In a prior interview on The Breakfast Club, Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison — or as we proud Old Schoolers affectionately know them as, “Whitley Gilbert” and “Dwayne Wayne” on the show “It’s A Different World”– opened up about the first season of the iconic series.
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Jasmine revealed that despite signing a six-year contract, she wanted to quit, but producers wouldn’t allow it. However, the most shocking revelation came when Guy exposed how the producers mistreated Lisa Bonet a.k.a. “Denise Huxtable” on the show.
During the interview, Jasmine mentioned how she didn’t like the way Lisa was treated on set, saying:
“That first season, I’m telling you, it was whack, and I didn’t like the way they were treating Lisa Bonet. You disrespect her in front of an audience, in front of me, you disrespecting me too.” According to Guy, higher-ups would often belittle and disrespect Bonet, talking down to her and pressuring her to “just do it, just say it.”
Jasmine, who hailed from New York, revealed that she didn’t shy away from standing up for Lisa, even though Lisa had to hire security on set. Recounting the incidents, Guy stated:
“That’s a sweet girl because you’re not getting up on me like that. And you know, we’ve dealt with bitches. We’re from New York, as far as choreographers and directors and whatnot. I was like ‘oh no, you not treating her like that.'”
It was clear that Guy had a deep sense of loyalty and camaraderie with her co-star. But both Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison disagreed that the mistreatment was the main reason behind Bonet’s departure from the show. Instead, they believed that Bonet’s pregnancy at the time likely played a significant role in her exit. Hardison expressed his disappointment, saying:
“[They] didn’t want a Black girl pregnant in college. I thought it would’ve been a great tool and something to inspire because it was all inspiring, so why not?”
Apart from the mistreatment of Bonet, Jasmine Guy also voiced her frustrations about the network’s decision to change the show’s time slot. She questioned why A Different World was pitted against another beloved Black sitcom, “Martin,” and expressed her displeasure with the network’s lack of support.
So as y’all can see…it was goin’ DOWN behind the scenes of “It’s A Different World.” Real talk though…it’s a good thing Lisa Bonet didn’t straight molly-wop whoever that was disrespecting her on that set! Just sayin.’
Watch the full interview below:
