Some of you need to “relax, relate, RELEASE” the shade about an iconic actress’ looks.
Jasmine Guy is taking the high road as she addresses the critics shaming her looks in the new A Different World sequel series.
The new series landed on Netflix on September 24, which comes 39 years after the original sitcom first aired.
The new iteration of the beloved show brought Whitley Gilbert back into our lives, and introduced her to a whole new generation. For the revival, Guy returns alongside Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Wayne, as the story follows their youngest daughter Deborah–played by Tony winner Maleah Joi Moon–as she starts her freshman year at Hillman College.
Prior to the show’s premiere on streaming, the cast celebrated with a special screening at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Sadly, however, all of the excitement and celebration came with a dark side, too.
As soon as fans started streaming the new episodes, comment sections were filled with people criticizing Jasmine Guy and saying she looks “old.” Despite nearly four decades having passed since the original series aired, many people compared her to the Whitley they remembered from the eighties.
Unfortunately, Jasmine saw these comments, and she felt the need to respond. While referencing the hate, she brought up the impossible beauty standards women are held to, especially in Hollywood, and acknowledged that standing up to that is not easy. Still, she held her head high and issued a response without returning any hate, simply sending a message to other women living life and worrying about looks over anything else.
“The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older,” she began in an Instagram post. “It asks us to celebrate life while criticizing every sign that we’ve lived it.”
She continued, Growing older brings change, and I won’t pretend every change is easy. But beauty, style, and joy don’t have an expiration date.”
She closed with a request for her followers that reads: “Let’s spend less time judging ourselves and each other, and more time loving each other, making memories, and living the life we’re here to live.”
In response to such a vulnerable post, Guy’s supporters took to the comments to send her love, thanking her for posting such a poignant message.
“All love!!! You are legendary! And you still look absolutely beautiful! Getting older is a privilege,” one supporter wrote.
Another added, “Not everyone is afforded the privilege of reaching 30, the grace of 40, or the glory of 50 and beyond. There is beauty in every decade, every evolution, every version of the woman you have become.”
One commenter wrapped up the whole discourse perfectly, writing: “You are THEEEE JASMINE GUY. An icon, then and now. The internet can be so cruel to women for simply living long enough to age, but please know so many of us see your beauty, your talent, and the legacy you’ve built. We love you!”
