Marshmallow, with her enigmatic charm, bold style, and unwavering confidence, has long captivated fans and cemented her status as a fan favorite. However, her portrayal has also been at the center of conversations about representation in animation. For years, the character—a Black trans woman and sex worker—was voiced by a cisgender man, perpetuating stereotypes that didn’t fully honor the lived experiences of Black trans women. Now, with the show’s decision to recast Marshmallow and give her more of the spotlight, Bob’s Burgers has taken a meaningful step toward rectifying past mistakes and elevating authentic representation.
Enter Jari Jones, an Afro-Filipina transgender actress, model, and advocate whose resume speaks volumes about her groundbreaking work in entertainment and fashion. From being the first Black trans producer to compete at Cannes with her film Port Authority to gracing Calvin Klein’s iconic SOHO billboard as their first plus-size trans model, Jones has built a career on breaking barriers and expanding the definition of beauty and representation. She has worked with major brands like UGG, Adidas, and Christian Cowan, and her acting credits include Pose, Transparent, Tales of the City, and the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Coded: The Hidden Love Story of J.C. Leyendecker.
In her newest role as Marshmallow, Jones brings much-needed authenticity to the character, not only honoring Marshmallow’s past but reimagining her as a more nuanced and multidimensional character. This evolution debuted in the recent episode “Hope N’ Mic Night,” which saw Marshmallow stepping into the limelight with her biggest role yet—complete with a stunning musical performance that highlights Jones’ own musical theater roots.
For Jones, this opportunity is more than just a milestone in her career; it’s a chance to reshape the narrative surrounding Black trans women in media. In taking on a character whose identity intersects with her own, Jones is helping to ensure that Marshmallow’s story is told with the depth and dignity it deserves. “Let’s do it authentically,” she says in an interview with Deadline, “so it’s not slapstick where her occupation, her voice, or the fact that she’s trans is the comedy.”
In this exclusive interview, Jones opens up about the significance of stepping into Marshmallow’s shoes, her approach to portraying the character authentically, and what she hopes fans—especially Black trans women—take away from this new chapter in Marshmallow’s journey. She also shares insights on how her diverse career has prepared her for this role and her vision for Marshmallow’s future on Bob’s Burgers.
Keep reading as we dive into conversation with Jari!
___
GLAAD: Marshmallow has become a fan favorite, beloved for her unapologetic confidence and sass. How do you see your personal journey and identity shaping this character’s evolution, and what aspects of Marshmallow resonate most deeply with you?
JONES: What’s interesting about taking on a character that shares the same kind of intersections as you are that you just get a more authentic representation of what that character’s day-to-day would be like. Not necessarily within a story, but inflections and how a character would say something. What is the drive behind what she says and how she says it. I think, you know, if we’re talking about Marshmellow’s recent episode, you know, with the fire Marshal trying to shut down the Mic Night, right? Her intensity to be like, you know, this needs to happen. It’s because of how many times Black trans women, especially trans people in general, have had these moments where people have promised us these platforms, or these stages to really showcase our talent and our stories and how quickly they get shut down. So her being like, I’m gonna go to any lengths to make sure that this happens, it is only an experience that a black trans woman or trans person can have. And for me to give her a voice of how serious this was for her can only be met from someone who has lived through that experience over and over again.
As far as what aspects of Marshmallow resonated with me, I think Marshmellow’s ability to kind of connect with everyone. I feel like when you are a trans person, so often we’re trying to find our place in society because there aren’t really environments that are built for us. So we kind of have to go in and mold ourselves to different environments. It’s a blessing and a curse. I think there are definitely places where I feel like I’ve had to tone down myself or kind of mute myself so that people could understand me. But l also feel that there have been a lot of environments where I’ve just come in guns blazing and like “this is who I am, this is what you get” And I feel that people resonate most with your most authentic self. So when Marshmallow comes in, and says what she wants. She goes when she wants, she’s gonna perform, she’s gonna leave. You know I think the fan favorite of Marshamallow is that she comes and goes as she pleases, you know. I feel like that is totally me. I’m never going to march to somebody else’s beat. I’m gonna do it to my own drum beat. I’m gonna come in when I want to. I’m gonna say what I need to say. I’m gonna be loud about it. And if you like it, love it. If you don’t like it, then oh well.
GLAAD: Representation in media, especially in animation, has been a hot topic in recent years. What do you hope audiences—particularly Black trans women—take away from seeing and hearing Marshmallow authentically brought to life through your voice?
JONES: I hope they are inspired to know that people are taking a chance on us.And “chance” is such an interesting word but, so that they see themselves as worthy enough to be created or immortalized within art. That our stories do matter, that our voices do matter, that our experience should be put on a platform so that every other trans person, every other Black trans person can see and that we should be celebrated for it. I think what was so interesting about seeing Marshmallow as my voice for the first time, is that there was an instant connection. And l had a little watch party with some friends who are also black trans women and there was an instant connection. And one can only wonder if there were more versions or expanded experiences of Black trans people on cartoons or on TV and film and media, how much of a joy it would be for a lot of people who don’t get to see themselves. Who don’t live with other trans people, who don’t have a chosen trans family. But to be able to connect with the experience through art, through TV and media, how beneficial that would be, how healing that would be, to be able to connect and identify that way.
GLAAD: Your work spans modeling, acting, producing, and now voice acting. How does stepping into the world of animation compare to your other creative endeavors, and what excites you most about the unique opportunities it offers for storytelling and connection?
JONES: Well, what a lot of people don’t know is that I kind of started in theater, which I love kind of full circle moments like this. I think most people know me as like the model, you know, the billboard girl. But a lot of people, just because of time periods, when I focus on a craft, I kind of go in on that one craft. But yeah, it feels like coming back home, honestly. The ability to play, the ability to imagine with voice and with character, it really brings me back to my roots of theater, i.e. musical theater. So it’s been really awesome to kind of step back into it because I’ve been missing it in a way that fashion doesn’t really offer me. Fashion’s more about just the image of sight, where animation has offered me the ability and room to play within voice, whether that’s singing, whether that’s character building, and just to hear myself. It’s also been a healing aspect, just because for so long I did not feel comfortable IDing as trans and having the voice that I have, right? Now, I absolutely love it and I’m so excited to share that with the world, but, it was kind of a disconnect for me. So being able to professionally do that has been exciting because people want that, and people are ready for that. So I hope, you know, we can lean more into that. And I hope that opens more doors for me. You know, I would love to do more animation. I would love to do more animation in terms of film. I’ve also been sparked. Again, with this episode and reigniting myself to move forward with music, it’s been something that’s been dear to my heart. It’s the most vulnerable for me. You know, I’ve been down runways, l’ve been naked on covers, but you want me to do my own music? I’m like, “my God, that’s crazy”. But from the response of not only Bob’s Burger fans, but just my friends who did not know I could sing or didn’t know that music was something that I was interested in, are like, “girl, we’re waiting for the album. Push forward on that”. So I’m glad to be able to storytelling through that. I do have a wonderful story that l would love to share through music and connect with an audience in that way as well.
GLAAD: Your work spans modeling, acting, producing, and now voice acting. How does stepping into the world of animation compare to your other creative endeavors, and what excites you most about the unique opportunities it offers for storytelling and connection?
JONES: Well, what a lot of people don’t know is that I kind of started in theater, which I love kind of full circle moments like this. I think most people know me as like the model, you know, the billboard girl. But a lot of people, just because of time periods, when I focus on a craft, I kind of go in on that one craft. But yeah, it feels like coming back home, honestly. The ability to play, the ability to imagine with voice and with character, it really brings me back to my roots of theater, i.e. musical theater. So it’s been really awesome to kind of step back into it because I’ve been missing it in a way that fashion doesn’t really offer me. Fashion’s more about just the image of sight, where animation has offered me the ability and room to play within voice, whether that’s singing, whether that’s character building, and just to hear myself. It’s also been a healing aspect, just because for so long I did not feel comfortable IDing as trans and having the voice that I have, right? Now, I absolutely love it and I’m so excited to share that with the world, but, it was kind of a disconnect for me. So being able to professionally do that has been exciting because people want that, and people are ready for that. So I hope, you know, we can lean more into that. And I hope that opens more doors for me. You know, I would love to do more animation. I would love to do more animation in terms of film. I’ve also been sparked. Again, with this episode and reigniting myself to move forward with music, it’s been something that’s been dear to my heart. It’s the most vulnerable for me. You know, I’ve been down runways, l’ve been naked on covers, but you want me to do my own music? I’m like, “my God, that’s crazy”. But from the response of not only Bob’s Burger fans, but just my friends who did not know I could sing or didn’t know that music was something that I was interested in, are like, “girl, we’re waiting for the album. Push forward on that”. So I’m glad to be able to storytelling through that. I do have a wonderful story that l would love to share through music and connect with an audience in that way as well.
GLAAD: Your work spans modeling, acting, producing, and now voice acting. How does stepping into the world of animation compare to your other creative endeavors, and what excites you most about the unique opportunities it offers for storytelling and connection?
JONES: Well, what a lot of people don’t know is that I kind of started in theater, which I love kind of full circle moments like this. I think most people know me as like the model, you know, the billboard girl. But a lot of people, just because of time periods, when I focus on a craft, I kind of go in on that one craft. But yeah, it feels like coming back home, honestly. The ability to play, the ability to imagine with voice and with character, it really brings me back to my roots of theater, i.e. musical theater. So it’s been really awesome to kind of step back into it because I’ve been missing it in a way that fashion doesn’t really offer me. Fashion’s more about just the image of sight, where animation has offered me the ability and room to play within voice, whether that’s singing, whether that’s character building, and just to hear myself. It’s also been a healing aspect, just because for so long I did not feel comfortable IDing as trans and having the voice that I have, right? Now, I absolutely love it and I’m so excited to share that with the world, but, it was kind of a disconnect for me. So being able to professionally do that has been exciting because people want that, and people are ready for that. So I hope, you know, we can lean more into that. And I hope that opens more doors for me. You know, I would love to do more animation. I would love to do more animation in terms of film. I’ve also been sparked. Again, with this episode and reigniting myself to move forward with music, it’s been something that’s been dear to my heart. It’s the most vulnerable for me. You know, I’ve been down runways, l’ve been naked on covers, but you want me to do my own music? I’m like, “my God, that’s crazy”. But from the response of not
only Bob’s Burger fans, but just my friends who did not know I could sing or didn’t know that music was something that I was interested in, are like, “girl, we’re waiting for the album. Push forward on that”. So I’m glad to be able to storytelling through that. I do have a wonderful story that l would love to share through music and connect with an audience in that way as well.
GLAAD: What challenges or opportunities did you encounter in taking on a character who has carried both admiration and critique in her history?
JONES: l think the biggest challenge for me in terms of taking on Marshmellow would probably be that she was already established. That people knew who she was. And like anything in this world, we are all afraid of change and I thought for a second that it might be my make or break. That me having to bring something new to somebody who’s already been there, would not be as successful as it was. But once I began to record and see how it was being laid out, those challenges started to become very beautiful and rewarding opportunities to just breathe new life into her. I think in terms of her past and how she was presented and laid out, and who was playing her? I think with how the change has been; casting someone like me, I think it’s been justified. Not only did they change the voice, not only did they get someone who closely fits her identity, but they focused on her in a way that shows that trans characters need to be centered. In choosing who they chose, it also shows that trans actors and actresses deserve to be hired for these opportunities and for these big moments. That we have the ability to carry big moments like this. It’s just really a sign of what creators and people want to see. We don’t necessarily have a political atmosphere that reflects that, but in the genuine heart and soul of the everyday watcher of a show like Bob’s Burgers, people want to see it. People want to see that connection, people want to have that connection. I always think about how Marshamallow may be the first interaction that people are going to have with a trans person. So the opportunity to create a space and an environment and be part of a platform that’s willing to do that is really heartwarming for me, but also it’s a challenge that I am excited for and not fearful of. Because I know that I am able to do that. And as a trans person and most trans people, we are able to do that. Get us in the room and we will show you our humanness, we’ll show you our humility, we’ll show you our love and our warmth. And we’ll show you our strength. That’s the easy part. But it’s being able to have the opportunity. That doesn’t come too often. So it’s a really special time for me to be able to do so.
GLAAD: Looking ahead, how do you envision Marshmallow’s story evolving, and what role would you like to play in shaping her future on Bob’s Burgers?
JONES: You know for this character to be created at a time where trans representation has not been its best, I really applaud the writers for what they have created already. So I think in terms of shaping her future, I just want to bring more of the authentic element there. Whether that’s experiences of just trans people living amongst a society that’s unfamiliar about how we operate, whether that’s bringing in more of her voice forward, not only her speaking voice, but her singing voice. That trans voices and trans artists exist out there, and just really honing in that she is a family member. Maybe not by blood, but she’s definitely chosen family for the Belcher’s. And hopefully we get to see more of that incorporation into that familial aspect. Just because, you know, we need to see that right now. Trans people are in your families, they are in your grocery stores, they are some of your doctors, they are the people who are raising your kids. So we need to see that representation. If that representation comes in the form of a cartoon, then so be it.
Be sure to follow Jari Jones as she continues to breathe life into her character, Marshmallow as well as her journey as an artist and creator on her Instagram here! And be sure to be on the lookout for more of Jari’s Marshmallow, on Bob’s Burgers on FOX or on Hulu.