’s like talking to your roommate in a dorm, laughing all day and learning too. I’ve learned so much from them both.

You’ve quite literally grown up on screen. What do you want people to see in you now that they might not have seen during your All American days?

I’ve definitely stepped into a new era in my life, even behind the scenes — growing, learning, experiencing life, and having fun while doing it. I’m really figuring out who I am as a person, and I hope that translates on camera. That’s why I’m really big on diversity. When you’re in the public eye, especially in acting, you give a piece of yourself to the public. I hope the pieces of me they get from day to day are something that sticks with them and can inspire, entertain, and maybe even change their mindset.

What’s something you think fans would be surprised to know about you?

I like to hang out. The number one thing I get when I’m out and about is people asking, “Where’s your mom at?” or “What are you doing here?” And I’m like, “This is a college party — I’m 19.” I think it’s because everybody has watched me grow up, so they still have that child mindset, and then it’s like, “Oh my God, you are really grown.” The other day I went to my auntie’s 70th birthday party and I was in there kicking it with the grown folks, dancing and vibing. People were saying, “I remember when you were this little.” I think people would be surprised to know I have a great social life.

The post SHEEN Exclusive: Jayln Hall on The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins and Growing Up in the Spotlight first appeared on SHEEN Magazine.