The post “Vanessa” And “Ron” Explained Why They’ve Dated For Decades, But Still Not Married appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

ILOSM fam,’ make some noise if you remember actress, Dawnn Lewis. We mainly have throwback memories of her from her role as “Jaleesa Vinson”- the ‘mature, responsible’ college student on A Different World. As we watched her do her thing on that sitcom every week -from 1987 up until A Different World’s fifth season- her character suddenly disappeared without explanation, when she eloped with “Colonel Bradford Taylor” (played by Glenn Turman).

“Jaleesa’s” 1992 disappearance was actually due to the much fatter check Dawnn was offered to star in the Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper sitcom, where she played “Robin Dumars,” alongside actors, Mark Curry and Holly Robinson-Peete. Dawnn was no dummy, so she did what she had to do for her financial well being and said ‘Peace out’ to Bill Cosby’s Different World creation.

Fast forward to the years that followed, up until now, and many have not seen Dawnn Lewis much on television, nor big screen, with the exception of a few appearances on various TV shows and films, like I’m Gonna Git You Sucka back in the day. But y’all have gots to see her now though…and what she’s been up to…

Aging Like Fine Wine At 59…

Just because we haven’t seen Dawnn Lewis as often lately, does not mean ol’ girl hasn’t been working. Turns out, she is doing a lot these days and while she’s at it, she’s also out here making 59 look like the new 39 and we’re not mad at that at all. Here’s a recent photo of her now…

As y’all can see, Dawnn still looks like “Jaleesa” from her college role days. Not sure which fountain of youth this queen has discovered, but wherever it is, we want the directions to it ASAP!

In addition to the Different World legend aging backwards, like “Benjamin Button,” she has not slowed down with her career. Instead, she’s spent much of it behind the cameras, yet her presence was still felt on-screen.

Her Career Is Still Poppin’…

Her Voice-Over Work…
Lewis has become a known voice over actress. She voiced the following characters: “Storm” in the X-Men games and in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2; “Granny Grim” in The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy; “Shokan (Sheeva)” in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm; “LaBarbara” in Futurama; “Detective Terri Lee” in Spider-Man:The Animated Series; “Di Archer” in Bruno the Kid, several characters on the show, The Boondocks; “Sharona” on King of the Hill; and most recently, she’s voiced the roles of “Fannie Granger” in DreamWorks’s Spirit Riding Free (2018), and “The Chief” on Netflix’s 2019 animated Carmen Sandiego.

Her most recent voice-over role has garnered a few awards. Dawnn began starring as the voice of “Captain Carol Freeman” in the animated series, Star Trek: Lower Decks. Check out what she shared about being nominated for the NAACP Image Awards for that role:

Her Other Acting Roles…

In January 2021, Dawnn Lewis joined the cast of the Fox network drama, Blood Relatives:

D. Lewis – “So excited to be apart of the Blood Relative cast!”

Dawnn Lewis’ Personal Life & Past Marriage To NBA Star, Johnny Newman…

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Lewis has been married once and it was a bit rocky. She married now-retired NBA basketball player, Johnny Newman (pictured above, left), in 2004. They divorced by 2006- the following year after Dawnn was reportedly hospitalized from a domestic violence altercation between them. At the time, she said Johnny ‘grabbed her by the throat, threatened to kill her and dragged her down a set of stairs by her legs.’

Happily Single

These days, Dawnn Lewis unmarried and livin’ it up with her homegirls, such as singer/songwriter, Siedah Garett…

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A post shared by Dawnn Lewis (@dawnn_lewis)

The post “Jaleesa” From “A Different World” Is Making 59 Look Like 39 And Still Making Major Money appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

We all loved watching actress, Jasmine Guy, bring her “Different World” character “Whitley,” to life every week. Whitley was prissy as hell and made you wanna shout at the TV sometimes, but she was entertaining to say the least.

What we didn’t know, was that while we were crackin’ up off of “Whitley,” Jasmine was actually madly in love with her then-boyfriend/cast mate for many years. They were together all along, right up under our noses. See who Jasmine’s man was below…

OMG…THEY WERE A COUPLE IN REAL LIFE TOO

Jasmine Guy dated actor, Dominic Hoffman, who played “Whitley’s” other boyfriend “Julian,” on “Diff’rent World.” They were crazy in love during the show and into the early 90’s. Y’all probably also remember they worked together in the film, School Daze. Dominic played “Mustafa,” one of the ‘Gamma’ fraternity brothers, and Jasmine played “Dina,” one of the ‘Wannabe’s.’

Below is a recent photo of Dominic Hoffman. The brotha is aging gracefully, isn’t he?

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KADEEM HARDISON ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE PLAYING JASMINE’S LOVE INTEREST IN FRONT OF HER MAN

In an interview with Essence, Kadeem Hardison was asked if there was any awkwardness when having to get lovey-dovey with Jasmine Guy while also working with her then-boyfriend, Dominic Hoffman, on set:

Kadeem Hardison: “Dominic [Hoffman], Jasmine’s boyfriend at the time, did some spots on the show. It’s like you have your work wife and home wife. But your home wife also happens to work with you. As much as that could have been sticky, they were so in love with each other, it was never an issue. Good God, if you thought me and Darryl [Darryl M. Bell is Kadeem’s best friend and the actor who played “Ron” on the show] were close, he and Jasmine were inseparable. They brought out the silliness in each other.”

By the way, after Jasmine and Dominic broke up- following their lengthy, intense relationship- she eventually found love again and married investment broker, Terrence Duckett in 1988. Unfortunately, they divorced in 2008, but the beautiful blessing from their union, is their daughter.

The post Jasmine Guy Revealed She Dated “A Different World” Actor For Years, Most Fans Never Knew appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Remember “Kim Reese” on A Different World? Her real name is Charnele Brown. One interesting thing about her is that before we came to know her as the cute girl at “Hillman College,” she walked away from a very promising career that many parents would have given her the side eye for stepping away from just because she got a shot at a then unknown TV show that didn’t involve a promising and consistent paycheck yet. Charnele didn’t feel that way though, and in 1987 when she got the call that the producers wanted to try her out for A Different World, her life changed and she immediately said ‘Peace out’ to a very promising career.

The Career She Quit For “Different World

What Charnele Brown Is Doing Now

Nowadays Charnele is doing more work behind the scenes, writing several stage plays for the theatrical world in Houston, TX. She currently owns an acting school, Tri-Wen Productions.

Additionally, Charnele was working on developing a sitcom to give mainstream media more positive African American representations on television. Charnele doesn’t hold her tongue when it comes to voicing her dislike for the shows she sees on television today. This is what she said about today’s entertainment climate:

“Twenty years ago if someone would have told me we love to see black women on TV back biting and fighting, I would have laughed in their face. Now we have to bring back the wholesomeness in television. We can bring back dignity through reality TV.” Charnele is a Christian who is objective enough to understand that acting and entertainment is simply a job. Actors must make the decision within themselves to go as far as they want. “I don’t like that people talk about Beyonce. She is a light and a woman of God. Anyone who judges her and can’t see the light within her doesn’t have the light within themselves.”

[Source: Style Magazine]

We understand where Charnele is coming from. Although I don’t knock reality shows, I do think it’s time to bring more balance to the TV screen, just as we desperately need more balance with today’s music. We wish Charnele Brown much success with her attempt to contribute to helping to bring about that change.

Watch Interview With Charnele Brown:

-ILoveOldSchoolMusic, Old School news with a new point of view

The post Ambitious: “A Different World” Star Quit Super Successful Career For Show & Fans Had No Idea appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

For many female fans, actor, Jason Momoa (39), can do no wrong. For The Cosby Show and Different World legend, Lisa Bonet (51), those fans may just be right, because he seems to do everything right by her. Although Lisa is a bit of a recluse these days…well, at least when it comes to social media- the woman is straight ghost from all platforms- her hubby can’t get enough of it. He shares many moments of his life on online, including their two precious kids together, as well as his love for his wife. That brings us to the posts Jason has recently shared about Lisa that are making his female fans swoon, and making some of them secretly wish he was their’s on the low -in the most respectful way to Lisa of course.

In many instances, all Jason has to do is smirk at the camera lens and his female fans will act as if he’s the second coming, LOL. However, for Jason, it’s Lisa Bonet’s smirk and eye stare that grabs all of his attention and apparently makes him fall in love with her that much more each day. That’s evident in one of the posts he just shared about her…

See What Lisa Bonet’s Hubby Shared About Her>>>

The post Lisa Bonet’s Husband Makes Women Love Him Even More After Affectionate Message To Lisa appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

In September 1987 A Different World fans tuned in for the first time, to watch “Denise Huxtable” enter into the fictitious HBCU, ‘Hillman College,’ as a freshman. At that time, Cosby Show fans were anticipating what it’d be like to see “Denise” leave the “Huxtable” nest, and move onto the Cosby produced NBC sitcom that was damn near marketed as the next best thing since sliced bread.

Thankfully, actress, Lisa Bonet, and the Different World cast did not disappoint.

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There is one element that would have more than likely disappointed the hell outta most A Different World fans though- the fact that Lisa Bonet was originally NOT supposed to be the star of the show. Instead, that was already set to go to a Caucasian actress, whom most of us would’ve probably never have guessed.

Why? Because throughout the years, said actress has made a great name for herself in Hollywood, but watching her be the star cast member of a hilarious HBCU centered sitcom, would not have been a good look for none involved, in my humble opinion.

Wait ‘Til You See Who Was Supposed To Be The Star Of The Show>>>

The post Before Lisa Bonet, A Known Actress Was Set To Be Star Of DifferentWorld..Many Are Glad She Declined appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

ILOSM fam,’ make some noise if you remember actress, Dawnn Lewis? We mainly have throwback memories of her from her role as “Jaleesa Vinson”- the ‘mature, responsible’ college student on A Different World. As we watched her do her thing on the show every week -from 1987 up until A Different World’s fifth season- her character suddenly disappeared without explanation, when she eloped with “Colonel Bradford Taylor” (played by Glenn Turman).

“Jaleesa’s” 1992 disappearance was actually due to the much fatter check Dawnn was offered to star in the Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, where she played “Robin Dumars,” alongside actors, Mark Curry and Holly Robinson-Peete. Dawnn was no dummy, so she did what she had to do for her financial well being and said ‘Peace out’ to Bill Cosby’s Different World creation.

Fast forward to the years that followed up until now, and many have not seen Dawnn Lewis much on television, nor big screen, with the exception of a few appearances on various TV shows and films, like I’m Gonna Git You Sucka back in the day. But y’all have gots to see her now though…and what she’s been up to…

Dawnn Lewis Is Still Fly At 57…Check Her Out Now>>>

The post Remember “Jaleesa” From “A Different World?” She’s Making 57 Look Like 27 & Making Major Money appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Cosby Show/Different World legend, Lisa Bonet (49) may be a hella secretive celebrity, but there are a few rare moments where she steps from behind her shroud of secrecy. Primarily those moments either involve her three children, her man, or her work. This particular rare sighting was for her man/actor Jason Mamoa.

Lisa and Jason have been going strong ever since 2005, when they first began dating. Eleven years her junior, Jason married Lisa in 2007 and this year (2017) marks their 10-year wedding anniversary. Along the way, they had two babies- Lola Iolani Momoa, now 10, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, now 8- whom also live life away from the cameras. Lisa’s eldest child (with her ex-husband/rock OG, Lenny Kravitz), Zoe’ Kravitz, prefers to live her life publicly as a model and actress.

Lisa’s Surprise For Hubby

On Wednesday (Aug. 3, 2017) Lisa Bonet, Lola, and Nakoa decided to give Jason Mamoa the surprise of his life for his 39th birthday (which was actually on Aug. 2nd). In case you haven’t yet seen the many promotional trailers and movie posters lately, Jason is playing the character, “Aquaman,” in the highly anticipated fantasy/sci-fi film, Justice League, which will hit theaters on November 17th. As a spin-off of that film, Jason is currently filming the 2018 movie, Aquaman, in which he is the star as his character, “Aquaman.”

Since he was filming away on set in Queensland, Australia, Lisa and their two kids surprised Jason, by popping up on the Aquaman set, with a few of his friends. Jason was so surprised that his reclusive wife did such a thing, that he posted it on Instagram and captioned the photo of them, his kids, and his friends with greetings and gratitude phrases in his native Hawaiian language:

“I have never been so surprised in my life,” Momoa wrote in his post. “38 is the greatest to date.I love u my loveee my babies my friends and OHANA to my cast and crew. Mahalo for caring. It was so beautiful. Mahalos to all the warriors It was an honor. #mindblown. #roots #connected #mytribe aloha j.”

That was a really cool thing to see and their kids are cool as can be. Also, we had to share a few more times Lisa and Jason lit up Instagram with their lovey dovey posts. Check ’em out below…
The couple that drinks Guiness beer together, stays together..

@JasonMomoa: “Life goals. Find a goddess who drinks Guinness. Make babies. Live. ALOHA.”

The couple that’s united, will never be divided…

@jasonmomoa: “Everyone unite for the world wide sign waving event happening right now. Let’s show the world that #WeAreMaunaKea. @protectmaunakea. We are ohana Aloha j and L.”

The family that hangs out together, remains together…

Ya’ gotta love they’re alternative parenting. Above is a photo of Lisa, Jason and their kids, chillin’ on vacation in 2016, inside of one of Jason’s favorite bars in Ireland. The below photo is a pic of them cool posing it up for the camera…

Wishing the lovebirds many more great years together.

The post Awww, Here’s How Lisa Bonet & Her Kids Surprised Her Younger Hubby For His B-Day appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Kadeem’s Past Relationship With Cree Summers

For those who missed our previous report, Kadeem and actress, Cree Summer a.k.a. ‘Freddie’ the goofy ‘Spelman’ student, use to LOVE them some each other in REAL life. They dated for long while. In fact, Kadeem even mentioned the relationship during an interview with Essence, when he was asked whether or not the show made things awkward between him and Cree…

Kadeem Hardison: “That wasn’t even my concern at the time. Dominic [Hoffman], Jasmine’s boyfriend at the time, did some spots on the show. It’s like you have your work wife and home wife [Cree Summers]. But your home wife also happens to work with you. As much as that could have been sticky, they were so in love with each other, it was never an issue. Good God, if you thought me and Darryl (‘Ron Johnson,’ his best friend) were close, he and Jasmine were inseparable. They brought out the silliness in each other.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQdQwrbBSJD/?taken-by=iamcreesummer

It appeared Kadeem and Cree were nearly inseparable for more than a year, but unfortunately, their fairytale came to an end. However, the two did remain great friends and nah people, they are NOT ‘homie-over-friends’ like that R.Kelly song. Cree is happily married with two kids, but she has had nothing but great things to say about her ex-turned-her-homie, Kadeem, over the years.

HIS CURRENT GIRLFRIEND IS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE HIS EX

After Cree, many Kadeem Hardison fans already know that he went on to marry “It’s Alright” singer/ex-“R&B Diva,” Chante Moore, from 1997 to 2000. They also have a child together, but after they went their separate ways, Kadeem seemed to reflect back to what he used to have in Cree…because now he’s ended up with another love of his life. And what’s interesting is the striking resemblance and interests she shares with his old Different World flame. Check her out below…

Kadeem is now dating Tana Roller. For those who don’t know much about Tana, she’s a highly lauded production designer and photographer in Los Angeles, Ca.. But, her resemblance to Cree has nothing to do with her career. It’s her free-spirited, earthy, Bohemian style that’s quite similar to Cree’s, so Kadeem’s attraction to Tana is understandable…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ7M_ElFr11/

If you take one look at those photo comparisons between Kadeem’s ex and his next, it’s clear to see that he definitely has a type! Do your thang Kadeem!

The post Kadeem Hardison’s Girlfriend Is A Lot Like His Actress-Ex (Nope Not Whitley) appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Fans have been dying to see the cast of A Different World reunite for quite some time and now it’s really happened! For the first time in more than 20 years, the full cast of the classic show reunited for the Where Are They Now segment on The Steve Harvey Show.

Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Cree Summer, Darryl Bell and Charnele Brown all sat down to discuss the show, which has actually been off the air for more than 25 years now. The memorable days at Hillman College are a reminder of just how fast time flies! Although Hillman was a fictitious college, the fervent love for the highly lauded HBCU actually contributed to the massive enrollment spike at historically black colleges and universities around the country back in the 90s.

The memorable days at Hillman College are a reminder of just how fast time flies! Although Hillman was a fictitious college, the fervent love for the highly lauded HBCU actually contributed to the massive enrollment spike at historically black colleges and universities around the country back in the 90s.

However, the cast’s discussion didn’t stop with Hillman reminiscence. They also delved into more intense topics currently plaguing America today. From the HIV/AIDs viruses to racially charged issues.

But, nevertheless, the nostalgic interview could make anyone miss those eventful days at Hillman College! Be sure to check out their discussion on The Steve Harvey Show. 

The post They’ve FINALLY Reunited, And It Couldn’t Have Been Better! (A Different World Cast) appeared first on I Love Old School Music.