One ofJada Pinkett Smith’s earliest acting roles was on the hit sitcomA Different World— and according to the actress and her mom, they haveDebbie Allento thank for getting her the gig.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at this week’sRed Table Talk, Smith, 51, and motherAdrienne Banfield-Jonesreminisce with Allen, 72, about the iconic series. Banfield-Jones, in particular, still remembers the “amazing” feeling of seeing her daughter on the series for the first time.
“I remember the day that she was going to premiere on the show. I can remember sitting in the living room with my family,” says Banfield-Jones, 69. “I was so excited. I was so excited for her and I’ll just never forget.”
Tommaso Boddi/Getty, Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
Banfield-Jones then recalls how Smith told her Allen was going to “write a part” for her on the series. Because of that, Banfield-Jones says to Allen: “We owe everything to you.”
But Allen politely disagreed with that sentiment regarding Smith and her family. “You don’t owe me,” she says, “because she walked in ready.”
Red Table Talk with the cast of A Different World.Matthew Brookes
Smith joinedA Different Worldas Lena James in season 4 in 1991. She remained on the show through its final season.
For the first time, theA Different Worldcast is reuniting on Smith’s family’s Facebook Watch series. The upcoming special will see them will share never-before-heard behind-the-scenes tidbits about the series, as well as joyous memories from that time.
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A special episode ofRed Table Talkwith the cast ofA Different Worldwill stream Monday at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on Facebook Watch.
source: people.com
