Articles by Keith Underwood

Entertainment

Jordan L. Jones on Brotherhood, Identity, and the Creative Freedom He Found on ‘Bel-Air’ | VIDEO

Actor Jordan L. Jones didn’t just bring Jazz to life on Peacock’s reimagined drama “Bel-Air.” He evolved inside the role, discovering lessons about identity, confidence, and community that reshaped his sense of self on and off the screen. Jones, who moved from Texas to Los Angeles at around five years old, says one of the biggest takeaways from his journey is deceptively simple: stay grounded. “The biggest thing I carry is being in the moment,” he says. “Enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t lose yourself.” That idea took on deeper meaning as he stepped into Jazz—no longer a comedic sidekick, but a multidimensional character with humor, vulnerability, edge, and heart. “They wrote so many layers into Jazz,” he says. “The romantic side, the funny side, the serious side. All these emotions let me be a full human being.” For Jones, the cast became the heartbeat of that transformation. His bond with Jabari Banks, who portrays Will, is as real behind the camera as it appears on screen. “People ask us all the time if we really hang out, and we say, ‘Yes,’” Jones laughs. “We’ll be talking, and then they call action, and we go straight into the scene. That’s why it feels real.” The energy on set fostered unexpected connections. One of his closest friendships was formed with Simone Joy Jones, who plays Lisa, despite the ironic fact that their characters have never spoken to each other on the show. “That’s the crazy part,” he says. “We’ve been in the same scenes, but we’ve never had a line together. And yet we talk all the time.” When it comes to his scenes with Coco Jones, who plays Hilary, Jordan says their chemistry built itself. “When you’re on a show this long, nothing feels forced,” he says. “We joke around, we run our lines, and when they call action, everything just clicks. Jazz and Hilary already have a rhythm.” With the creative team’s trust, Jordan developed a confidence he hadn’t fully embraced before. He compares it to the athletes he admires—people who take big shots because they’ve put in the work. “I’d rather you shoot it over two people,” he says, “because you worked for that moment. Make or miss, I’m riding with you.” Then came the moments with executive producer Will Smith, whose presence on set was never announced in advance and was always unforgettable. Smith’s message to the cast—especially the young actors—was one that Jordan now carries with him. “He told us, ‘Don’t forget where you are,’” Jones says. “We’re always praying to get to the next thing, but we forget to acknowledge what we’ve already done.” The advice landed at exactly the right time. “You blink, and it’s over,” Jordan says. “That hit me. I needed to hear that.” Smith also shared the story of turning down “The Matrix,” a decision fans still debate. Jones remembers everyone’s reaction. “We were like, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘I just couldn’t understand it.’ But he told us everything happens for a reason. What’s meant for you will be for you.” As “Bel-Air” wrapped its fourth and final season, Jordan realized how deeply the experience had impacted him. “I cried probably 20 times,” he admits. “It felt like we just started yesterday. This cast… this experience… it changed me.” What he’s taking with him isn’t just a role—it’s a clearer sense of purpose, a deeper trust in himself, and a new understanding of artistic freedom. “‘Bel-Air’ showed me who I can be,” he says. “Not just as an actor—but as a person.” Wherever Jordan L. Jones goes next that clarity and confidence will go with him. From the column: Black in the Green Room By Keith L. Underwood – Follow: @mrkeithlunderwood (IG), @blackinthegreenroom (IG), YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook (If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!) MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Jasmine Sargent Brings Real Southern Heat to ‘G.R.I.T.S.’ on ALLBLK | Watch We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.