Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She is known for the role of Jess Merriweather on the television series Friday Night Lights, as well as roles in the films Eve's Bayou (1997), The Great Debaters (2007), (2013), and the TV series True Blood. She also portrayed Michelle Tanner's friend Denise on the sitcom Full House.