Remember Aunt Viv from” Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”? The original Aunt Viv? Well Janet Hubert has a new tell-all/memoirs out called Perfection Is Not A Sitcom Mom where she talks about the un-princely conduct of former co-star Will Smith. Here’s an excerpt:
“Smith had people around him who made sure no one outshone him. I was happy to see Don Cheadle become the quality actor that he is, and often wondered how he made it past one episode, as Hilary’s boyfriend, being such a fierce actor. No one could be on ‘The Tonight Show,’ that first season, except Will. And I mean no one.”
In an effort to drive the point home, Hubert also recalled an incident where another actor was cut from a guest spot on the show after being too impressive at an early rehearsal for that episode.
“I recall the lovely and incredibly talented Countess Vaughn coming to guest star. Oh my God! The day of table read, she was pee-in-your-pants funny. The writers were howling, we were howling, so I knew she was history – banished into the cornfield. Many years later, after she had her own show, I had to tell her when she asked me why. ‘Miss Janet why did I get cut from the episode,’ she asked? Simply, my darling, you were too good,” she recollected.
She then goes on to detail her sudden and unexpected termination from “Fresh Prince.” Back then rumors swirled that they simply wanted a lighter skinned mother to play the role. Looks like Vivian Banks is ready to let all the skeletons out the closet two decades later. BV has the rest of the scoop.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:07 AM
She needs to quit with that light skinned crap…Get over it!!!!!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:09 AM
I saw Will Smith’s True Hollywood Story, and according to that, she got fired because she wanted an unreasonable raise. So they fired her and got someone else. Her skin tone had nothing to do with it.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:09 AM
First!!! Not suprising.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:10 AM
Not beliving this! Let it go!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:10 AM
Yeah She’s been saying this for many years I’m not surprised at all.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:11 AM
First I must say I absolutely adore “The Fresh Prince” series and I was PISSED when they replaced Aunt Viv with the light skinned lady. WTF?? That was so odd!! And it was obvious what they were doing with her role. In season one she was a intelligent and sophisticated professor. By season 2 and 3 she was whining and acting like a damn idiot. They dumbed her character down and then lightened her up and replaced her!!! I’d be mad too!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:11 AM
oh lorddd SIT DOWN
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:12 AM
Also, all of the actors on The Fresh Prince were like family. They talked about how they loved each other and loved Will Smith. They loved working on that show. Why is she trying to ruin Will’s good name? I like what Will Smith does professionally and personally with his family. He blossomed into an A-List actor making millions per movie. Why is she tripping 20 years later?
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:12 AM
Bitter much Miss Janet? I highly doubt Will Smith had the juice to say who was going to be on The Tonight Show in the first season, especially. Who else would have been on there? He was the star of the damn show. Stop it Miss Janet!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:12 AM
So thats the only part you saw in that whole paragraph? Sounds like your not over it since you picked that out of countless things.
I loved her as Aunt Viv, the other lady was boring as hell..I guess thats what Will wanted so he wouldn’t get outshined. Anywho, Carlton was the true comedy cow, Carlton MADE the show, if he left/was replaced the show would have been garbage.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:12 AM
At the end of the day…..it was his show…was it not?
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:12 AM
I guess you were there Peanut Butter, huh! You know all the facts dear!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:13 AM
I herd that’s why she was fired because she wanted a ton of money…. It had nothing to do with her colour. She wasn’t even funny to me on the show!!! Lady go find a REAL J.O.B.!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:13 AM
I dont think she put Will on blast I think she put the producers on blast – in any event i dont think the book will change much (as far as perception is concerned)
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:13 AM
why release this now?
i think she is just trying to tear him down now that he is one of the highest grossing actors…PERIOD
ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY THIS: the original aunt viv was fierce as FxCK!!!! the newer one was so boring. no one will ever top the ballet episode when she showed those dancers how its done. BEST YET!!!!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:14 AM
And ya’ll need to read, NO WHERE IN HER PARAGRAPH DID SHE MENTION SKIN COLOR, Tasha said there were RUMORS that she got fired because of her skin color…READING IS FUNDAMENTAL!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:16 AM
OH edit* ive read this thing properly now(rushed through it the first time). i think she is putting will’s “people” on blast and not necessarily will, although it sounds like it…
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:16 AM
I’m sorry but how gullible are you? Celebs LIE on camera all the time.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:16 AM
Damn Aunt Viv. I remember hearing all kinds of shit when she was let go. I heard that Will used to memorize EVERYBODY’S lines and would correct them constantly when they were wrong.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:17 AM
I don’t really care about the rest of the things she has to say, but I will say she was the best Aunt Viv.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:17 AM
exactly!
all i’ve ever heard was pay raise…
but then again…i want there…
and didnt her book come out like last year???
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:17 AM
I believe her. I ♥ Will Smith as much as anyone else and I don’t think he directly did anything, maybe it was the producers. Janet does have a reason to gripe, they DUMBED her character down and then got rid of her and replaced her with a LIGHT damn near WHITE woman. So it would appear that they wanted a lighter Aunt Viv, even though they should have replaced her with a woman of the same skin tone.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:17 AM
Exactly!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:17 AM
Are we surprised here? It’s called the power grip of the EGO and this business is called show business for a reason. No business. No show. All mega superstars; Will Smith included do what they have to to be on top. And when you are at the top…trust that he had to slice a couple of throats to get up there. It doesn’t make him a bad person cause they all do it. It’s called competition.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:18 AM
Yes! I LOVED the original. The new one couldn’t dance, sing, nothing! And yeah that ballet episode was boss…
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:19 AM
Exactly lol. I guess some of the former cast members want to stay in Will’s good graces but Janet is like “I don’t give a f**k”…
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:19 AM
She needs to go sit down somewhere and let that mess go. What she is saying isn’t going to hurt Will’s career one bit. Didn’t then & won’t now. Seems like she’s just trying to get some promo so people can buy this book. Whatever….
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:19 AM
Hollywood is a very shady place, so this could possibly be true.
I agree with S&J. The second Aunt Viv was not funny and Carlton was the funniest one on the show.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:20 AM
oh i see not much has changed on the ybf
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:20 AM
hmmm…i cant figure out if that is commendable…or annoying…??? :lol:
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:20 AM
Does anybody remember when the season with the new Aunt Viv started, Jazz said, “Mrs. Banks, you look different”. I die everytime I see that episode!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:21 AM
I am a true Fresh Prince Fan and has never noticed the painted portrait in the background.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:21 AM
I loved that episode.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:22 AM
From the very first episode and first season. In season one it was a totally different set.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:25 AM
Yes, I’ve heard that many times too! And my sister pointed out to me that in all of the blooper scenes, Will always has to be in the shot! I was tripping when I noticed that. As far as Will and Aunt Viv, he has admitted in interviews that he was young and very egotistical back then! So I believe everything she says!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:25 AM
Yea I heard that too… but that could’ve just been a convenient excuse. Either way, the original Aunt Viv was hilarious and when they got the new Viv, the show wasn’t the same.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:25 AM
LOL, I never saw that episode, sounds funny tho! Jazz is a foo’.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:26 AM
Sooo…. where are the rest of the cast now!
Ashley – Y&R (Young & Restless)
Jazzy Jeff – back to DJ’n, I think
Carlton -?????
Philip – ????
Jeffy the butler – ????
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:27 AM
Welp…man…idk, lol
The show was good and I really liked her as Aunt Viv..she was soo intelligent and portrayed Uncle Phil’s counterpart really well. I loved her.
But seriously..this show done ended long time ago..so this book wouldn’t do any damage to anyone. Now if she was talking about Will Smith having trannys in his dressing room and what-not..then I would have a reason to be interested, lol.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:27 AM
Add one more: Where is Hillary – ???
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:29 AM
Preach!!!! :lol:
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:31 AM
LMAO yeah that part is mad funny
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:32 AM
As you can see I made three comments. My second comment is RIGHT under that comment. So how is that the only thing I saw? Seems like YOU are not over it since that is the only thing you quoted me on.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:33 AM
STFU! Tasha just posted that info under her picture. I wasnt there (DUH!) but I know what I just read. Maybe you cant read.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:34 AM
True true! I loved her as Aunt Viv! She had been saying this for a long time! It wouldnt surprise me! I love The Fresh Prince but sometimes Will was doing too much with that screaming and stuff!! I wish theyt would put it back on Nick at Nite!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:35 AM
Ok there is no smoke without fire and I think regardles of how nice people seem when they are extra successful at what they do it’s usually the result of hard work AND some serious shady antics!
Will’s career is far too established to be affected by this and she’ll just come across as bitter, but history has taught me that there is NO smoke without fire!
Hollywood, music industry and modelling industry is full of secrets that we probably wouldn’t even want to know when it comes to what people have done to family/friends etc to succeed!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:36 AM
You know what she wasn’t a great actress but she was funny and pretty so I’m surprised she hasn’t done much since!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:37 AM
Okay S&J…how gullible are YOU? If celebs, “LIE” all the time, then who knows if this lady isn’t lying? Do you believe her? Is she a liar too? Could she be lying in her book? Come the fuck on……….
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:38 AM
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Thu, June 18, 2009 11:38 AM
NO Aunt Viv, say it ain’t so. I’m choosing to ignore this since the fresh prince = my childhood lol
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:39 AM
True!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:40 AM
I always liked the episode when Carlton went to the hood bc they had a bet that he couldnt make it!! Love that episode
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:40 AM
It all sounds ugly, but I believe her. As to why now, I think she just needs to get it out there and off her mind. This is not going to damage Will in any way, but at least she can put it out there and hopefull move one. BTW the second Aunt Viv was awful!! I stopped watching faithfully when she came on board.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:42 AM
If Will Smith was truly concerned about being upstaged, he would have replaced “Carlton” too. I don’t believe her.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:43 AM
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs she killed it in that episode!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:43 AM
LOL! And he had them dudes investing in stocks and getting portfolios together by the time he was through…
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:44 AM
Did I say I believed her??? You are the one being gullible. Just because people act like everything is A okay, doesn’t mean it is. LOL, smh.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:45 AM
Is ya crazy… lol. Will was smart enough to know that he wouldn’t have a show without Carlton!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:45 AM
I think the show as a whole sucked after a certain point…like when they got to college. It was pretty funny still, but not how it used to be. I think it’s bc it’s believable when you have actors who are supposed to be in HS or w/e acting silly and cracking u up, but that stuff gets a lil corny when they supposed to be like 25 on the show and they still doing the same ol ish
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:46 AM
good point but we don’t know how funny Countess Vaugnh was, she could have been a real threat!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:47 AM
Aunt Viv #1 was a big hater! (I rarely use this word but it applies to her) Bottom line: She thought that she was so big of a star that she wanted a huge raise, which she didn’t get. She thought that she was the person that made the show, when in fact it was Will & Carlton; everyone else was replaceable. And to top it all off, she was described as being hard to work with. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her better than Aunt Viv #2, but her excuses are a bunch of BS.
It was not about her skin color; it was about her attitude. If it was about skin color, then why didn’t they kick off Tatyana Ali and get a lighter skinned actress? Better yet, why didn’t they cast Jada Pinkett instead of Nia Long for the role of “Lisa”? Jada tried out for the part and was turned down. Why were did they give Uncle Phil a darker skinned mother? Why didn’t they give Will a light skinned mother?
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:47 AM
LMAO i love ur name and gravatar!!! lmao
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:48 AM
Yea…that bitch is lying!! She wants promotion for her book. No one knows or even remembers her. So she goes after an A-List actor to get the right kind of promotion she needs. This won’t damage Will Smith’s career. It will just make her look even more thirsty than what she already is and was. She was the only one asking for a ridiculous raise…then she got replaced by someone less talented than she was. She needs to sit her ass down.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:48 AM
@ Ok Kanye
Is that Drake AKA Wheelchair Jimmy in your gravi? I’ve never seen that show so I didn’t know anything about this Wheelchair Jimmy character. And was that his name? Wheelchair Jimmy? That’s just rude…
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:48 AM
HELL YEAH!!! LMAO! And Aunt Viv (the real one lol) came up in that joint like “Yo! you better bring my baby home now!” lol… well, maybe not those exact words but that black woman in her came out!!! LOL regardless of how much money Uncle Phil made!! Loves it!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:49 AM
You guys need to get your facts straight. This woman was terminated because she was HORRIBLE to work with. So horrible in fact that she admitted it and tried to blame it on her pregnancy. She took the case to court and LOST! She’s just mad that she played herself….
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:49 AM
Ok the book should be called: “Its a Recession and I need some money because clearly I’m not doing anything else so I need to write a book about gossip that happened 15+ years ago so I can at least pay my rent and car note.”
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:50 AM
Wow! I LOVED the old Aunt Viv man….I was mad when they replaced her…the New Aunt Viv was wack as hell.
I’m sorry, but I’d be mad too if i was replaced, I mean seriously, who wouldn’t??
And I agree with everyone when I say that Ballet ephisode WAS hott!!! i’ll neva forget it!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:51 AM
Agree!!!! Countes Vaughn (however it’s spelled) wouldn’t even fit the show. AT ALL!!! She’s just the chubby tag along friend that’s semi funny in very show. Her on the Fresh Prince……..NEGATIVE
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:51 AM
Isn’t that the point?
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:51 AM
yes… that is Drake as Jimmy from the show degrassi! I dont know if that is his name on the show but that is why I cant take him seriously!! LOL I know Wheelchair Jimmy may not be the most PC name but hey…. it makes me smile! lol… I love Jimmy but IDK Drake just doesnt do it for me rap wise! He can sing his ass off tho
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:52 AM
Agree 100%!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:53 AM
but they wouldn’t be able to do that because then everybody on the show would be light skinned and that would be so obvious. Even if it wasn’t a skin tone issue about Aunt V being replaced they still changed her character for the worst-she wasn’t funny, intelligent or a strong character at all.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:53 AM
but they wouldn’t be able to do that because then everybody on the show would be light skinned and that would be so obvious. Even if it wasn’t a skin tone issue about Aunt V being replaced they still changed her character for the worst-she wasn’t funny, intelligent or a strong character at all. It’s the same thing they did to ‘Claire’ on my wife
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:54 AM
but they wouldn’t be able to do that because then everybody on the show would be light skinned and that would be so obvious. Even if it wasn’t a skin tone issue about Aunt V being replaced they still changed her character for the worst-she wasn’t funny, intelligent or a strong character at all. It’s the same thing they did to ‘Claire’ on my wife and
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:56 AM
She is not lying. They fired her while she was on maternity leave. Will said she had to go or he was leaving and they chose her.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:57 AM
Wow. I didn’t know that. She played herself and now she is trying to play Will.
LMAO!!!!!!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:57 AM
LMAO @ Wheelchair Jimmy! U know u ain’t right! I’m not even gonna lie, Degrassi was my show…it took me a minute to listen to his music cuz I was like uh uh, not Jimmy lol. I love his music tho, and yes…boy can definitely sing!
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:57 AM
I truly did admire Daphne Reid as an actress, and it definitely took me a while to get used to her as Aunt Viv, but Janet Hubert was the original Aunt Viv. She had this old-school sophistication about her.
I can understand that she (Janet Hubert) feels bitter and angry at having had the chance to shine in the role; and perhaps if she had remained as part of the cast her career would be further off than where it is now.
I hope she got enough of an advance for that book, and a high royalty rate too, so she won’t have to ever work in Hollywood, because she won’t endear herself too much to Will Smith with these revelations. And I’ll be suprised if she even gets straight to DVD work after this; Hollywood is rather not fond of snitches.
But best to her; she is a good actress.
And let’s face it, at the end of the day, Will Smith is a very powerful entity in Hollywood. Who will people tap most likely for their script?
But I try to understand her (Hubert). Sometimes in life when old folks or heck even when as a twenty something when you’re looking back at when you were in high school, you have regrets over things that might have been, and some make you shrug, while others make you angry and bitter, and regretful, and I suppose this falls in the latter category.
Will Smith’s ego? He’s no different than other actors. How many times have you heard the adage about the lower the bigger the ego, the lower the self-worth? There’s so much megalomania that goes on in Hollywood, so this doesn’t make me like him any less. But again best wishes to Ms. Hubert.
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:57 AM
*my wife and kids
Thu, June 18, 2009 11:59 AM
Countess stole the show in 227, (the neice that sang Somewhere over the Rainbow) so I’m quite sure she would have taken the spotlight away from tatayna, and maybe a little shine from Will… she wasn’t all dumbed down like she was on the Parkers or Moesha….as for Janet.. she was a great dancer so I’m not sure why she didn’t go back to dancing.. she was an established dancer before The Fresh Prince…
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:00 PM
It sound like she is putting Will’s people on blast, not him. It was a show built around Will’s character so it make sense that they wanted the spotlight to be on him first, then everyone else. And the whole lightskin thing, please. I never even heard that. I always heard she was difficult to work with. If they wanted a lighskin person she wouldn’ve never been there to begin with.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:06 PM
She was taking off earrings and everything just like somebody’s Mama! LOL!
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:08 PM
I read something about her some time ago…basically it was being said that she is quite different from the “Aunt Viv” character that she played, she was a diva, very demanding and rude on the set. It is said that she was hard to get along with so they had to replace her for someone else (the new Aunt Viv).
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:09 PM
Why don’t people read? Countess Vaughn was a guest on the show; she was never there as a permanent character.
Janet is just mad. And she has been mad for years trying to bring the show down. The whole crew got along and still get along to this day…but she is the only one complaining. What does that tell you? It’s you boo! You were the problem.
Will said he would memeorize the whole cast lines because that was the way he remembered his lines.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:09 PM
AGREED! The idea that Will Smith had a Matthew Knowles personality and would try to crush everbody’s star so only he would shine is not far fetched to me. If you are around successful people a lot you figure out it’s not luck why they succeed. IT’S USUALLY BCAUSE THEY ARE EVIL AND CUT THROAT AND WILLING TO STAB YOU IN THE BACK AND CUT YOUR THROAT TO GET TO THE TOP.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:10 PM
LOL … thats how I ffelt! Anytime I hear him start to rap I think about that episode where he didnt want to join the special basketball team!! lol… I know Im wrong and Im probably going to hell for it too 8-O LOL
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:12 PM
YES YES YES!! LOL… that episode always makes me laugh so hard! And the one where vivica fox played Jazz sister! LMAO @ Carlton putting her in her place! Love this show
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:12 PM
You are on point…Carlton was the ish..I was actually watching season one..Carlton and Jeffrey kill me!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:13 PM
Will Smith a punk
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:15 PM
Everything you said is right on point.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:24 PM
Funny…Back in the day they use to say that she was the one with the attitude. I heard she was a straight DIVA and big demands and an even bigger ego.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:29 PM
It is not Will’s fault she got fired, it is her managers fault for telling her not to take the deal.
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:30 PM
B*tch its been years.. are you kidding me? It was the Will Smith Show not yours.. I was upset when your character changed because i didnt like the second lady. But its been years…Are you serious? You should have given it to GOD by now.. SMH
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:30 PM
Will Smith had no say. he was merely a kid and at he end of the day Directors and Producers no what they want…. All Will did was act and love he lime light aint no shame or blame in that..
Thu, June 18, 2009 12:52 PM
people so quick to call someone a bitch
we dont know what happened because we were not there
and i really doubt any of you KNOW WILL SMITH personally or even the producers…so everybody who told her to shut up needs to shut up their damn selves…BECAUSE WE DONT KNOW WHAT REALLY WENT DOWN!!!
Thu, June 18, 2009 1:29 PM
I wonder if when they play really old episodes with her in it on t.v. in these days if they still cut her a check.. she was better as aunt VIV
Thu, June 18, 2009 1:29 PM
I heard that Aunt Viv( the original) was a biotch to work with and she thought she was too theatre trained to do some of the lines on a damn sitcom! A friend of mine that works with Alliance Theatre here in Atlanta even told me that she was a biotchy diva when he dealt with her.
I think she has this thespian attitude that is not beneficial when you are not high on the actress list and furthermore in a pop culture that thrives of comedy.
Will has every right to be in every shot and memorize every damn line after all the show was the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”. It’s mighty funny that he is close to ALL this former castmates, so if he was that big of an azz I highly doubt they would be kickin it with him, no matter how A-list he is.
Thu, June 18, 2009 1:30 PM
You sound real ignorant and ONE-SIDED! Practice what you preach stupid. No one knows Will Smith, the producers, OR this “bitch.” So, if none of us were there and don’t know what really happened why are you only upset at the people siding with Will Smith and not the people siding with her? You seem very affected personally by this–especially because you are one-sided. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm……
Thu, June 18, 2009 1:42 PM
I heard this a long time ago.
Thu, June 18, 2009 1:56 PM
Honestly, I believe it. We have to keep in mind that Will Smith was pretty young back then so he may have did some thing that weren’t right. There’s no question that Janet played that part though!
Thu, June 18, 2009 2:09 PM
maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan sit yo ass down!
Thu, June 18, 2009 2:25 PM
Dam… Will was doing that gay sh*t back then? Acting like a liitle Queen wanting his way and obviously getting it to! LOL
Thu, June 18, 2009 2:26 PM
LOL….. Sounds like someone is bitter… I wonder if thats what the whole book is about????
Thu, June 18, 2009 2:42 PM
original viv was the best viv IMO. ya’ll remember the episode with her showing them girls how to really get down in that dance/exercise class?! LOL!
Thu, June 18, 2009 3:15 PM
WAKE UP YA’LL.. WHEN ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO REALIZE THAT
MS.WILL SMITH DOES NOT LIKE BLACK PEOPLE… HE AND HIS CRACKHEAD WIFE FROM BALTIMORE SUCKED AND F**@ED THEIR WAY TO THE TOP.. AUNT VIV’S CHARACTER WAS A TRIBUTE TO STRONG BLACK WOMEN.. THEY NEVER WANT TO SHOW THESE TYPES OF CHARACTERS ON TV, WILL WAS AND IS A BUFFOON WHO PUTS BLACK PEOPLE DOWN EVERY CHANCE HE GETS. I CAN’T STAND HIS CLOSETED GAY AZZ..
Thu, June 18, 2009 3:52 PM
seriously u r right maybe peanutbutter was one of the producers lol comm’n by now u should know celebs lie and lie to save themselve sn the story or not he mite have lied abt it.watever i liked ant viv more not that whitewashed replacement
Thu, June 18, 2009 4:07 PM
I believe this. When they had her on the show, she was a professor who also happened to be a dancer, and she was an active participant in the show. When they replaced her with the other woman, all the new Viv was a house mom who did nothing. Absolutely nothing. Did not like that at all. But she was not a big character, so I can see from that point of view.
Thu, June 18, 2009 4:13 PM
OMFG!!! That was my FAVORITE funny episode (my favorite hands down is when Will’s Father comes back).
I’m interested in hearing another side of the story. I won’t speculate on why this is coming so late in the game. But she is a VERY talented actress as is Will Smith.
Thu, June 18, 2009 4:41 PM
she has told this story several times without much detail. im sure the book will do well everyone was shocked by her replacement! im just hoping Will or the people around him werent such butholes! if so he has totally changed long before this book came out Thank Goodness for him!
Thu, June 18, 2009 4:57 PM
I’m not buying it. For one, Will didn’t have that kind of control. So, if her statements are directed towards him, she FAILS. She need to take it up with the producers. Aside from that, I don’t think any of the other actors support her statements because they are untrue. I mean, let’s get real. At least ONE other person would have come out in support of her statements. And no, I’m not buying all that “Celebs lie all the time” foolishness. The other actors have no real reason to “kiss up” to Will. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is syndicated several times over. Even if none of the actors work another day in their lives, I’m sure they will be OK. So, it’s not like they have anything to protect. What’s gonna happen? Will is gonna take them out of the re-runs? NO. Will is gonna make sure they never work in Hollywood again? NO. It’s not like many of them are working now! They have even guest starred in any of Will’s films, so it’s not like he’s hooking them up with jobs. I respect her as an actress, but she needs to let it go.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:01 PM
During the entire 5-year run of the show my closest friend was the Assistant Director (one of the nicest people everrrr).
This trick is LYING. Vivian couldn’t STAND that Will was getting all of the attention but it was HIS show. So she starting acting out on the set something aweful. She would curse Will Smith out storm off in the middle of scenes, argue with everyone. She was a PAIN IN THE ASS. They had to fire her because she began threatning Will. After they fired her, she was arrested for pulling a gun on some and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon (this was when her son was a baby and she was having problems with her marriage). This is a matter of RECORD so look it up.
Everyone on that show loved her dumb as in the beginning and in that role but she really had a few screws loose and seriously had it OUT for Will (ask yourself this: why is she STILL talking trash about him and the show – because she’s CRAZY and can’t let go of the past).
Truth.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:09 PM
someone tell this old bag its time for her meds. let her go play in traffic…..even if he did all that…WHO CARES like a million years later. Not like you had a career to worry about cause ya a$$ is still unknown
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:13 PM
Hmmm, I don’t know what’s the truth, but I definitely preferred the original Aunt Viv. It’s unfortunate that sometimes things don’t work in the “workplace” and when that happens, someone has to go (and it’s usually never the “star” of the show.) I like them both.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:22 PM
Sounds Like Someone’s Still Bitter About Being Let Go!
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:41 PM
I believe this!!! Janet was kicked off the show suddenly and she was one of my fav. characters. People dont like to believe this behavior goes on in the industry but it does, there are so many talented people that will never get work because of this. We see a famous singer doing this right now to people, but everyone wants to think the stories are a farce.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:42 PM
THats what they are saying, what will they report about her being fired because of her complexion? No, The studios clean up it so no one believes the victim.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:44 PM
You don’t have to directly say it…your comments prove it. And I’m not being gullible. I’m analyzing the information given to me (on this blog and shows that I’ve seen) and I choose what information I want to take from it. That is far from being gullible…I don’t believe everything poeple say and I surely don’t believe everything I read on blogs.
Now, you’re right about people acting like everything is okay when it may not be. But if everything wasn’t okay, why hasn’t at least ONE OTHER actor, producer, extra, assistant, or anyone else come out and say something too. NOT ONE other person has ever said anything at all. No one has confirmed this chick’s allegations. Will has worked with many many people now and at least one other person should have something to say about Will by now if half of this crap were true. But whatever…
This chick is still bitter and hurt decades later. It was her fault…she needs to get over it like I said earlier. She is upset at the wrong person. She is upset at Will like it is his fault that Countess Vaughn wasn’t on the show. He is the star but he isn’t a producer. She should learn her role. The show was “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air…it wasn’t about the aunt.
And I agree with a few of the above posters.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:48 PM
Yea that’s true. But if she said she wanted a raise then what??? It was also stated over and over by many people that she was not good to work with.
Thu, June 18, 2009 5:54 PM
I think Janet is just now coming out with the book because she is done acting. if she spoke out against this while still acting her career would have been black balled because Will Smith is a hot commodity to white people as far as film/entertainment. Will is very well connected even back when he first got his own show, how do you think he got his own show?? Will was only a rapper, not everyone gets a show unless you are well connected. Janet isnt trying to ruin Will’s career but she has the right to get her side of the story out, especially if she has never spoken about it. Will’s people had control over the Tonight Show because they may have threaten TS by using something they wanted……
Thu, June 18, 2009 6:01 PM
What if she was forced to say she wanted a raise? If she spoke up there would have been backlash? What if there was a threat on her career if she spoke up? Hollywood is different you cant run to your HR department to get a resolution, you are an independent contractor who needs to obtain future work in that industry so you will keep your mouth shut. What if she did want a raise because of how she was treated? There is alot of what if’s, thats why I dont rule out what she is saying…
Thu, June 18, 2009 6:08 PM
Good Point.
Thu, June 18, 2009 7:20 PM
Poor aunt viv….she needs a check bad in the recession because that fresh prince money has dried up like a raisin! she thought she was the star of the show and the producers told made her kick rocks with no socks. they showed her who the fresh PRINCE of bel-air really was. Ain’t nobody buyin that book but her family.
Thu, June 18, 2009 8:08 PM
@Omar
Damn, you sound like will smith rejected you. That was a lot of anger for someone who don’t personally know somebody! Did something happen?
Thu, June 18, 2009 8:32 PM
Eh why does this even matter now? I mean I did prefer her over the recast but its been how long?
I think its time to let it go if anything it just makes you seem bitter. Notice how none of the other cast members talk about this woman at all?
Thu, June 18, 2009 8:45 PM
Catch this. Nobody but nobdy can hold that role of Aunt Viv down like Janet Hubert. She made Aunt Viv come alive. As a matter of fact I ceased to watch the show after Janet left. There’s was no life in the character anymore. Do your thang Janet.
Thu, June 18, 2009 9:28 PM
The real truth was that she was a classically trained artist and that she resented the young dumb, uneducated “rapper” being on the show and she was somehow delusional enough to believe that she was the star – the show was called “Fresh Prince” of Bel-Air…. classically trained, but obviously not too bright.
After the first season she complained because she wanted more money than Will, and because she felt like the story lines were too focused on the Fresh Prince — imagine that?
Like a lot of actors on sitcoms do, she got out of pocket – thought she had more power than she did – but since the show was all about the “Fresh Prince” and she had a problem with him… how did she think it was gonna turn out.
She got a rep as a trouble and didn’t get much work after – which is a shame because she really was talented. But this here shows how her training was no match for her delusion. 20 years later she still not working and holding a grudge.
Don’t be bitter, be better!
Thu, June 18, 2009 10:31 PM
SOunds about right to me!
Fri, June 19, 2009 12:25 AM
my dear bloggers
I see you have set upon me and many of you are probably Smith Bloggers. I have no reason to lie about any of the details in my book. It is time to simply clear the lies that he told many years ago and that you all still continue to spread. I am going to do whatever it takes to protect my darling son and his life, which was affected by your vulger comments and lies. I am the original mother, and for bloggers like peanut butter, or jelly or whoever you are young lady you should be ashamed of your vulgarity. This is really a young site. but please all of you we are doing amazing things for our children on my site. In order to move forward I must clear this pipe that has been blocked for years. BTW I have never worked at the Alliance theater in atlanta, I want Mr Smith to finally apologize for all the harm he did to my family, especially my son.
It would be an amazing day in the black race to see support for a sister one day.
be blessed all
janet hubert
Fri, June 19, 2009 1:44 AM
Who was your friend name, names I will. only on the show for 3 years so and Will was the executive producer in the end. He wanted to get rid of the entire family. Met with CBS. Notice he is saying nothing thus far. It will all be revealed for now there will finally be peace. the sentence is over and I have served my time in the hearts of all of these mindless powerless bloggers who hide behind the keys of a computer and feel like they have a voice. My voice will finally be heard. Happy fathers day to my late dad and my late brother, I have begun to clear our name.
be blessed bloggers.
Mom
Fri, June 19, 2009 2:32 AM
i can’t wait when she does the book tour. how awkward is that going to be?!
Fri, June 19, 2009 2:39 AM
HOW MANY TIMES IS SHE GOING TO BRING THIS UP???
SHE WAS NEVER CLOSE TO THE STAR OF THE SHOW, SO WHO CARES???SHE MUST BE BROKE.
Fri, June 19, 2009 4:14 AM
I love the original Aunt Viv! Having said that, I also liked the second Aunt Viv. It was clear that the writers dumbed down the character, but maybe that was only because they didn’t want (or perhaps couldn’t find) someone to fill Janet Hubert’s shoes. I commend Ms. Reid for stepping into the middle of a hot series and replacing an established character. I think they both brought something to the part.
Having said that…
Showbiz is a trip. I know some of the sweetest people, who in private situations would do anything to help a friend, but in business situations would cut that same friend’s neck and then say ‘thems the breaks, business is business.’ I also know that it is really hard to stay grounded when you are young and popular and everyone around you is telling you how great you are.
I love Will Smith, he seems like a really cool guy and he’s a great actor, so talented! But he was in his late teens early twenties when Fresh Prince hit big. I’m sure he made some mistakes along the way. He isn’t perfect. No one is. I also heard the same story, that Ms. Hubert asked for too much money and that was the reason she was dismissed. Maybe that’s true too. In the end only the people who were directly involved know the truth.
But here’s something else I’ve been thinking about. Fresh Prince was such a hit show, but there were NO SPINOFFS for it. Most of the cast vanished or found smaller roles on other shows, etc. Will was the star, he became an even bigger star as he got older. How many of those movies that you’ve seen him in had cast members from Fresh Prince in them? I don’t remember any off the top of my head. Will just got bigger and bigger. Rightfully so, because he was the star of the show, but still…
When you look at The Cosby Show, it’s a whole different story. Cosby hooked his cast members UP! All of the young talented members got their own shows. He even gave Raven a hook up with Disney once she got older. That put her back on the map. She in kind, pushed for her kid brother on That’s So Raven to have his own spinoff show.
Will helped Tatiana Ali while she was on the show (I think) with her singing career when they wrote it into the script. I don’t know how much of that was his doing or the producers, but what about the rest of the cast? I think Alfonso Rivera (Carlton) is hosting Deal or No Deal on the Game Network. WTF? He is so talented, and it’s great to see him working but he can do so much more! He should be in movies or have his own show!
Just some food for thought.
Fri, June 19, 2009 4:16 AM
PS. that ballet scene KILLS! My all time favorite episode!
Fri, June 19, 2009 6:53 PM
Is it really you Aunt Viv! LMAO!
Fri, June 19, 2009 11:06 PM
I like Wil Smith, but oh schnap, she finally feels comfortable enough to tell what went down. She was good on the show. She was funny, classy, and a good fit for the dad. I didnt like the 2nd mom at all. She was dingy not that good of an actress and added nothing to the mix. I think everyone else on the show was just too scared to speak up. Janet seemed like the feisty one of the group. Some people just dont kis a**.
Mon, June 22, 2009 2:08 PM
sounds like a hater to me….get over yourself Viv.