Jasmine Guy is speaking out after her return to A Different World prompted comments about her appearance instead of her performance.
The 64-year-old actress reprises her role as Whitley Gilbert in the Netflix sequel series, which began streaming on Sept. 24.
Nearly forty years have passed since Guy first played Whitley. But after the new show’s debut, some social media users criticized her looks.
Other viewers pushed back, calling the comments “cruel” and pointing out that Guy should not be expected to look the same as she did when the original series debuted in 1987.
Related: ‘A Different World’ Original Stars Reunite in First-Look Photos
Guy addressed the conversation in an Instagram post on Sunday, Sept. 27, reflecting on the pressure women face as they age in the spotlight.
“The internet can be brutal to women as we grow older. It asks us to celebrate life while criticizing every sign that we’ve lived it,” the actress wrote.
“Growing older brings change, and I won’t pretend every change is easy. But beauty, style, and joy don’t have an expiration date,” she continued. “Let’s spend less time judging ourselves and each other, and more time loving each other, making memories, and living the life we’re here to live.”
Her message drew supportive responses from celebrities and fans, including Tina Knowles who praised her as “accomplished, beautiful, graceful.”
A Different World aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993, and was a spinoff of The Cosby Show.
Guy’s return is part of a reunion that brings several familiar faces back to Hillman College. Kadeem Hardison reprises his role as Whitley’s husband, Dwayne Wayne. Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer and Charnele Brown also return as Ron Johnson, Freddie Brooks and Kimberly Reese.
Other original stars in the sequel include Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor, Glynn Turman as Col. Bradford Taylor, Jenifer Lewis as Professor Davenport, and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lena James.
The series introduces a new generation of students led by Deborah Wayne, Whitley and Dwayne’s daughter, played by Maleah Joi Moon.
The 10-episode series comes from creator and showrunner Felicia Pride, with Debbie Allen serving as co-executive producer and directing the premiere.
Original writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood are back and serve as executive producers on the new comedy alongside Mandy Summers (That 90’s Show) and Tom Werner (The Connors).
Since its debut, the reboot has been embraced by fans. Over the weekend, it was the No. 1 show on Netflix’s U.S. top ten list.
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