Imani (Jasmine Davis) was a recurring character inThe Chi, but she suddenly left the show after season 4 and hasn’t been back on since. First introduced in season 3, episode 5, “Terror Town”, Imani is a transgender woman who becomes Trig’s (Luke James) girlfriend inThe Chi. Davis ended up appearing in 13 episodes across seasons 3 and 4 and, with Trig being elevated to a series regular in season 4, it followed that Imani would likely get some more screen time as well. However, Imani never appeared inthe cast ofThe Chiseason 5or season 6.
Imani’s last episode ended up being season 4, episode 10, “A Raisin in the Sun"and the character hasn’t been back since. It’s a shame considering her interesting story. Imani was assigned male at birth, but identified as a woman from a very young age. Sadly, her father never accepted that part of her and even tried to kill Imani when he found her dressed in drag. As they fought, Imani was forced to kill her father in self-defense. Unfortunately, Imani never got to be fully explored due to the sudden departure of Jasmine Davis.
Jasmine Davis Implied That Disney’s Involvement With The Chi Is Why She Left
Davis Also Suggested The Film Set Was Toxic
Characters have been abruptly written offThe Chiin the past. However, fans were still curious about what happened when it was announced Imani would not be returning for season 5. In atweeton X,Davis hinted that her reason for leaving the show was due to Disney’s stance on the so-called, “Don’t Say Gay Bill"which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law in March 2022. Davis, who like Imani is transgender, seemed to suggest she was no longer willing to work with Disney after their response (viaTVLine).
She later put out a tweet suggesting that she found the set ofThe Chito be a toxic work environment.
However, sources toldPage Sixthat there was more to the story of Davis' exit. According to an unnamed source,producers at 20th Television found out that Davis had submitted a fake Covid vaccination card, prompting the studio to investigate. This has not been confirmed by either 20th Television or Imani, and it’s still unclear what exactly happened. The unnamed insider also alleged there was no toxic workplace environment and that,
“All of Jasmine’s comments are simply retaliatory.”
Whatever happened between Davis and the studio, it happened quickly enough that Imani was unceremoniously written off the show. At the beginning of season 5, Trig is unhappy that Imani has gone, and then quickly gets over her.The Chidid not seem to want to dwell too long on specifics.
What Jasmine Davis Has Been Up To Since She Stopped Playing Imani
Davis Plays Tracey In Never Have I Ever
Since playing Imani, Davis has appeared on the Netflix seriesNever Have I Everas Tracy, in seasons 2 and 3. It’s a very minor role, butNever Have I Everhas received critical acclaim with a 93% onRotten Tomatoes, and has been celebrated for its commitment to representation.It’s a testament to Davis' skill that creator Mindy Kaling quickly tapped herfor the show as soon as she was available.
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Learn the reasons for Brandon’s off-screen death and Jason Mitchell’s departure from The Chi, and how these changes impacted the series' storyline.
Davis also has a notable upcoming role, playing a part in the Frankie Montero crime filmBeggarmanas Kat, which is set to premiere in late 2024. She will star alongside Lenny Thomas and Peter Greene. Davis may no longer be Imani inThe Chi, but the actress seems to have plenty on her plate.
The Chi
Cast
The Chi is a drama series created by Lena Waithe, set on the South Side of Chicago. It follows a group of residents whose lives become interconnected through everyday challenges. Central characters include Brandon, an aspiring chef; Kevin, a teenager grappling with coming-of-age issues; and Emmett, a young father trying to provide for his son. The series explores themes of friendship, community, and perseverance in a vibrant urban setting.
