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Jasmine Guy portrayed Whitley Gilbert on A Different World from 1987 to 1993
Guy, who was 25 when the original series began, has been dealing with “brutal” comments about her appearance in the show’s revival series
The actress, now 64, is responding to commenters with a message on kindness and beauty
Jasmine Guy is humbling her haters.
The actress, 64, has been in the spotlight after reprising her role as Whitley Gilbert in A Different World‘s revival series, now streaming on Netflix. As viewers enjoy the new series and revisit the original, online commentary has been unkind about Guy’s appearance.
Guy addressed the criticism head-on by sharing an Instagram post about aging. “The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older. It asks us to celebrate life while criticizing every sign that we’ve lived it,” she began.“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 continued. “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 ❤️.”
Jasmine Guy, William V. Guy and Imani Guy Duckette attend A DIFFERENT WORLD Special Screening on September 21, 2026Credit: Derek White/Getty
Guy’s post was met with support from her friends, fans and colleagues. Cornell Young IV commented, “You are so Gorgeous! Even a more Gorgeous soul! I love you🤎🤎🤎🤎.”
Felicia Pride added, “Yes Queen. We love you!.” Tina Knowles wrote, “Accomplished , Beautiful , graceful, Lady♥️♥️♥️.”
Weeks prior, Guy shared a post about celebrating this special moment in her career with the cast of A Different World and what it means to her.
“There’s something truly special about receiving your flowers while you’re here to enjoy them. To my amazing cast family, thank you for the love, the kind words, the appreciation, and for taking the time to celebrate me. I don’t take any of it for granted,” she began her post.“After all the years, the work, the memories, and the moments we’ve shared, it means so much to be seen, valued, and loved by people who have been part of the journey,” she continued. “I’m receiving every flower with a grateful heart. And I’m giving that same love right back to each of you. Here’s to the memories we’ve made and the beautiful moments still ahead.”
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Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Darryl M. Bell, Debbie Allen, Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy on ‘The View’
Guy’s career has remained busy since A Different World. Throughout her time on the sitcom, Guy acted in 1989’s Harlem Nights and appeared on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airand in TV movies like Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992) and Boy Meets Girl (1993).
She then had guest stints on the shows Melrose Place,Living Single, Touched by an Angel andThat’s So Raven. In the aughts, she starred on Dead Like Me,K.C. Undercover, The Vampire Diaries and was a fixture in the Atlanta theater scene.
Guy won her first Emmy in 2023 for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her performance as Barbara Baldwin on Chronicles of Jessica Wu.
She’s since played Sylvia Wesley in the Wesley Christmas movies and landed recurring roles on Prime Video’s Harlemand NBC’sGrosse Pointe Garden Society.The actress thenfollowed up a guest appearance on Poker Face withthe 2025 films Noah’s Arc: The Movie and 90 Days Past Due before appearing in the 2026 Lifetime movie Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery.
A Different World the sequel series is now streaming on Netflix.
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