Chaley Rose Jackson was born and raised in the city of Columbus, Indiana. She attended Central Middle School and Columbus East High School where she was a cheerleader, gymnast, and on the track team. She was the school's first Black homecoming queen. After high school, she graduated from Indiana University. She then spent time studying acting in New York City before moving to Los Angeles. Chaley Rose's parents are Cheryl Owsley Jackson, a reporter, and Charles (Chuck) Jackson, an artist
They were married for more than 20 years, now divorced.[citation needed] She has one sibling, a brother, Charles E. Jackson, Jr. (Chase).