Rising Stars: Meet Jack Laflin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Laflin.

Hi Jack, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Jack Laflin, but professionally I am known as Merman Jax. I have been working as a water performer for over 13 years. My athletic background had an innate focus on competitive swimming (butterfly & backstroke), as both sides of my family had deep nautical roots, from abalone diving in the Philippines, to sailors from Ireland. Also, having a suspiciously deep pool in the backyard at home, meant I would basically live in the water all day and sometimes night. I myself was born in Redwood City, less than a mile from the San Francisco Bay. I didn’t fall into working as a professional merman, I was born one.

In addition to my marine heritage, I also studied drama and folklore in college. From working in Los Angeles as a model/actor, I eventually discovered a new, water-themed career. A career that paid my bills, kept me physically healthy and allowed me to be creative. I am currently expanding my business to service Northern California as well as Southern California; though travel for work is absolutely part of the equation. It is a very different market to learn, but I am already excited about the connections/events I’ve made and the ones still to be announced.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing worth it is ever easy, right? I’ve never expected, nor wanted “easy”, but it is crazy how hard things have been sometimes. I’d say one of the hardest parts to develop is your endurance, your ability to take a hit and keep on going. The resiliency it takes to be a professionally working performer, is something that can be developed, but it often feels like something you have or don’t. The sheer number of emails, pitches, inquiries, site visits etc that go into booking an event can be exhaustive. The truth is, most performers do not have the heart to keep going. Or they simply want to be “famous”. Being a professional mer performer is a very silly, expensive and exhausting path to fame- you can see the road littered with vapid performers who faded into obscurity. People focus on creating a social media account when they should be focusing on a legitimate career.

Intentional, ethical, researched work is the best backbone you can give yourself while navigating challenges. On a daily basis I have to work with being a brown, gay man, in a world that can be very hostile, if not outright physically dangerous for me. Imagine, people being furious I exist and I’m just swimming around in a tail. It’s an additional, built-in challenge that 19 out of 20 water performer jobs are meant for female-presenting, mermaids. So, I often create my own events and opportunities. I’ve never waited for work to come to me. I am very proud of the success I have earned, in spite of these things.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am happy to be known for things such as my nation-wide Jack in the Box commercial, my news story on the cover of The LA Times and my appearance on the Emmy winning, Tamron Hall show. The Tamron Hall show appearance was very special to me as it was an entire episode celebrating Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid film. Seeing the impact of having a black Ariel for children of color? It was and is, still so amazing and still so important.

My strong sense of self is also what sets me a part from others. I have zero interest in copying what someone else is doing, so it is so sad for me to see people actively copying others, instead of leading with the best version of themselves. Actively and intentionally copying photoshoots, costumes, photographers, vlogs etc will not bring you fame- because it is not authentic. I could have sold my soul a long time ago with predictable, thirsty photos and promoting any product that was offered to me. I didn’t though, and that is why I am still respected, still working and still here.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love working with others, I prefer it actually. I like to perform with others, create with others and support others. I have mentored many mers in my time, some are grateful, some turn into monsters. Unfortunately, you cant control that. So, I am more particular than ever in terms of who I work with. Tip #1 for wanting to work with/collaborate/support me? No generative AI. It is horrible for the environment, hurts actual artists and is incredibly lazy & embarrassing. If you come at me with generative AI for photos or captions, I will assume you don’t have actual photos of yourself working and that you are only desperate for attention, while actively avoiding putting in effort.. A huge Red Flag.

Also, have some inspiration, have ideas, show me you’ve put effort and thought into something. Show me you care about the world. The environment, People, Animals. These days, my choices in collaboration are very based on the quality of the human. There are plenty of talented, successful, mer performers out there, but there is also a crossover with unethical behavior. If you don’t conduct your own brand with dignity, kindness and creativity, you will not be cohesive with my life or my profession. I like working with people who know who they are and are unapologetic about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mermanjax.wixsite.com/merman-jax-1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermanjax/

Image Credits
Lee Harland Photography, Brett Stanley Photography, Mermaid Wrangler Photography, Tahoe Banshee Photography