Bel-Air cast discusses gender norms and racial stereotypes at Syracuse University

On Saturday, Sept. 14, cast members of Bel-Air, a modern reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, took part in a panel discussion at Syracuse University, where they addressed the fight against gender norms and racial stereotypes in Hollywood.

The event was part of the university’s 14th Coming Back Together Black and Latino Alumni Reunion and featured cast members Simone Joy Jones (Lisa Wilkes), Alycia Pascual-Pena (Amira), and Olly Sholotan (Carlton Banks), along with Bel-Air executive producer JaNeika James (SU ’05), and Peacock’s vice president of title marketing Eric “Jones” Jones (SU ’99).

The panel centered on how the reboot was adapted to reflect modern times. The producers wanted to make sure that the female characters were not sidelined but rather given strong, independent voices. This intention is seen in characters like Amira, who has a vocal personality. The cast also discussed how Bel-Air offers a refreshing departure from typical portrayals of people of color, providing a more positive and nuanced environment rarely seen in mainstream media. 

Some of the panelists also expressed appreciation for acting as people of color in a setting of wealth, a rare portrayal in television. Sholotan remarked, “Entertainment reflects culture,” explaining how the show allows audiences to see characters who, despite their wealth, still face struggles–a theme often overlooked. He mentioned the importance of shedding light on the fact that wealth doesn’t eliminate personal challenges.

During the Q&A session, Sholoton elaborated on the significance of culture in cinema, noting how arts and entertainment can serve as a bridge between on-screen narratives and real-world issues. This underscores the show’s goal of highlighting societal inequities and addressing the socioeconomic gap through relatable content. 

Syracuse freshmen Allie Cassella and Lucy Fries, who attended the event, praised the panel for addressing important but often overlooked themes. “They mentioned how the purpose of art is to evoke an emotion,” Fries said. “I think it’s important as a communications major to always make sure your message has a purpose, and they made that really clear.”  

Similarly, Cassella said that “it was inspiring to see how much they cared for the development of the show as a whole,” particularly their willingness to tackle topics that are sometimes avoided in public discourse but need to be addressed more.

The cast said they look forward to continuing to weave social messages in future episodes and urges viewers to look deeper than what the show looks like at surface level. They also teased that the fourth season of Bel-Air is coming soon, so stay tuned!