"On My Block" Season 3 Lets Jasmine Be a Romantic Interest
Spoilers regarding On My Block season 3, ahead
Jessica Marie Garcia, 32, is a pro at playing Jasmine in On My Block. Three seasons in and her character — that was once a running joke of desperation — has cemented herself as an integral part of the South Central Los Angeles crew. In season 3, her character continues to assist her friend’s in getting out of trouble at the hands of gang leader Cuchillo .... but also falls in love.
Apparently, while fans were mourning the loss of Olivia and helping Ruby (played by Jason Genao) grapple with the trauma of being shot, there was a genuine connection being made between Jasmine and Ruby.
“What we were exploring is the fact that as we grow up, we don't have these defined labels on every relationship that you have,” Jessica tells Teen Vogue at a roundtable press junket.
“Today, it might be something where you see someone in a romantic light and the next day you're like, ‘Oh, no. This won't work. This is just a friendship kind of thing.’ So I think with Jasmine and Ruby it's like ... At least on Jasmine's side, she has these hopeful romantic feelings. But I feel like she's allowing Ruby to get better.’”
Adding, “I see so much of myself in [fans who watch the show] and wanting to root for that girl that they didn't necessarily see as this huge romantic figure, and now that could be an option. I just feel that in shooting it, I get butterflies, not for Jason, for Jasmine and Ruby. I really love that relationship and that friendship.”
Throughout the previous season, fans watched as Jasmine and Ruby grew closer. They hold auditions to get him a junior prom date. He sees her taking care of her sickly father. They memorialize the passing of Olivia. But this season, Jasmine pushes Ruby, making him address his depression and selfishness that hinder him from showing up fully for his friends. In acting as a voice of reason, we see Jasmine evolving and learning to love herself — with or without the validation of a boy.
“You get to see a much more well-rounded person this year,” Jessica says. “You get to see her relationships with other people in the core four really blossom, and you explore a lot of different relationships and how they connect on different levels.”
Jessica, who got married last summer, is also well-aware of her evolution as a performer. For many fans, she’s still seen as Willow from Disney’s Liv and Maddie and Jessica is humbled that she’s been able to create another lovable character in the years since.
“It's amazing. It really has felt like an evolution,” she says. “Because Liv and Maddie, it was [for people] between eight and 12. Some people are older, but it's like that eight to 12 is huge. And then right after that, getting On My Block, it was like I got that 12 on. It was like growing up with them again but seeing a very different side.
“Willow and Jasmine are very different. They have a few similarities as far as these boy issues. But other than that, I've just been really lucky. It's so funny, there's a picture of the four of us from the set of Liv and Maddie, and it's Victoria Moroles, Jordan Fisher, Dove Cameron, and myself. And I was so in awe and such a fan of these three other people that I was like, ‘This is going to be my last job. They're about to blow the hell up and I'm going to be here, just tweeting for them.’”
Adding, “So the fact that I got blessed with On My Block after this was like, ‘Okay, my journey doesn't stop here.’ So the fact that my fans came with me, I'm so thankful to them, so thankful.”
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
