Curtis High School graduate to compete on game show ‘The Weakest Link’
A Curtis High School graduate will be on the rebooted television game show “The Weakest Link” on Tuesday.
ANoelle Jackson, most known for her role as Mercy Jones on the television show “The Librarians,” will be competing in the national spotlight for prizes.
Jackson, 31, was born in Kansas then raised in Hawaii for three years. At 6, her family moved to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She then moved to University Place during middle school. Jackson was named Miss University Place in 2013.
She now works in California as an aspirational speaker for children after moving there in 2018.
“I’ve always wanted to do a game show,” Jackson said. “It was a bucket list item for me.”
The show has a group of contestants who must work together answering trivia questions until the end of each round when they must vote off one person. The final two contestants then compete head-to-head to determine the winner.
Jackson said being selected for the show was “serendipitous.” She said she was contacted through her Instagram account by the casting agents for the show and agreed to do it.
The show premiered Sept. 29 and is a reboot of the series that first premiered on BBC Two in the United Kingdom in 2000. This time, it’s hosted by Jane Lynch of “Glee” fame.
“Jane Lynch is an amazing woman. She is a great host,” Jackson said. “I had such a great time just even talking with her. I couldn’t imagine a better person to host the show.”
Jackson was open about how she approached the game.
“To be completely honest with you, I had no strategy,” Jackson said. “I came in with joy in my heart and wanted to just fully experience the game.
“Any decision that you will see on the show, that was in real time at that time. No strategy involved, I just wanted to come in with an open mind and heart.”
Jackson won’t be able to host an in-person watch party due to coronavirus, though plans are in place to do so virtually.
“I’ve already told my friends, and they’re setting up Zoom calls, setting Skype calls,” Jackson said. “We’re definitely doing a little toast via Zoom.”
Jackson now lives in California but said she still wears her Tacoma Is For Lovers shirt. She said she thinks she will do right by the city.
“I go hard for Tacoma,” Jackson said. “Since Tacoma is my home, I believed that I represented them very well.”
“Watching the show you all will be very, very happy.”
Jackson has aspirations to tell authentic stories and inspire youth.
“My overall goal is to, number one, be an inspiration to young kids. I really do believe that every single person deserves to go out for their dreams, no matter what it is,” Jackson said. “My biggest dream is to own my own company where I’m creating great storytelling experiences for everyone.”
This story was originally published October 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
