Jazzy Collins is an American producer and casting director. Her credits include The Circle USA, The Traitors, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.[1]
Jazzy Collins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jasmine Norman |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Quinnipiac University |
| Occupation(s) | Producer and Casting director |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Awards | Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting (2023) |
Early life, family and education
editJazzy was born as Jasmine Norman to parents Glenn Norman and Mary Norman and grew up in Huntington Station, New York. She has one sister, Sabrina.
Jazzy attended Quinnipiac University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Video, and Interactive Media.
Professional career
editJazzy began her film and television career in Los Angeles in 2014. Her first casting job was as a casting assistant on Let's Ask America, after applying for a production assistant job and being asked if she'd be interested in casting instead. Her career took her from there to America's Got Talent followed by The Bachelorette, where she was promoted to casting producer.
Jazzy rose to prominence in 2022 with her first Emmy nomination as a casting director for Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, followed by her first Emmy win in 2023 for casting season 1 of The Traitors.
In 2023, Jazzy started the production company Forced Perspective to produce film and TV projects spearheaded by underrepresented creatives.[2] The company immediately made waves by producing the Los Angeles unit of the Disney+ show Percy Jackson and the Olympians (season 1).
In May 2024, Jazzy gave the commencement address at her Alma mater, Quinnipiac University.[3]
Jazzy is a member of the Casting Society of America.[4]
Activism on Inclusion
editIn 2020, Jazzy published an open letter detailing her time working at The Bachelor and The Bachelorette that specifically called out "systematic racism" and "whitewashing" at the shows.[5] Following this letter and additional criticism from former cast members, the entire casting team of The Bachelor franchise was replaced.[6]
References
edit- ^ DeLoma, Jamie (2024-01-09). "Alumna earns Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding casting for a reality TV show". Quinnipiac Today. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Forced Perspective". Forced Perspective. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ "Emmy winner urges arts, sciences and communications graduates to seize every opportunity with 'purpose, passion and perseverance'". Quinnipiac Today. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ "Jazzy Collins". Casting Society of America. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2020-06-15). "Former 'Bachelor' Casting Producer Jazzy Collins Criticizes "White-Washed" Franchise, Calls For Diverse Casts & Production Teams In Open Letter". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Guo, Anying (2021-02-19). "'Bachelor' fans have been discussing diversity issues for years. Now, they're at their breaking point". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2024-04-16.