We’ll always love us some Jasmine Guy for for crackin’ us up back in the day with her stuck up “Different World” character, “Whitley.” But let Jasmine tell it- for her, everything wasn’t always so peachy when it came to being “Whitley.” Although she is very grateful for having had the opportunity to make the late 80’s/early 90’s culture entertaining and memorable for us all, to the surprise of many, Jasmine Guy, began to despise this one thing about her character and it drove her to no end.

WHY SHE DISLIKED HER “WHITLEY” CHARACTER AFTER A WHILE

Jasmine Guy absolutely hated that people thought she was like “Whitley” in real life. For those who don’t know, Jasmine Guy is the FARTHEST thing from “Whitley” that a person could possibly be!

In real life, there’s nothing pampered, nor prissy about homegirl. Truth be told, Jasmine is classy, but she’s got some hood in her, LOL. Her real personality is more of a stern, but friendly woman who does not take any mess from anybody. Jasmine was raised in a Black Atlanta neighborhood by a Black preacher dad and a White teacher mom. However, because she played the “Whitley” character so well, she says that she began to resent her role because the public actually started to believe she was like “Whitley.” But she actually says she couldn’t stand people like “Whitley”:

Via People Magazine: “I would never talk the way Whitley talks,” says [Jasmine]Guy. “In fact I don’t know why she hasn’t gotten slapped a few times. Believe me, if I knew someone like Whitley, we wouldn’t be going to the movies together.”

Jasmine then began to purposely take on other work that were in direct contrast to her “Whitley” character. So when she landed the role of “Dominique Larue”- the seductive girlfriend of a gangster in the film, “Harlem Nights”- she was ecstatic. She also released an R&B album in 1990- again, a very non-“Whitley” move.

But still, even after “Different World” was over in 1993, Jasmine despised that most people were continuing to approach her in public and assuming that she was much like “Whitley.” After a while, she just learned to live with it and embrace the reality for what it is.

BEING LIGHT SKIN CAUSED TREMENDOUS HEARTACHE AS A KID

Jasmine also explained to People Magazine how being biracial brought a lot of pain as a child and also affected her during “School Daze”:

“I remember getting into several fights in grade school because black kids would think I thought I was pretty because I had light skin and long hair,” she says. “They said I always tried to talk properly. But I wasn’t trying to seem better. I just wanted to be me.”

“The [School Daze] role was difficult for me because it brought back ugly memories,” says Guy. “Again I had to face the reality of how the world sometimes views people only on outward appearances. I don’t like being prejudged.”

Like we always say, here at ILOSM, we just never know what celebs are dealing with behind closed doors. Props to Ms. Guy for sharing her truths.

The post Jasmine Guy Admits What She Hated About Being “Whitley” & Problems Light Skin Caused Her appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Here is what Debbie Allen said was the real reason behind Lisa leaving Different World (see full video interview below):

Debbie Allen: “When I first took over the show [Different World] one of the first things I did was meet with Lisa Bonet and she secreted to me that she was pregnant.

She had married Lenny Kravitz and you know…I guess Bill had his feelings about that because he was possessive in a way. I mean they were his on-camera wife and children, but they still were his. I mean the way he was with Phylicia [Rashad] (Debbie’s sister) too, I mean, that’s a whole ‘nother story.
So I said ‘Well Lisa we have to go tell him.’ So I said ‘Honey, put some shoes on, don’t come up there with a bare foot…get your best dress, let’s comb your hair and let’s go up there to see him, let’s tell him together.’ So we got dressed, we went up there and oooh he could see us coming! He saw us a mile away he could see us coming (laughs). And he set there and looked at us and I said ‘Well we have some things that we want to tell you.’ He said, ‘What is it? Are you pregnant?’ And then we were like ‘Oh my God.’ Then he said well what is so different about it? He looked at me, he said, ‘You were pregnant, your sister was pregnant, and so now what?'”

DA: “And I explained to him how I wanted to use it [the pregnancy] on the show because that would be a great thing. To see a girl who’s [this] upper class kid, having a baby, not married because she didn’t want to be married…and the girls could root for her. I was explaining all that we could do. Well honey I was just blowing smoke and didn’t know it (laughs). He listened to it.

We started talking about stories and then immediately…maybe about two or three weeks later he was like “You know what Debbie? No. She’s pregnant, ‘Denise Huxtable’ is not pregnant, Lisa Bonet is pregnant not Denise. So no…no you can’t have it, no we’re not gonna do it, no.” So he took her back, I was so mad at him, I wanted to take her, but I understand, he just wanted her back. So she left us [the Different World cast] to go back home [to the Huxtable house], she ended up getting married on the show and whatever else happened over there.”

Anywho, all of these years, we’ve been hearing rumors about Lisa Bonet’s attitude causing tension between her and Bill Cosby and that still may true, but it’s good to get a first hand account from Debbie Allen, as to why she actually disappeared from Different World and ultimately from The Cosby Show.

-ILoveOldSchoolMusic, old school news with a new point of view

The post Debbie Allen Reveals The Real Reason Lisa Bonet Left “Different World” appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf9bC6UjS6a/

His Family Was Well Off

In case ya’ll haven’t heard, Darryl comes from a well off family. Although the School Daze star became a famous actor, he wasn’t the only mega-success story in his family, his pops, the late Travers Bell Jr., did so first.

Travers wasn’t an actor by far, but he was a record breaking businessman. By 1971, Travers Bell Jr. became the first owner and founder of a Black-owned member firm of the New York Stock Exchange. With only $175K in capital, he had developed Daniels & Bell Inc., a securities firm on Wall Street, which by the time of his untimely passing in 1988, had grown to a net worth of nearly $15million. Travers was also a major shareholder in Freedom National Bank and Cocoline Chocolate Co. (the company that made chocolate chips for Nabisco).

Why Darryl M. Bell’s Fam’ Took Him To Court & HOW MUCH $ He Lost

As Darryl’s It’s A Different World stint was coming to an end in 1993, he was embarking on a new dynamic in his life- a 6 month court battle. After Darryl’s beloved father, Travers, passed away at the age of 46 from a heart attack, he left his multi-million dollar business to Darryl. However, after Darryl ended up losing most of his pop’s $14.9 million, due to inexperience, his dad’s widow and two of Darryl’s aunts (Travers’ sisters) took him to court:

[Travers] Bell had also been major shareholder in Freedom National Bank, which was taken over by federal authorities three years after he died. In addition, Cocoline Chocolate Co.,…filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition [in 1992].

A Superior Court probate judge in Morris County, N.J., ruled…actor Darryl Bell wasted the $14 million estate left by his late father out of imprudence, rather than wrongdoing as charged in a suit…While Bell had no experience in the business, court records indicate he put his mother and sister on the payroll and amassed a huge debt on the corporate credit card. As assets and revenue plummeted at the firm, the widow of the late founder, Laura Bell, and two of his sisters, Joanne Walker and Karen Bell McClearin, filed suit charging the young actor mismanaged the established New York securities firm.’ -via Jet Magazine; May 1993

After it was all said and done, Darryl’s father’s business plummeted from a net worth of $14.9million to $1million. The business owed several debtors, including the IRS, which had a $2.3million stake in the estate at that time.

But That’s Not All, See What Else His Family Claimed

In their suit, the women [Darryl’s aunts and father’s widow] had charged [that Darryl M.] Bell had mismanaged the business and misappropriated monies. They also asked the court to name new executors of the will and asked that co-executors, Darryl and his grandfather, be held accountable for replacing $5 million they maintained had disappeared from the estate. In dismissing the case after a six-month trial, [Judge] Stanton attributed the firm’s hard times to Bell’s inexperience rather than malicious intent. […] [Judge] Stanton said, “This estate has turned out to be a disaster. It is all very regrettable.” -via Jet Magazine, 1993

He Credits Spike Lee For His Career

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204822642499808&set=pb.1051004492.-2207520000.1520962787.&type=3&theater

On a lighter side of things, Darryl had a successful acting career, which started while he was a Syracuse University college student and he said he owes it all to director, Spike Lee:

Darryl Bell- “I went to see ‘She’s Gotta Have It’…in New York City. There was a big line outside, and Spike was out front just signing autographs.” Bell says he told Spike to give him a part in his next movie if he wanted him to buy a $10 ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ T-shirt. They talked for a while, then Lee gave Bell his address and told him to send some photographs of himself. Soon after, he was auditioning for the role of ‘Big Brother X-Ray Vision’ in ‘School Daze.’ “After the audition, Spike said I’d definitely hear from him again. […] It’s because of Spike that I’m in this business. It’s because of Spike that I met people who helped me get on ‘A Different World,’ namely his casting director, Robi Reed.” -via The Chicago Tribune.

Just like the old school saying goes, ‘We live and we learn.’ Darryl M. Bell took a major ‘L’ on the chin, but his life has been a full circle learning lesson for him…hopefully he’s become better as a result.

The post Mo’ Money, Mo’ Probs: “Different World” Actor Lost Millions & His Own Family Sued Him appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Ever since the 1990’s, we’ve watched former Different Actor transition from “Freddie’s” boyfriend, “Shazza Zulu”; to Janet Jackson’s love interest in her 1993 video for “Again; to his lead role in the early 2000’s on CSI. We’ve also seen the unfortunate legal struggles actor/singer/musician, Gary Dourdan (51), had following the end of his CSI stint in 2008. Since 2008, Dourdan’s gone through two chapter 11 bankruptcies and according to DailyMail, his ‘legal woes also include a 2012 felony battery charge against ex-girlfriend Nicole Cannizzaro, as well as arrests for drug possession in 2008 and 2011.’

Throughout the past few years of his personal struggles, it seemed that Gary had disappeared into the land of obscurity on a far, far, away land of nowhere. Why? Because no one could find the brotha for a while…that is until now. Thankfully, Gary is working again and loving life. As a singer and musician, he still performs across the world with his band. In the acting world, things are still poppin’ for him too. In recent years, Dourdan has starred in the Mary Jane series, opposite Gabrielle Union, and he’s just wrapped up the highly acclaimed stage play, “Two Can Play That Game,” which also stars Vivica Fox, Towanda Braxton, Carl Payne, Porsha Williams (of Real Housewives of Atlanta) and more.

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

All of that is good news, but depending on who you ask regarding the current status of his love life- that’s a whole ‘nother story.

Why Folks Are Talking About His New Woman

Photos have just surfaced of the typically reclusive Gary Dourdan, out and about with his lady on his arm in the streets of Manhattan, NY. They looked like they were so happy, they could’ve very well been cast in a happy-go-lucky dating site info-mercial.

https://twitter.com/zesty_usa/status/933747356742365185

Anyways, the reason that many are talking about the couple, is because when you take one look at Gary’s mystery girlfriend, it’s clear to see that she’s young enough to be his daughter…she damn near looks borderline legal. However, she is of legal age, because she’s a sophomore at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.

CSI alum #GaryDourdan, #50, keeps much #younger #girlfriend close in #NYC.

Source By: https://t.co/bryEdFxZkg
Post By: https://t.co/ljkuU4BH6O pic.twitter.com/8a1dT6GGxO

— Top Leather Jackets (@TLJStore) November 23, 2017

Although not much is known about Gary Dourdan’s new boo, in comparison to his daughter, Nyla, the two young ladies look like they could be classmates.

Now, even though the 51 year old actor is dating his new young Tender-Roni, we won’t judge the man, because we’ve all seen older cats date young women.

As long as the woman is legal, it’s all good. When it comes to small talk among them though, it’s probably not much they have in common. I mean, when you really think about it, it’s kinda hard to, say, reminisce about their childhood memories together, given the fact that Dourdan grew up on Charlie Brown, Soul Train and bell bottoms and the Sugar Hill Gang. While his lady grew up on Barney and has probably never even seen a rotary phone in real life before. That’s no diss to neither of them, just an observation.

At any rate, the best part of all of this, is that they look happy together, the mystery girlfriend is legal and Gary seems to be living trouble-free these days. Looking forward to seeing what new projects he has coming up in the future. Do your thing Dourdan!

The post Former “Different World” Actor Resurfaces With Very Young Girlfriend & Has Many Talking appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Things are not looking good for Hollywood dudes these days. Amid a week of sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood men, a video of former “Game of Thrones” star, Jason Momoa, resurfaced online Thursday were he made some questionable comments about about rape.

Here’s What Happened:

Actor, Jason Momoa, who many of us Old Schoolers know as actress, Lisa Bonet’s husband, is also widely known for his role as “Khal Drogo” from the HBO series, Game of Thrones. About 6 years ago, Momoa was at a Comic-Con panel, along with several other Games of Thrones stars, where he discussed his love for sci-fi. While sharing what he loved about sci-fi, Momoa also revealed that he enjoyed playing “Drogo” because he was able to fight villains and sexually assault beautiful women, referring to a scene where “Drogo” raped “Daenerys Targaryen”- a female character- on the show. Here’s what he said:

“As far as sci-fi and fantasy, I love that genre because there are so many things you can do, like rip someone’s tongue out of their throat and get away with it and rape beautiful women,” Momoa said at Comic-Con.

Apparently, Momoa’s comment was actually meant as a joke…a very distasteful one though. Many Game Of Thrones fans remember that horrific scene and also remember that Momoa’s character married and fell in love with the woman he raped, however, his comment was in poor taste. In the age of social media, anything’s liable to come back to haunt a celeb.’ Momoa learned this lesson the hard way, check out his apology below.

See Momoa’s Offensive Joke & Sincere Apology:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji60ZODYJu4

More than 18 hours after the video was posted on Twitter, Momoa issued an apology.

“I awoke in Australia to the justified reactions by many people to a distasteful joke I made years ago in Hall H for which I am sorry. I am still severely disappointed in myself at the insensitivity of my remarks that day. I know my sincerest apology now won’t take away those hurtful words. Rape and sexual harassment can reach anyone and I have seen first hand its painful torment among members of my own family and friends, Momoa wrote in a statement on Instagram. I made a truly tasteless comment. It is unacceptable and I sincerely apologize with a heavy heart for the words I said. All apologies, Jason.”

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

Jason Momoa’s rape comment resurfaced after his fellow co-star, Ben Affleck, is undergoing sexual assault allegations as well. Several women have also made sexual harassment allegations against Ben Affleck, who co-stars in “Justice League” with Momoa. While the video doesn’t necessarily paint Momoa in the best light, Warner Brothers is reportedly unbothered, as they will continue to support Momoa as he attends Justice League promotional appearances or interviews.

Prior Interview Shows A Different View About Rape Scene

In full disclosure, the father of 2, actually didn’t take the rape scene as lightly as he joked about it in that video. In a prior interview, he once expressed his discomfort in filming the scene.

Momoa previously told the New York Post about his discomfort in shooting the rape scenes with his onscreen wife “Daenerys Targaryen,” played by Emilia Clarke. In addition, he clearly points out that he’s not a rapist.

I’m raping Emilia [Clarke, who plays Daenerys]. I love her, but I’m hurting her and she’s crying. We could have made it longer, but you get the idea, said Momoa, I’m not a rapist! I prefer my women to enjoy sex … Just do whatever your woman wants, and you’ll be fine.

Lisa Bonet, Her Man & Her Fam’

What we do know is that Lisa Bonet a.k.a. “Deniece” from The Cosby Show and her husband, Jason Momoa, have a beautiful marriage. They tied the knot in 2007 and have 2 beautiful mini-me’s: a daughter, Lola Iolani, and son, Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha. They are often seen so in love as he gushes over her in public.  (Lisa also has daughter, Zoe Kravitz, with ex-husband, Lenny Kravitz).

Hopefully Momoa’s fans will accept his apology, because it sounds like he made a horrible mistake by making that insensitive, wack rape comment. But he has no other history (at least not publicly) of being a jerk like that. And besides, we all make mistake at times because we’re human…and celebrities are no exception to that rule.

The post Lisa Bonet’s Actor Hubby Gives Apology After Catching Major Heat For Insensitive Comment appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Meet Hero and Brave! Their mother was a popular actress in the 90’s who became a household name back in the day and used to have us all crackin’ up with her sometimes ditzy lines. She was known as the earthy chick at that time and if you guessed a character from the classic sitcom, A Different World, you’re on the right track…

Can You Guess Who Their Mother Is?

On the show, she played a character who was known for being a quirky, peace-loving college student who cared about the environment and loved her some “Shazza,” her ‘boyfriend’ (played by actor, Gary Dourden). While A Different World ended in 1993, that didn’t stop this actress from working. Behind the scenes, she launched a career voicing animated cartoon series. In her illustrious voice over career, she’s even gotten to work as the voice of the green M&M in commercials.

Meet Their Actress Mommy!

Brave and Hero are the daughters of actress, Cree Summer, who played “Winifred ‘Freddie’ Brooks” on the show A Different World. Recently, Cree took to her Instagram page to share photos of her adorable daughters from their trip to New York City. Captioning the photo with the hashtag, “God Bless The Freaks,” the ladies took on the Big Apple as Cree referred to herself as “Mama” and her children as “savages.” Dressed in matching outfits, Hero and Brave  got their pose-on as they stood on both sides of their cool mama, Cree.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU4xk4kgRdi/

Cree’s Cartoon Gigs

Before starring on A Different World, Cree was already involved in show business. As we previously reported,  she was the voice of Penny on the cartoon show, Inspector Gadget. Believe it or not, Cree is the voice of many cartoon characters such as “Elmyra” from Tiny Toons and “Susie Carmicheal” from Rugrats. In addition, in the early parts of her career, Cree was the voice for cartoon characters on the shows, The Real Ghostbusters, The Care Bears Movie, Strawberry Shortcake, and The Ewok Adventures. While Cree loves acting, she surprisingly loves doing voice acting more, because it allows her to be whatever she wants to be.

Surprise! Cree Can Sing?!!

Not only does Cree love acting, her real passion is singing. Cree, 47, loves to perform and is even really good friends with rock legend, Lenny Kravitz, who was formally married to and has a daughter with her former Different World co-star/best friend, Lisa Bonet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUkzy1sgPUk/

Cree also spends a lot of time with Lisa’s and Lenny’s daughter/actress, Zoë Kravitz.. In fact, they’re so cool with each other, that in 1999, Cree actually toured with Lenny as his opening act. In 1999, Cree released her own solo album entitled, Street Faerie, which was produced by Lenny Kravitz. Unfortunately, she was dropped by her record label shortly after going on the road.

Meet Cree Summer’s Husband

Cree is now happily married to her husband (the father of Hero and Brave), Angelo Pullen. On Twitter, Pullen describes himself as a ‘filmmaker, photographer, and lover of all things tech & music.’ It appears that the couple lives in Canada because Cree referred to their two children as “Toronto kids.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWBsiowAs1V/

What She Does For A Living Now

Currently, Cree continues to do voice overs for cartoons, commercials, and a number of popular video games. According to Black Doctor, Cree shared that she would one day like to do the voice of a fairy. Cree also shared that she’s noticed the progress made in cartoons in terms of diversity, however, she would like to see more ethnicities being created in the cartoon world. It’s always a beautiful thing to see an entertainer from back in the day, still being able to take care of their families by doing what they love.

Check Out More Adorable Pics Of Hero And Brave!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVsFk9SgptZ/

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BVWV5pIAUOB/

The post Wow! These Little Cuties Are The Daughters Of A Popular 90’s Actress appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Although Jasmine was actually in a seriously committed relationship with her other Different World co-star, actor Dominic Hoffman, at that time, she’s still human right? Sometimes things happen…feelings arise…but as long as she didn’t act on them by cheating on her man, then she’s still alright with us. At least she’s being honest now and still stayed loyal to her then man at the same time. Anywho, on to this very unexpected crush Jasmine had…

‘Olivia Pope’s’ Daddy?!!

Y’all ready for this? *Drum roll please*…Jasmine Guy wanted to get with actor, Joe Morton! That’s right, she was diggin’ ‘Rowan “Eli” Pope’- ‘Olivia Pope’s’ (Kerry Washington) scandalous daddy on the hit show, Scandal! Ain’t that something?!!

If you recall, Joe played, ‘Byron Douglas III,’  ‘Whitley’s’ love interest for a brief second on Different World, whom she infamously left standing at the altar for ‘Dwayne-Wayne.’ Check out what Jasmine said about her crush on Joe during her TVOne interview below…

“I don’t know if he had any idea what a crush I had on him. […] I had a rule with Kadeem that we would only kiss in front of the audience. Like, we wouldn’t kiss in the four days rehearsing.[…]. With Joe, I didn’t implement that rule.”

After seeing that video clip, I think it would be a good idea to get Jasmine on Scandal as ‘Rowan Pope’s’ villainous love interest. We know she’s good for it- let’s not forget about her scandalous character, ‘Dominique La’Rue’ in Harlem Nights. Seeing Jasmine on Scandal is just wishful thinking on our part, but it’s a helluva good idea.

The post Jasmine Guy Reveals Major Crush On “Different World” Co-Star & We Were Not Ready For This appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Her character’s voice was one of the most distinctive in the history of African American sitcoms. And if you guessed the talented Jasmine Guy prior to reading this article, then big ups to you because this wasn’t an easy one.

Embed from Getty Images

Jasmine hasn’t changed all that much, she was a beautiful little girl and she’s still a beautiful woman.
Here’s something about Ms. Guy that many may not know- she is TOTALLY different from her character, ‘Whitley’ on Different World. She always speaks her mind, regardless of who doesn’t like it and that’s something that we’ve always respected about her. Not too long ago, she had to put an interviewer in check when he asked her to talk about the Bill Cosby allegations.

She also gave a quick check session to another interviewer who assumed she’d be like her “Whitley” character- which is an assumption she absolutely cannot stand. She talks about the “Whitley” accent below…

By the way, in recent years, Jasmine’s more recent roles were on BET’s drama series, The Quad, which also starred actress, Anika Rose. The show was about Black college life and Jasmine played the dean.

“Dwayne-Wayne” and “Whitley” also got back together in recent years. Well, not literally, but Kadeem Hardison did join forces with Jasmine Guy on TV again. Kadeem starred in the the hit Disney Channel sitcom, KC Undercover, in 2015 and 2016. He played the father of ‘KC’ (played by singer/actress, Zendaya). Jasmine Guy made a guest appearance on the show as an enemy agent who had been in hiding for years.

Jasmine and Kadeem spoke with Oprah about what they didn’t necessarily like about being superstars back in the day…

The post This Cutie Became An 80s/90s Actress Who’s Nothing Like Her Legendary Character appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

[kkgallery kid=”2859″ title=”Jasmine Guy Reveals What She HATED About Playing “Whitley” Character”]

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[kkgallery kid=”1746″ title=”See How This “Different World” Actor Lost Millions Of Rich Dad’s Fortune!”]

-ILoveOldSchoolMusic, old school news with a new point of view

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