EXCLUSIVE: Make way for the return of fan-favorite character Marshmallow on Fox‘s Bob’s Burgers, featuring the voice of Jari Jones.
On this Sunday’s episode, titled “Hope N’ Mic Night,” the kids host an open-mic night at the restaurant, but as the hidden costs keep mounting Bob worries that it will ruin them. Viewers are also in for a big treat as they will learn Marshmallow is not only Bob’s fashionable, wise-beyond-her-years transgender friend, but also a sensational singer.
The person behind the dulcet tones is also Jones, a talented singer in her own right.
Jones is an Afro-Filipina transgender actress and model who most recently posed for Calvin Klein as part of the brand’s historic Pride campaign. Her acting credits include roles in Amazon’s Transparent, Netflix’s Tales of the City, the Sundance film Adam, and the Oscar-shortlisted and Emmy-nominated documentary Coded, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. She also made history with her film Port Authority at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Black trans producer to have a film compete.
Jones spoke with Deadline about expanding Marshmallow’s legacy as she takes the reins from David Herman, who last voiced the character in Season 14. This and more in our Q&A below.
Jari Jones
David Urbanke
DEADLINE: Jari (pronounced like Yari), what attracted you to the role of Marshmallow?
JARI JONES: I originally auditioned for the role in 2020 when they were doing the campaign to find new voices. This was when people discussed the importance of representation in the animation sphere. We are at a point where we need to tell authentic stories. So I assumed I didn’t get the role since I didn’t hear back, which was fine. I hoped that the opportunity would go to a Black trans woman. It was around two years later when I was in Georgia having Thanksgiving dinner with my grandparents when my manager called me to say I was offered the role. I was stunned because I had already moved on, but you just never know.
DEADLINE: This is an established cast that has worked together for so many years. What was the vibe when you joined the fold?
JONES: They were all so welcoming. I was freaking out because most of my experience with voice acting was with new characters, but this is an established one that comes with her own legacy. But everyone has been great and open to any notes I have. And I have to say, Marshmallow’s fans are out of control. They love her and what she embodies. She started as a one-off character that was humanized. I knew I was stepping into some big shoes, but I was ready to go.
DEADLINE: I got a preview screener for Sunday’s episode and it’s a musical one. This is a little bit of a spoiler but we can reveal that you sing as Marshmallow. Were you intimidated by that?
JONES: It was so amazing. I have a musical theater background, but it’s funny because, in the last five years, I’ve been focusing on modeling and acting. So nobody knows about my musical past at all. I surprised a lot of people when I was recording the episode. Someone even complimented me saying I sound like Nina. I was like, Nina Simone? I can’t think of a better compliment. It’s been really exciting to go back to my roots and it’s been the perfect way to bring back music to the Jari brand.
DEADLINE: Fans’ biggest complaint about Marshmallow is not knowing more about her. Her story opens up on Sunday episode a bit but will there be more? How are you making the character your own?
JONES: I think what is going to be cool about this is the adjustment of my voice. I use my speaking voice which is going to be a huge difference [for the character]. I’m excited about that. I was nervous for a while because, as a trans person, I couldn’t in good faith go forward with this stereotype of the deep-voiced girl in the dress. That was important for me to communicate [with producers] who were very open and accepting of that. It’s like, I’m trans, I’m a Black woman and I have bass in my voice. So however that will come out, know it’s gonna be the most authentic experience of it. I’m excited about that and her being her free self.
I’m also going to continue to bring joy and sassiness to her. I look forward to bringing authenticity to the character like, there are ways only a Black woman could say things which is what I will bring to Marshmallow. This will shift the character and I hope people feel like they’re sitting with her authentic, real self and that more people will identify with her. My biggest hope for this show is to bring even more community [to watch] because it’s a wonderful show. I think it could be like the next Simpsons. The fanbase is unreal; they have tattoos and T-shirts that show their amazing commitment. I’m so proud to be a part of that.
DEADLINE: With all the stereotypes out there about so many communities, was there any hesitation in taking on the role of a trans-Black woman who is a stripper?
JONES: No, because I want to expand on how we tell these stories because some of these stories are true, right? These experiences are true. And if we are going to tell them and portray them in the media, why not have the best people to do it? We have either lived these experiences while others have a close connection to these experiences. So, let’s do it authentically so it’s not slapstick where her occupation, her voice, or the fact that she’s trans is the comedy. Some people may shy away from roles like that but I feel like, if it’s not going to be me, who else is it going to be, right? I am a well-read woman who is in community and knows women like Marshmallow whose identity intersects with the character. I hope that other people who don’t know women like her will understand her. I think that’s the most important thing I hope comes from this experience. She will still have this little mystery about her but will be better understood on a human level.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.
