Starting her career at the age of 16, Ajiona Alexus rose to fame with her roles on Empire and 13 Reasons Why. Today, the 22-year-old actress is back and hitting the big screen in Breaking In.

Alexus plays Jasmine, Shaun Russell’s (Gabrielle Union) stubborn yet smart oldest child. As the film, produced by Will Packer and directed by James McTeigue, follows Shaun who, after the sudden death of her father, takes her two kids to her father’s Malibu mansion to settle his estate. At the mansion are four villains intent on finding the deceased’s safe and making off with its contents.

“Jasmine has the initiative to take what her mom taught her and to protect her younger brother,” Alexus says about her role. “She sacrifices herself several times to save him and do what it takes to get of the house alive – instead of being a scared little girl.”

We sat down with Ajiona Alexus to talk more in-depth about her role in Breaking In, working with Gabrielle Union, and much more.

Check out our exclusive Civil Interview below!