Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison in A Different World
News A Different World Celebrity Netflix Now Showing TV

Jasmine Guy hits back at appearance criticism after ‘disturbing’ A Different World comments

'The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older'

Daisy Phillipson
29th September 2026, 16:14
Add as preferred source on Google
Add as preferred source on Google

Ever since the A Different World reboot landed on Netflix, Jasmine Guy has faced an onslaught of horrible messages criticising her looks. But it appears the Whitley Gilbert star is unfazed, judging by her recent messages for the haters. 

The new sequel series returns to Hillman College to focus on a new generation of students, including Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV) and Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall).

But a host of fan favourites from A Different World have returned more than 30 years after the original sitcom ended. That includes Jasmine’s Whitley and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), whose daughter is Deborah. 

Given it’s been a whole three decades, understandably the original cast members’ appearances have changed a lot, and most people would agree that Jasmine – who is 64 years old – has aged gracefully. But that hasn’t stopped people from making nasty comments about how she looks. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Jasmine Guy (@iamjasmineguy) 

Now, Jasmine has clapped back at the hate, taking to Instagram to say, “The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older.” The Whitley star highlighted how women are asked to “celebrate life” while “criticising every sign that we’ve lived it”. 

“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.”

Plenty of celebrity friends have joined in the conversation and praised Jasmine for her powerful message, including Beyonce’s mum, Tina Knowles. “Accomplished, beautiful, graceful lady,” she wrote. 

Her A Different World co-star Cornell Young IV also commented, “You are so gorgeous! Even a more gorgeous soul! I love you.”

Jasmine also shared a response to her message on her Instagram Story, with one from user @thats.so_maani reading, “You are beautiful inside and out! I’m standing in line to give you your flowers. Your gift, talent, passion, beauty and style has impacted and continues to impact our culture.”

But the conversation hasn’t ended there, with people on Threads now calling out one comedian whose post about Jasmine’s appearance went viral. 

Gerald Huston took to the app a few days back and wrote, “Light skin women keep on drinking CUT WATER this is yo future,” alongside laughing emojis. Among the pictures attached to the post is one of Jasmine in Netflix’s A Different World. 

His post has received thousands of comments, with many criticising his message. “What did Jasmine Guy ever do to deserve the vitriol and slander she’s receiving for aging in Grace?” asked one. 

 

 
View on Threads

 

Another said, “In her prime she was stunning and in her elderly years she still is stunning. We all get old, nothing lasts forever.”

“Watching this discourse around Jasmine Guy’s appearance is quite disturbing. We can’t control how we look as we mature. She’s opted not to get plastic surgery to keep up with folks. She’s allowed time to do its thing,” added a third. 

“Life is interesting. Some people peak in high school and college. While others mature into their looks later in life. All in all the ability to get older is a gift.

“I sometimes get upset at the cruelty of humans criticizing a person who has achieved their goals in life while they spectate. Jasmine is an Emmy award winning triple threat who created one of the most iconic characters in television history. Not to mention the current iteration of A Different World is number one on Netflix.

“In a world where Black women have to take less pay but more disrespect, let’s celebrate instead of denigrate.”

It appears Jasmine’s Threads page is no longer available, with some people suggesting she deleted it in response to previous discourse, although the actress hasn’t commented on this. But her latest Instagram message makes it clear that she’s not letting the criticism define how she feels about herself.

For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page.

Featured image credit: NBC/Netflix