Make sure that you stay focused, and youll have a great career in front of you, Viv. It wasnt like, "Oh, Im on this show with this guy. Miss Guy drops in on the Fresh PrinceFire! No. It was the vehicle that took him from the Fresh Prince, to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to Academy Award-nominatedmegastar. Buy The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air: The Complete Series on Google Play, then watch on your PC, Android, or iOS devices. If he could do it, so could I. Im still trying to be like Will Smith [Laughs]. As Will mentally prepares to walk down the aisle, he's nearly sidelined by this sexy classmate who may spell trouble for his engagement. People related to that guy who could rap, who was a little goofy, who was from the hood but moved to such a nice area and was living the dream. Episodes: S05 E25 "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll" and S06 E21 "I, Stank Hole in One". Lela Rochon(Cindy, Season 2, Episode 3): I remember going in for The Fresh Prince maybe a couple of times before they finally offered me a role on the show. "Cosby Show"'s Warner, plays Hilary's boyfriend, but has no love for Will and sues after our star hits his car without carrying auto insurance. I guess that one episode was sort of my audition, and then after that, they invited me back to do most of the following season. Fox: Well, you know he had the best of the best, so it makes me feel really good to be in the company of those hot chicks! The Wonderful World Of Will: Will Smith's 20 Best Girlfriends On The Fresh Prince. If youve interviewed any of the other actresses who were cast opposite of him, I know someone told you that he gives a speech, right? One of Vivian's students, Kayla Samuels (Jasmine Guy) comes over for dinner and Will tries to impress her, but fails. Episode: S04 E13 "Twas the Night Before Christening". When Hilary subs for Kathie on her hit morning show "Live! She began her professional career at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Her parents were of African American and Portuguese descent. To keep it real, I was so nervous at the timeI was still so new to the business of actingI wouldnt have even stepped to Will Smith to say anything. I was just like "Okay, Im here.". I think part of the amazing work comes from being pretty vulnerable and open, so I was just a young girl trying to live my dream, and Will was great. Jasmine Guy is an American actress, singer, and dancer who portrays Sheila "Grams" Bennett on The Vampire Diaries. Nia Long: I met Will, we talked for a little bit and then I hung out and watched their process, and then I did one episode. I remember I came in and the entire cast was on set having a table read, and a friend of mine who was a writer on the show told me to come down and say hello to everyone. So I was a fan of the showyou always watch the jobs you dont get; thats why I watched the showand I really liked it. Keeping up with the show's tradition featuring of winning sports cameos, Ken Griffey Jr. lends one of baseball's best arms to Carlton's carnival game and offers Will some valuable dating advice. MTV, EMA and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Over 3500 words on everyone from Al B. )," S05 E25 "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll". The psycho bitch showed up. The 20-year-old student of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts debuted her acting skills in the 2016 Atlanta play, "Serial Black Face." Not much has been reported about Monica's life today but we suspect she's still very much a part of her sister's life and her daughter's too. Fox surprises Will twice: once by how attractive she is, and then by how infatuated she is with him. MTV Raps" appears in one of his nightmares. Were all connected, so its cool. She is best known for her roles in School Daze, The Vampire Diaries, and Grey's Anatomy. I was just happy to be there, and I was excited that I was getting to play such a cool role and do a lot of different fun scenes. Sherman Hemsley brings all of the charisma and wit that made him a household name to this turn as a judge who defeats Uncle Phil in an election, only to pass away shortly after (which may or may not be related to the fact that Will has strong words with him). but it made sense when Karyn did it because she had such a specific take on it. Like, "Is he really saying this? Vivica A. Episode: S05 E18 "The Wedding Show" (Psyche!). l don't. ", Vivica A. I try not to think beyond the moment in this business because it changes so frequently and so quickly, so I feel like you do yourself a disservice being worried about things you cant control. Elise Neal: Pam Grier taught me so many life lessons in that week. In honor of the famous ladies who graced the Banks Mansion, PBH2 has created a gallery of Will Smiths hottest girlfriends on The Fresh Prince. Then I got a call two weeks later like, "Yo, this is your chance." Let's help each other fly. Hes a star." Lela Rochon: It was a very warm, inviting set. Jasmine has also worked with these great performers and directors in these films and miniseries: Spike Lee's 'School Daze'; Eddie Murphy's 'Harlem Nights'; Alex Hailey's 'Queen', and Debbie Allen's 'Stompin' at the Savoy'. Thats reserved for the career boost given to the actors who appeared on the show, from the main players to the ones who only had scenes in one or several of Fresh Prince's 148 episodes. Fox: Well, you know he had the best of the best, so it makes me feel really good to be in the company of those hot chicks! All of them may not harbor pride for this feat, but they understand how that designation aligns with the shows legacy. Jasmine has worked extensively in theatre with Kenny Leon, Susan Booth, Andrea Frye and Pearl Cleage. She had signed up to a number of endorsement arrangements, for which she received generous pay. On The Fresh Prince, he was playing a character closer to who he really is, but once I realized that he played this character that couldnt be more unlike him, I gained a whole new respect for him. Gary slightly modifies his classic catch phrase to suit the Fresh Prince, asking "What you talkin' 'bout, Will?". Because hes the complete opposite of that character. So I was a fan of the showyou always watch the jobs you dont get; thats why I watched the showand I really liked it. Vivian winds up lecturing Kayla and revealing things about her owns struggles to be successful. If youve interviewed any of the other actresses who were cast opposite of him, I know someone told you that he gives a speech, right? Youre just like, "This cannot be real," but it was so real. There were so many things to love about The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. Elise Neal: I could see the talent from watching the show before I was even on it. As of July 2022, Jasmine Guy 's estimated net worth was $4 million. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. Already three albums deep into his hip-hop career, Will Smith was a star by the time The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air began airing in the fall of 1990. Episode: S05 E25 "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll". Nia Long: I dont think I allowed myself to get as excited as I shouldve been, because I was just in shock a lot of the time. When a bout of tonsillitis forces Will to come to grips with his fear of hospitals, Doctor Dre from "Yo! Thats reserved for the career boost given to the actors who appeared on the show, from the main players to the ones who only had scenes in one or several of Fresh Prince's 148 episodes. Actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, director, writer. I think I had done one of his early videos. Fox: I think I had met him because I remember one time, I did a little bit of stand-in work for Jasmine Guy. I was just like "Okay, Im here.". No tongue. Elise Neal: I posted a flashback picture of me and Pam Grier on Instagram recently, and it almost got a thousand likes. Episode: S03 E11 "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum". In The Name Of Love" (Season 4, Episode 18 as "Samantha"), Episode: "M Is For The Many Things She Gave Me" (Season 4, Episode 22 as "Wendy"), Episodes: "That's No Lady, That's My Cousin" (Season 3, Episode 3 as "Veronica"); "Not I, Barbecue" (Season 6, Episode 6 as "Sandra"). She was like, "If you dont like this, youd better say something," or "If you dont like your makeup, go in the bathroom and fix it yourself." Fox: Ill never forget: we were hanging out for Independence Day, and he said, "Hey, good things are about to happen. Nia Long: To me, he was already a star. I was rollin at the audition, and they called 15 minutes later to tell me I got the part. Jasmine Guy Actress Writer Director IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Play trailer 1:46 The Lady Makers (2022) 9 Videos 85 Photos Actress-dancer-director Jasmine Guy has enjoyed a diverse career in television, theatre and film. One of her favorite roles was that of Roxy, the grim reaper meter maid on Showtime's hit series 'Dead Like Me' (with Mandy Patinkin.) Nia Long: I was scared to death pretty much every day I was there, and I tried not to show it. Episode: S04 E12 "You've Gotta Be a Football Hero". Born March 10, 1962 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Everyone was aware of the show, and a certain age groupregardless of racecan recite every word of the iconic theme song. 35 Penelope Cruz Photos That Show Why Shes The Sexiest Woman On Earth, The Wonderful World Of Will: Will Smiths 20 Best Girlfriends On The Fresh Prince. Carlton attempts to last 72 hours in Compton, but this wrestling giant doesn't exactly make things comfortable for him when he forbids him from using "school words. Vivica A. In 1991, she released her self-titled album on Warner Bros. Records, featuring the hit single 'Try Me'. Nia Long: I think that when youre in the moment, youre not worried about that. For Will, it was like him kind of getting paid to go to acting school. You usually do a prayer before you shoot a scene or begin filming to make sure everything is good. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! It was such a fun set; everybody was great. It was already a hit when I auditioned, and when I read that Pam Grier was playing my mother and I was [going to be playing] Will Smiths girlfriend, it was just really a lot of fun. 2/25/91. Episodes: S04 E05 "It's Better to Have Loved and Lost It" and S06 E11 "I, Ooh, Baby, Baby". Elise Neal: We did a prayer. 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Like, what did we have on? Jasmine Guy is an American actress, director, singer, and dancer. TV super-personality Leeza Gibbons has no problem putting Hilary in her place after she parks in her reserved spot. Some auditioned multiple times before securing their roles, others say they barely auditioned, and one actually read for a major role prior to her guest appearance. For others, it was a launch pad for their careers. The show was a hit, so I didnt want to mess up. "Family Matters" star Jaleel White catches serious heat from Carlton and Will after they over him talking to Ashley about having sex. Everybody was like, "Whos that girl?" Thats his gift, and Will was lucky to have collaborated with him to do a show that resonated with everyone. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airprovided many of these actresses with the exposure they needed to ascend the next plateau. Look no further because you will find whatever you are looking for in here. Everybody was watching it and thats why being part of it, even if you werent a series regular, was a great thing because it always meant a lot on your resume. Vivica Fox: There wasnt ad-libbing because we were both kind of new to the gameback then, we had to stick to the scriptso we spent a lot of time making the lines believable, and every once in a while, maybe he would ad-lib. Carlton's power hungry ways threaten to put a damper on Will's chances with this "Drew Carey Show" beauty. Episode: S05 E05 "Fresh Prince, the Movie". Guy and Ali first met on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He got some muscles!". Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Personal life 2 Filmography 3 Appearances 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External links Vivica A. Calling The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air a "cultural touchstone" is a gross understatement. Lela Rochon: You know what, I guess because now I have kids and Wills still very popular, now I just pop my collar and say, "Yeah, I was one of his girlfriends, whatever." No, but I am proud that I was on such an amazing show that had superstar after superstar. [Laughs]. Veteran character actor Bader sets up laughs and a surprise for Will's mom, who is less than thrilled that her sister is marrying a white man. Vivica A. Jasmine Guy (born March 10, 1962) [2] [3] is an American actress, director, singer and dancer. And he was right. Vivica A. Al B. When one thinks of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," a myriad of memories come to mind: the uncannily catchy theme song, the "Carlton" (and it's many incarnations); and, of course, more celebrity cameos and guest stars than there are cool hats in Hilary's wardrobe. She was so cool, and Ill say: she may have played Foxy Brown, but Pam Grier is just a sweet, beautiful soul. While the show had a huge impact on American style one could not overlook the beautiful . Vivica A. Fields's character Monique gets a crash course in boys and "The Facts of Life" when Will and Jazz devise a hair brained scheme to set up a fake marriage in order to trick her into going all the way with Will. Then, all of a sudden, he was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Lela Rochon: I remember they said we were going to go into Wills dressing room and do a group prayer, but before we did the prayer, they did a dance. Jasmine Guy: The most fun I had is when the two of usme and Willhad to go toe to toe with "mama" jokes. Regis choses Hilary as a temporary replacement for his longtime sidekick Kathie Lee Gifford, and realizes that perhaps this should not be his final answer. Eventually, Will wins her over and inadvertently starts taking time away from her studies, so Aunt Viv tells him to cut back on their relationship so Kayla can have a good future. It was like a "posse up" moment: like, lets bring it all in, bring in the love, and get the energy going. Youre just happy to have a job. Because hes the complete opposite of that character. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air provied many of these actresses with the exposure they needed to ascend the next plateau. Jasmine Guy Birth Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States Profession Actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, director, writer Actor 66 Credits Queen 2022 Reunion Road Trip 2021 Grey's Anatomy 2019. Jasmine Guy (Kayla Samuels, Season 1, Episode 21): I was happy to be asked to do the show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. So when I got the part, I was thrilled because I love Will and we totally went on to make movie magic laterand not just with him, with his wife too. Nia Long: Heres what I have to say about my career, in general: I feel like I had so many wonderful examples of what acting is all about. He has natural, raw talent, but he was still learning as an actor, as well. Chris Rock shows off his acting chops by playing both the familiar role of comedian and his sister, who Will is set up on a date with. Lela Rochon: When I saw Bad Boys, I remember being so surprised and taken aback. Youre just happy to have a job. I try not to think beyond the moment in this business because it changes so frequently and so quickly, so I feel like you do yourself a disservice being worried about things you cant control. l was left with no education and nothing l was qualified to do. Fox: Hes been an inspiration for my career for many years because hes such a gentleman. Episode: S04 E17 "When You Hit Upon a Star". For some, it was a chance to show their versatility as performers. Jasmine Guy . So when we sit down the first day, he says to me: "Were going to do this kissing scene. Prolific character actor Michael Rapaport has spoken in interviews about being a fan of Will Smith's from back in the day in Philly, so he must have been excited to play a role in this episode, wherein Will and Carlton throw a party that gets out of hand at their new pad. Vivian Banks: I know what that feels like. As a frequent motivational public speaker, Jasmine is called upon to share her story openly with those who may benefit from her trials and triumphs. Real-life real estate mogul Trump leads the Banks family to reflect on how much they love their home when he makes them a tempting offer to buy it. Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil start to worry when he takes a liking to Hilary. Im still sassy, Im still spicy, Im still edgy. In the final episode of season five, Will and Lisa may be having trouble in paradise, but the sitcom's plans to get every "Cosby Show" alum to stop by are going quite swimmingly. Hilary wins sister of the year when she pulls strings to get Little T to sing at Ashley's birthday, but the party's over when he falls for Ashley and Will and Carlton become overly protective. I looked at him like, "Oh, thats Will Smith. At that moment in time, it couldve been anyone on the show, but it really showed me that it was doable. She came to work everyday, and she was with him everyday. Before landing her timeless role as Dionne in "Clueless," Dash proves that she has star quality as a visiting celebrity who Will is so smitten by that he misses his own surprise party to hang out with her. l'm the last chance for the whole damn family and you have no idea what that feels like. When one thinks of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," a myriad of memories come to mind: . That was sort of impressive to me. It was just strange because I worked with Eddie Murphy and all of these people and nobody did that. Fox: It definitely got the ball rolling and the phone started ringing. Lela Rochon: I remember they said we were going to go into Wills dressing room and do a group prayer, but before we did the prayer, they did a dance. I didnt even know I was sassy back then, I was just being me. It was early in my career and one of the biggest roles I had gotten at that point. Vivica A. It was just the right vehicle to make him shine and make you see him in a different light, and I think he transitioned really well. Released in 2019, Disney's live-action remake of the 1992 animated film starred Mena Massoud as the . The psycho bitch showed up. It all worked together beautifully, and it was Benny Medinas brainchild. So when I got the part, I was thrilled because I love Will and we totally went on to make movie magic laterand not just with him, with his wife too. Vivica A Fox: Working with them was like working with family. Queen Latifah gives Will a lesson in L.A. superficiality when the pair click on a date, but her weight makes Will uneasy about asking her to the school dance. Fox: I was doing The Young and the Restless, and I remember asking my agent why I didnt get a chance to audition for Independence Day. She's 60 as of January 2023. Episode: S01 E04 "Not With My Pig, You Don't". Funny . Will and Lisa's wedding may explode in this episode, but at least real-life popular newscaster Arthel Neville and the Banks sisters look good in their bridesmaid dresses. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Every time you see him, he always greets you the same. Episode: S06 E04 "Bourgie Sings the Blues". For some of the actresses, filming an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the biggest moment of their careers at that point. So I spent most of my time in my dressing room just trying to be on point. They all seemed really happy and they made me feel really comfortable. Kayla Samuels (Jasmine Guy) is tells Will (Will Smith) about their jokes right now, and Will (Will Smith) is hugging with Kayla Samuels (Jasmine Guy)! So when we sit down the first day, he says to me: "Were going to do this kissing scene. Lela Rochon: What I remember most about doing that show was that Will was newly engaged to his first wife, Sheree, and they were very much in love. Kayla Samuels: You did what? 22 Season 1, Episode 22 Banks Shot. lt took me years to get back. surviving on the thought of loving you, it's just like the water Ive been working non-stop for the last 25 years. I remember being uncomfortable because its already uncomfortable that you have to do run-throughs in front of all of the producers who literally sit five feet away from you in a row of chairs, but Sheree would sit right in front of us and I would go, "Oh my God, Ive got to kiss him and his girlfriend is sitting right there. We played dozens, and for anyone that knows anything about black folk.you don't talk about [anyones] mama. Will (Will Smith) is studying with his friend, Kayla Samuels (Jasmine Guy) right now! They were like, "Youre on a soap opera, honey." Elise Neal: Im not surprised by it. Six auditions later, I got the part. I think I had read for Karyn Parsons role [Hilary] and then I read [for the role of Cindy] and ended up finally getting that part. They're saying Jasmine Guy looks like Prince! It eventually took her to New York City. The rest is told in his gripping visuals, The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist, the "Carlton" (and it's many incarnations). Furthermore, that finesse helped the TV-version of Will Smith score the attention of some of the most talented and desirable young actresses of that era. You fit in here. Fox (Janet, Season 1, Episode 19): I played Jeffs sister or cousin, and I ended up being the date from hell for Will.