Jackie Tohn

IVEY LONG SLEEVE FITTED SUNBURST PLEATED MAXI DRESS
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Bon Bon Crystal Large Tear Drop Earring - Pewter by Alexis Bittar
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New York native Jackie Tohn is a renowned actress and writer. Jackie’s path to stardom started from her charismatic personality both on and off the screen. She is known for her roles in A Futile and Stupid Gesture, GLOW, and Sisters.

Jackie has been nominated for numerous awards. At FilmQuest 2022, the cast of Give Me An A was nominated for the Best Ensemble Cast - Feature. In 2018 and 2019, she was nominated for the Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Comedy Series for her role in GLOW. At the 2018 Gold Derby Awards, the GLOW cast was also nominated as the Ensemble of the Year.

Even as a young star, Jackie was a striking star. In 1995, she was a nominee for the Best Performance By A Youth Actress - TV Guest Star for her feature in The Nanny.

Jackie, from a young age, has been ecstatic about pursuing her creative passions and utmost authenticity. Reflecting upon her career and personal background, Jackie confides in relying on her instincts, trusting the process, and building relationships.

Jackie is currently promoting Nobody Wants This and The Floaters, engaging audience members into the comedic world.

Giovanna Dress by GEORGINE
Wrangler Blouse by GEORGINE
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Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
https://www.giuseppezanotti.com
Earrings by Mindi Mond New York
Tights by Stylist Own

Since a young age, you’ve been singing and acting. You’ve also been a semi-finalist on American Idol. Are there any early influences that inspired you to pursue singing and acting?
My mom is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met and a born performer. My dad is an incredible musician and singer /songwriter. That said, they were both physical education teachers in Brooklyn when I was growing up. But the artists inside each of them really shaped me into the person I am. As far as my movie/TV/stage idols, I was always very drawn to the overall entertainers like Bette Midler, Cher, and Gilda Radner - the women who could do it all.

Left:
Blouse by Ulla Johnson
https://ullajohnson.com
Corset top by HEIKE-NY Official at The Confessional Showroom
Alejandra Alonso Rojas SS25 Printed Ruffle Maxi Skirt https://alejandraalonsorojas.com
Shoes by Scarosso https://www.scarosso.com/it-us/
Ring by Exuberant at Flying Solo
Palm Leaf Earrings by Christina Caruso
Right:

Jenica Blouse, Marseille Mini Skirt, Cannes Pencil skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Fur Free Chinchilla Bolero by Et Ochs
Petite Plaid Blanc Socks by Les Belles https://lesbelles.co
Triple Hoop Earring by Christina Caruso

How do you proceed in developing a new character or starring in a new role?
I don’t really have a set process that I repeat with each new job. With Nobody Wants This, I would say that Esther came to life for me during my audition. Because I was trying different things and then I landed on what felt the most authentic to me. And then once you get the part and talk to the creatives and the director, the character gets more solidified. 

Giovanna Dress by GEORGINE
Wrangler Blouse by GEORGINE
www.georgine.com
Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
https://www.giuseppezanotti.com
Earrings by Mindi Mond New York
Tights by Stylist Own

What is the process of approaching different genres, such as comedy versus drama?
I approach most things pretty much the same. And I feel the least anxious when I am the most prepared. So that’s a big part of it for me. Because I can play around and make choices more freely in the moment when I know the scene like the back of my hand.

And I think often, even when I do drama, there is a bit of a wink and a nod to what I’m doing, so I like to be able to play within the scene. 

One big difference I guess is that in comedy, the creatives generally encourage or at least allow you to improvise. And it’s one of my favorite things to do. But with drama, of course, you’re not gonna improvise on the season premiere of NCIS when you’re playing a divorce attorney. You’re just gonna show up and do the work. They’re both very gratifying experiences in such different ways. 

ILAN BUTTON FRONT BLOUSE by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
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Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Houndstooth Sheer Tights. Made with Luxury microfiber blend (92% nylon, 8% elastane) to give you an ultra soft high breathability, four-way stretch, and sheer coverage by Commando
Coat by Ulla Johnson
https://ullajohnson.com
Lucite Molten Clip On Earring - Gold by Alexis Bittar
www.alexisbittar.com
Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti
https://www.giuseppezanotti.com

ILAN BUTTON FRONT BLOUSE by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
aliceandolivia.com
Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Houndstooth Sheer Tights. Made with Luxury microfiber blend (92% nylon, 8% elastane) to give you an ultra soft high breathability, four-way stretch, and sheer coverage by Commando
Coat by Ulla Johnson
https://ullajohnson.com
Lucite Molten Clip On Earring - Gold by Alexis Bittar
www.alexisbittar.com

What was the experience of filming the Netflix hit, Nobody Wants This
It was a wild ride for sure! So much laughing. So much friendship. And it felt very collaborative. If I had an idea for Esther, I felt very comfortable bringing it to the table. I felt very heard, which doesn’t happen on every show.

Do you have any memorable moments when filming on set? 
There are so many incredible memories from filming, but I especially loved making the Bat Mitzvah episode. I had a Bat Mitzvah when I was 13 years old and attended countless others. So to be a part of one that was going to be on television, representing my culture in that way just felt really cool.

Jenica Blouse, Marseille Mini Skirt, Cannes Pencil skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Fur Free Chinchilla Bolero by Et Ochs
Petite Plaid Blanc Socks by Les Belles @lesbelles.co https://lesbelles.co
Triple Hoop Earring by Christina Caruso
Item Description: Couturier Pump 105 / Paris Blue by Aquazzura
https://www.aquazzura.com/us_en

Jenica Blouse, Marseille Mini Skirt, Cannes Pencil skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Fur Free Chinchilla Bolero by Et Ochs
Petite Plaid Blanc Socks by Les Belles @lesbelles.co https://lesbelles.co
Triple Hoop Earring by Christina Caruso

Jenica Blouse, Marseille Mini Skirt, Cannes Pencil skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Skirt by L'AGENCE https://lagence.com/
Fur Free Chinchilla Bolero by Et Ochs
Petite Plaid Blanc Socks by Les Belles @lesbelles.co https://lesbelles.co
Triple Hoop Earring by Christina Caruso
Item Description: Couturier Pump 105 / Paris Blue by Aquazzura
https://www.aquazzura.com/us_en

You’ve worked alongside Kristen Bell before on Do Re & Mi. How did it feel to collaborate with Kirsten again for Nobody Wants This?
Fabulous. I know this is probably a pretty unique take, but Kristen is a funny, generous, delightful, kind, and brilliant woman. So working with her is a treat and a dream.

Out of all the characters you’ve played, which one do you feel the most connected to?
I think it’s a toss-up between Melrose on Glow and Esther on Nobody Wants This. They both have so much of me in them. But I am also so different from both of them in so many ways. But I was definitely able to pull from my personal life quite a bit in each of those roles.

IVEY LONG SLEEVE FITTED SUNBURST PLEATED MAXI DRESS
by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
Where to purchase: available at alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet boutiques and aliceandolivia.com
Bon Bon Crystal Large Tear Drop Earring - Pewter by Alexis Bittar
www.alexisbittar.com
Item Description: Very Bow Tie Pump 105 / Lipstick by Aquazzura
https://www.aquazzura.com/us_en

How was hosting Best Leftovers Ever on Netflix? 
I love hosting so much and doing Best Leftovers Ever was an absolute joy. I do really love people - so getting to interact with three contestants each episode and do bits with them and joke around with my fellow judges was a dream. The tone of the show was very quirky and funny so we had a blast!

What was the most monumental moment when playing Joan Rivers on Epic Rap Battles of History?
The most monumental thing about that experience was just getting to embody Joan Rivers! She is one of my all-time favorites! Putting on the wig and the leopard blazer and all the QVC jewelry and shaping my body the way she did and moving my hands the way she did. It was second nature, and honestly, what an honor to get to do. 

IVEY LONG SLEEVE FITTED SUNBURST PLEATED MAXI DRESS
by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
Where to purchase: available at alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet boutiques and aliceandolivia.com
Bon Bon Crystal Large Tear Drop Earring - Pewter by Alexis Bittar
www.alexisbittar.com

Do you have any advice that has stuck with you during your career?
A piece of advice that I heard a lot as a kid actor, and well into my 20s as I struggled to get work, is that if there is anything else you can do or want to do or are equally as passionate about, do that! I know we hear it all the time, but this business can be so cutthroat and the rejection is unimaginable. But if you have to do it – like me – then you have to do it. And here we are. 

What legacy do you want to leave behind?
Oh, hm, I don’t know. Probably that I loved really hard and that laughing, for better or worse, was undoubtedly the most important thing in my life. 


CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Jackie Tohn
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Jaime Pavon
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Luis Guillermo using Oribe
Makeup: Romana Lai using @hourglasscosmetics
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Atėnė At
Retouching: Karla Cevallos
Location at Angelo David Hair Salon
Flowers by MadisonAvenueFlorist
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Anna Yim, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
*Special Thanks: Ann Lawlor

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