Exclusive: Bel-Air star Jabari Banks on being compared to the original Fresh Prince Will Smith

Exclusive: Bel-Air star Jabari Banks on being compared to the original Fresh Prince Will Smith

Jabari Banks would possibly simply be a basic, in a single day Hollywood success story.

Last 12 months, the 24-year-old scored the principle position in Stan’s Bel-Air, his first appearing credit score, taking part in the position that catapulted Will Smith to worldwide fame within the Nineties.

Ahead of the Season 2 premiere of Bel-Air, the younger actor spoke to 9Entertainment about new storylines, his connection to the world of The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, and the weird similarities he has with the real-life Will Smith.

The model new season of Bel-Air is now streaming, solely on Stan.

“I mean, it’s an honor. It’s an honor and it’s a privilege to be a part of this legacy, in a huge way,” Banks stated.

“And to bring this story back for a new audience and back to the old fans. And I’m grateful, just grateful.”

Jabari Banks, Will Smith, Bel Air
Jabari Banks landed the position of Will Smith in Stan’s Bel Air. (Stan)

Bel-Air is a modern-day reimagining of the basic sitcom that initially ran from 1990 to 1996. The new sequence follows Will Smith’s (the character, not the actor’s) difficult journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air, diving deep into racial stress, tradition shocks, and Black excellence.

“I’m excited for fans to find this family again. The dynamics have changed in an interesting way,” Banks stated of Season 2.

While he is solely 24, Banks has his personal recollections of rising up watching the basic sitcom. 

“I think that I was about one or two when I first saw [The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air],” he recalled.

“I remember I was watching [the show] when I first knew what television was. I was like, ‘Oh, this is TV. I’m watching something and I’m enjoying it.’ And it was definitely part of my core memories for sure.”

The real-life Colonial-style mansion featured in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Will Smith taking part in Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. (NBC through Getty Images)

Banks was born in Philadelphia, sarcastically the place his character Will can be from and it is also the place Will Smith grew up.

READ MORE: A better take a look at each present and film that is coming to Stan in March

But West Philadelphia, the place they had been each born and raised, is not the one similarity Banks shares with the Oscar-winner.

“[Smith] grew up in West Philly. I lived in West Philly. Philly roots all day. The real Will Smith, we both do music, and his he’s cool. And I’m cool. You know what I mean?” Banks stated.

“We’re both actors. We’re both passionate. We’re both passionate artists and he’s definitely influenced me heavily. I hope to do the same for the next generation.”

Bel-Air, Stan
Jordan L. Jones as Jazz and Jabari Banks as Will Smith in Bel-Air Season 2. (Stan)

At the tip Bel-Air‘s first season, Will found his mother, Vy (April Parker Jones), Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes), and Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) had been mendacity about his organic father’s whereabouts for his complete life. After assembly his actual dad, Lou (Marlon Wayans), Will deserted his Bel-Air life, returning again to West Philadelphia

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“Will is playing street ball again,” Banks stated. “He’s back doing the same thing that got him sent to Bel-Air. He placed some bets on games and he’s going down a path that maybe he shouldn’t, but he feels that this is the right way to go.”

But Banks assures us, that Will’s wild methods will not final ceaselessly.

“He has people around him to make sure that he’s safe always. Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akingbola) always somewhere. Geoffrey’s always watching!” he teased.

Banks clearly has a deep love for for present and his hometown in Philadelphia.

But when requested if he had to decide on between dwelling in Bel-Air or West Philly, his response wasn’t too stunning.

“I would definitely choose Bel Air,” he stated.

“I love West Philly, but I just feel like the houses in Bel-Air are a bit better. If I could have a house, a millionaire dollar house in West Philly, that might be the move.”

The model new season of Bel-Air is now streaming, solely on Stan.

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Nine Entertainment Co (the writer of this web site) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.

Source: www.9.com.au