Jordan Coleman Talks Acting, Discipline, and Her Breakout Role on Sistas
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
Meet Jordan Coleman, a rising actress who transitioned from an advertising degree to pursue acting full time. Trained at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio and Upright Citizens Brigade, she combines emotional depth with strong instinct. She brings fresh energy to the screen, establishing herself as a dynamic and disciplined performer with a solid foundation in both improv and technique-driven training.
In this exclusive conversation with Miami Living, Coleman reflects on her journey—from studying at leading acting institutions to fully committing to her craft—while sharing the mindset, resilience, and focus shaping her evolving career.
Now stepping into the spotlight on Tyler Perry's Sistas, she joins the hit series as Cheyenne Barnes, a confident and layered new character who adds intrigue to the established ensemble. She opens up about the experience of working on such a fast-paced, successful show and what it takes to thrive in that environment. Sistas new episodes are available to stream on BET+.
Miami Living (ML): What is the most important lesson you took from your training at Ivana Chubbuck Studio and UCB?
Jordan Coleman: One of the biggest lessons has been learning how to stay both grounded and flexible at the same time. Studying with Ivana Chubbuck really reinforced the importance of emotional truth and having a clear objective driving every moment, while training at UCB taught me to let go, trust my instincts, and respond in real time.
Bringing those two together has been the most valuable part. Having structure and intention, but also the freedom to stay present and let the moment evolve naturally.
ML: When did you realize acting was the path you wanted to pursue professionally?
Jordan Coleman: I realized it the day I graduated college. I had just earned my degree in advertising, but I knew pretty clearly that it wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue. Less than a year later, I moved to Los Angeles and never once applied for a job in that field.
It was one of those decisions that didn’t feel like a question. I just knew I wanted to fully commit and see how far I could take it.
ML: How do improv and physical training influence the way you approach a role?
Jordan Coleman: They both push me toward full commitment. Improv keeps me sharp and present, so I’m reacting in real time instead of anticipating. Physical training is about discipline and execution, it builds the stamina and control to carry a role all the way through.
When those two come together, you’re not thinking about the performance, you’re inside it.
ML: What do you relate to most in Cheyenne, and what challenged you?
Jordan Coleman: What I relate to most is her sense of control and the way she presents herself to the world. There’s an intention behind how she shows up, and I understand that.
What challenged me is what sits underneath that. Letting go of that control, allowing the messier, more vulnerable parts of her to come through without softening them or trying to make them more palatable. That tension between composure and what’s really going on beneath the surface is where a lot of the work lived for me.
ML: What has working on “Sistas" taught you so far?
Jordan Coleman: Working on Sistas has reinforced the importance of consistency and trust in the process. Being part of something that’s already so established, you see how much discipline and collaboration it takes to keep a show moving at that level.
It’s also taught me to stay adaptable. Things move quickly, and you have to be ready to step in, make choices, and trust them. That kind of environment really sharpens your instincts and reminds you to stay present and prepared at all times.
ML: You maintain a highly active lifestyle, from Muay Thai to surfing. How does staying physically active shape your work as an actress?
Jordan Coleman: Staying physically active keeps me connected to my body in a way that directly translates into the work. It builds awareness, control, and endurance, which all show up on screen, especially in roles that require a strong physical presence.
It also reinforces discipline. Training regularly teaches you how to push through discomfort, stay focused, and follow through, and that mindset carries onto set. It’s not separate from the work, it’s part of how I prepare and how I show up.
ML: What stands out to you about Miami?
Jordan Coleman: Miami has a really distinct energy to it. There’s a vibrancy in the culture, the people, the colors, the pace, that feels both elevated and effortless at the same time. It’s one of those places where lifestyle and environment are so connected, and you can feel that in everything from the food to the way people move through the city.
ML: With Miami’s strong presence in film and fashion, do you see yourself working or creating here in the future?
Jordan Coleman: For sure. Miami has a really strong point of view, visually, culturally, everything, and that’s always exciting as an actor. It feels like a place where style and storytelling naturally overlap.
I’d definitely love to create here at some point. It has that mix of edge and ease that makes you want to shoot something, build something, or just be part of what’s happening.
ML: What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into acting?
Jordan Coleman: I think patience and endurance matter more than anything. It’s not a quick path, and it’s not always linear, so your ability to stay committed, even when things feel slow or uncertain, is what really carries you through.
At the same time, it’s important to stay curious about people and about life. The work asks you to understand experiences beyond your own, so the more open and observant you are, the more depth you bring to a role. It’s a balance of resilience and sensitivity, being strong enough to keep going, but open enough to keep growing.
ML: Is there anything people might be surprised to learn about you?
Jordan Coleman: I’m a huge foodie. I love pizza, I love pasta, I really won’t deny any food. I stay away from fast food, but beyond that, I’m all in. Life is meant to be enjoyed. It’s probably why I work out so much.