As Will Smith posted The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air cast reunion photos on his Facebook page, they sparked fond memories for most.
Janet Hubert – one former cast member who was notably absent from the shot- was not so happy to see the reference to that chapter of her career.
Janet Hubert – who played Will Smith’s aunt Vivian in the sitcom, has rubbished rumors sparked by the picture, saying: “There will never be a reunion … as I will never do anything with an a**hole like Will Smith.”
The actress told TMZ: “He is still an egomaniac and has not grown up. This constant reunion thing will never ever happen in my lifetime unless there is an apology, which he doesn’t know the word.”
Janet Hubert, who left the show in 1993 halfway through its six year run, has blamed Will Smith for her departure since, claiming she was dismissed because she refused to bow to his ego.
Will Smith has refuted the claims however, and told an Atlanta radio station after her departure that Janet Hubert had a bad attitude.
“[Hubert] said once, <<I’ve been in the business for 10 years and this snotty-nosed punk comes along and gets a show>>. No matter what, to her I’m just the AntiChrist,” Will Smith said.
It would appear that the animosity between Will Smith and Janet Hubert has not yet subsided.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air which aired from 1990 until 1996, was staple for a generation of teenagers in the US and abroad.
It has been claimed that Janet Hubert- who was replaced by Daphne Reid after three years on the show- violated her contract when she became pregnant.
A new character Nicky Banks was worked into the plot to accommodate the situation.
Janet Hubert and Will Smith were reportedly at odds long before the pregnancy however.
Will Smith, 43, said he was delighted to be able to see the rest of his second family in the run up to Christmas at a special charity event last week.
Will Smith said: “Got the Holiday season started right with a Fresh Prince of Bel Air reunion.
“There’s nothin’ like spending Holidays with fam!”
A reunion picture- not including Janet Hubert- was taken last week at a luncheon for the charity Sweet Blackberry, which was founded by Karyn Parsons, who played airhead weather girl Hilary on the show.
Other cast members present were Tatyana Ali, who played his little cousin Ashley, Alfonso Ribeiro who played his snobby cousin Carlton and James Avery, who was the Banks family patriarch Uncle Phil.
Sadly missing was Joseph Marcell, who played the Banks’ butler Geoffrey, Daphne Reid who filled the role of matriarch Aunt Vivian from 1993 to 1996.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air followed the adventures of a fictionalized version of Will Smith himself.
After getting into trouble with a local gang his mother decides to send him to stay with her wealthy and successful sister in the posh Bel Air area of Los Angeles.
It was notable for Will Smith’s often eccentric choices of early 90s clothing, with the rapper displaying a particular fondness for Day-Glo pinks.
Amazingly the future movie superstar only agreed to appear in the show as he was in massive debt problems with the IRS, owing $2.8 million after overspending on the income he earned from his then successful career as a rapper.
It became a launch pad for his hugely successful acting career, which has saw him star in box office hits such as Independence Day, Men In Black and Ali.
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