HOW JORDAN L. JONES BROUGHT HEART AND DEPTH TO AN ICONIC ROLE IN BEL-AIR

BY JESSE ZAPATERO

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, PHOTO ASST: ANDREW LOPEZ, LOCATION: GM STUDIO DTLA

In our exclusive INTERVIEW with “Bel-Air” actor Jordan L. Jones, he opens up about the unexpected path that led him to redefine the iconic role of Jazz and how his creative passions stretch far beyond the screen. With his natural swagger and authenticity, Jordan brings a new depth to a character many fans thought they knew. "At first, I turned down the audition," Jordan admits with a laugh. "But then I read the script and thought, 'Yo, this is dope. I can actually do something with this.'" His reluctance turned into an opportunity to make Jazz his own, breathing life into a character who, as Jordan puts it, "has layers, emotions, and struggles that the original Jazz never got to explore."

Off-screen, Jordan’s creativity extends to Twitch, where he streams video games like *Call of Duty* and *Madden*, giving fans a glimpse into his world outside of acting. But it’s his portrayal of Jazz that resonates most deeply, especially in moments of vulnerability—like navigating a love triangle or dealing with insecurities. "I had to tap into my own experiences," he reflects on Jazz’s heartbreak in Season Two, adding, "Some of the stuff Jazz goes through, I’ve gone through too. It’s been easy to bring to life." Dive into the full interview where Jordan shares insights on balancing faith, his creative journey, and how his mother’s lessons of perseverance continue to guide him.

Hi Jordan! How are you doing? Anything that keeps you creative and excited recently?

I'm doing well. I'm doing great. I'm blessed and highly favored. What keeps me creative and excited recently? Just acting, going to auditions, and, you know, doing other projects. I really just love being in different characters and bringing that to life, and seeing, you know, the people's reactions, because, you know, it's hard to do. And so when you do something and you shoot and you don't see it right away, and then you can finally see it on TV, and you see what everybody's talking about. You see the lives- but you could change just with the characters you played, and that is very, very exciting, and something I really love doing. Also, right now I've been Twitching a lot, uh, just streaming, because I play a lot of video games.  Call of Duty, Madden, NCAA, NBA 2k- it’s  so since I play so many games. I was like, why not start streaming and showing the people kind of like what I do outside of my job.

What was it like stepping into the shoes of such an iconic character like Jazz, someone fans remember from the original "Fresh Prince," but in a completely different genre?

Man, stepping into the shoes of jazz was number one, just a privilege. Fresh  Prince is still one of my favorite shows. And I know that every season, every episode, I’ve watched each episode hundreds of times. I know it like the back of my hand. So the fact that I could even play someone who is just so cool and  one of the fan favorites of the show, is incredible and just a blessing that they look at me to do that. And we’re in a different genre now, I kind of make my own choices, because a lot of stuff that this Jazz does, the original Jazz didn't get that opportunity. 

The original Jazz didn't end up with Hillary, and  was kind of just funny, and that's not who my character is. My character has many more layers just because of the genre. And so not that it's harder to do, but it's like, play that character exactly how you want to play that character but can you revamp this character and make him likable? And so far, I think I'm doing a great job. 

When you first got the script for "Bel-Air," what went through your mind, especially knowing it was a dramatic reimagining of a beloved comedy? 

Well, there's two answers to this question. 

First, I actually turned the audition down. I know that's crazy, but I turned it down just because, at first I didn't get the script, so I just got the character breakdown. And it was like, we want y'all audition for Jazz to be in the new Bel Air. And I was like, man, hell no. You know, just with the stipulation of reboots, usually people just have this type of judgment already because a show is so good, you just bringing it back. Some people call it lazy. 

So at first I turned it down, but then when I got the script the next day, because my manager was like, I can't let you turn this down, which, by the way, never happens. We never go back and forth after the first day. If you, you know, if you say you don't want to do an audition, we're gonna have a conversation about it, but once we hang up that phone, that decision has been made. So the fact that, they came back the next day and was like, we can't let you turn it down. And gave me the script. I read the script, and I was like, Yo, this is dope. Because  my main thing was, I didn't want it to be a comedy. I think that's the reason why I turned it down, because if we do the same exact show, multicam comedy, sitcom, it's like this show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air the original. It's still relevant, you know, and people still watch that to this day. So finally, reading the script, I was like, wow, we could actually do something with this. And I mean, so far we have, so it's been great.

How did you want to make Jazz your own while respecting the original character? Jazz is often seen as the comedic relief in "Bel-Air," but your portrayal adds layers of depth and emotion. How did you find the balance between comedy and the more serious, grounded moments in the show?

It wasn't hard to make Jazz my own. Because, like what I've said earlier, there was nothing to really compare this character to. Jazz was cool, he had good swag. He was Will's best friend, but the situations that Jazz from the original went through, this character doesn't really go through. 

So it's not like I could go and study the original Jazz and pull this Jazz off, it's not a comedy, this is a drama. So I'm not too funny in this. I'm more human. I do have a lot of depth and emotion, and that's just, credit to the writers and the genre of it, and them expanding the character and allowing me to have all these layers of the stuff that I go through with my shop, and losing it with my girl. And trying to balance friendships and business. I love this, and I'm so happy about the writing. I'm so thankful, because I never want to be boxed in as an actor. I have serious moments. You know, I show a lot of emotion, and I do some funny stuff, not too much, but I pick and choose my spots in the show itself. Yes, it is grounded, but I feel like jazz has so many layers and different kinds of personalities depending on the situation, I kind of have to be myself and shout out to the original DJ, Jazzy Jeff, because when I met him, he said the same thing. He said, ”Hey, man, just keep doing what you're doing. Don't worry about me, just keep doing what you're doing.“  And his son told me that I was making a family proud. So, with that being said, I was like, okay, I just gotta trust myself. 

In the series, Jazz becomes a critical link between Will's past in Philadelphia and his new life in Bel-Air. How do you personally relate to this dynamic of being someone’s anchor, and what personal experiences did you draw from to bring this to life?

We actually talk about this all the time. I can completely relate to my character. And we have this saying in the acting world, where art imitates life. And a lot of my personal experiences are stuff that we go through. Jazz is a kid from South Central. I'm from Inglewood, California. In that first episode, when I say, this town will try to make you forget who you are and where you came from, don't let it do that. That's something my mom actually always instilled in me. I was a kid from South LA, but went to private school in Brentwood and on Melrose, and one of the things that my mom was always so proud of me is that no matter what room I'm in, I stay myself.  just keeping elements of yourself at all times, no matter what arena that you're in. And so, we always laugh, because art imitates life, some of the relationships stuff that Jazz goes through, I've gone through, some of the friendship stuff Jazz and will go through, I went through. So it was actually very easy to  bring this to life.

Your relationship with Hilary adds an intriguing layer to your character. The love triangle between Jazz, Hilary, and Lamarcus brought a lot of drama in season two. How did you approach playing Jazz’s vulnerability, especially in those moments of heartbreak?

I love the drama when me and Hillary break up and she gets with him, I love that because it just brings a lot of juice to the script, and people are watching it like going crazy on Twitter and all these things. It's so great to see Jazz's vulnerability and heartbreak. It's so interesting you asked this, because some of the stuff, not that I had a problem with it, but I would kind of forget, because, like I said in an earlier question, Jazz and I were very similar, so I'll forget sometimes that I'm playing a character. So there's one episode in season two where my card declined while I'm at dinner with Hillary, and it's just so funny, because Jazz's reaction is very defensive, and he's like, well, if it was LaMarcus, then you would have let him try again. And I was talking to the writers about it, and I was like, Man, I would never bring up another dude in front of my girl, you know, to show like, these insecurities. Like I could be insecure, but me, personally, I would just hold it down inside and tell my friends or my mom, but not in front of my girl.  And the writers were like, well, that's you this is Jazz. And I was like, oh my god, I forgot- you're right. I'm not jazz. I'm actually Jordan. So I kind of had to tap into certain things that I was vulnerable about and just seeing the character through his eyes and like, you know, at the end of season two, he apologized for his insecurities. But I get insecure and stuff all the time. I mean, I handle it like Jazz, but it is reasonable. It is human. So I just had to kind of hone into that, the human nature of Jazz and how some people make mistakes. Say things that maybe they wouldn't say if they look back at it. So I kind of got there and then did those scenes. Because, you know, obviously, Hillary, Coco Jones, she's just such a great actress. You know, we killed those scenes. 

Speaking of that relationship, many fans were rooting for Jazz and Hilary. How do you think their relationship challenges traditional portrayals of Black love on television, and why is that important to you?

I really enjoy the dynamic between Jazz and Hilary—their back and forth, the love they have for each other, but the realization that they can’t be together. That speaks volumes because a lot of love is like that. People want everything to be perfect and easy, but that's not how life works. I love how we're showing these two characters who care deeply for each other, yet their emotions and personal insecurities get in the way. Jasmine's insecurity, Hilary assuming Jazz is insecure, and then LaMarcus entering the picture—he has more money, was her ex, and they share a past. It's complicated, just like real life. Sometimes you love someone, but the timing isn't right. Sometimes you're in a relationship with someone else while still having feelings for another. I think Hilary and Jazz are just on different paths right now. As you've seen, they've been together, broken up, reconnected while she's engaged—it's far from simple. Love is complicated, and I'm glad the show portrays that. So many shows focus on everything being perfect and happily ever after, but this one shows that love can be messy and tumultuous.

Jazz represents more than just a friend in this show—he’s a symbol of Will’s roots and a reminder of where he came from. How do you see Jazz’s role evolving in future seasons, especially as Will continues to grow into his new life?

That's a great question. I'm not sure how Jazz's role will evolve, but I hope he and Will get closer. In the original, they didn’t have to explain much about their relationship. DJ Jazzy Jeff just walked in, and everyone cheered because they knew in real life he was Will's close friend. I love that dynamic, and I hope to see more of it. Will comes from South Philly and is trying to fit into this predominantly white Bel-Air crowd, and I'm glad I get to be the one to remind him that he doesn’t have to be like them. He can stand out by being himself, and people will gravitate toward him. I think that will help strengthen our bond in future seasons, but honestly, I trust the writers. I know our relationship will evolve, but I'm not sure exactly how. Our friendship is solid, and from the way we met, I gave him a lot of wisdom.

In this new dramatic retelling, "Bel-Air" touches on heavier societal issues like police brutality and mental health. How do you feel the show reflects the real-world challenges facing young Black men today, and how do you hope your character contributes to these conversations?

I think it’s really important that we address these issues. I remember in season two, when Ashley’s teacher, played by Tatiana Ali, was wrongfully terminated because of the curriculum she was trying to teach. That’s real. It happens, and we shouldn’t gloss over it just because it’s TV. These are problems people actually face. In season three, my character deals with gentrification. I’m paying higher property taxes because Omar is tearing down businesses in a Black neighborhood to build a massive park or development, similar to what’s happening in Inglewood right now. My mom is over there—she bought property, but they’re tearing down a lot to build the Intuit Dome, and SoFi is nearby. A lot of long-standing businesses are being bought out, even ones that have been in families for generations. Now, people are forced to make tough decisions—keep the family business going or sell and start fresh. This is a real issue, and I’m glad my character gets to explore it. He has to decide if he’s going to take the money and start over or keep his uncle’s shop going, no matter the challenges, because of the value it holds for the community. These conversations are so important, and I’m happy that Jazz gets to be part of them.

You’ve spoken before about your faith playing a crucial role in your life and career. How has that foundation helped you navigate the ups and downs of Hollywood, and do you see Jazz as someone who shares that grounding in faith?

I think my faith in God has helped me navigate everything, whether it’s Hollywood or any situation in life. I have a chain on my neck, a necklace that says, "Call God." To me, it means that, in both good and bad times, I need to thank God. We often thank God when something good happens, like getting a role or receiving money, but I believe we also need to thank Him during difficult times. If you aren’t religious, you may thank the universe, but for me, it’s God. There are ups and downs in life, and we shouldn’t only be grateful when things are going well. I believe you grow through what you go through. Even in tough situations, you can look back and realize you’re a better person for having gone through it. It wasn’t a loss, but a lesson. You should thank God even in the midst of challenges, because when you come out the other side, you’ll be stronger and more emotionally aware. That understanding contributes to a better life.

Jazz is similar. He's Muslim, and while it doesn’t matter what you believe in, in season three, he’s going through a tough time where he’s about to lose his shop. Instead of chasing the money, he sticks with the legacy he believes in, even though he doesn’t know how he’s going to manage it financially. His faith and belief in God carry him through, and that’s something we both share.

Your bond with Jabari Banks, who plays Will, comes across so naturally on screen. How did you two build that off-screen friendship, and how does it inform the authenticity of your scenes together?

Man, Jabari is my boy. He knows things that other people will never know, and he’s really like my brother. Working with him has been amazing, and I appreciate that fans and viewers see the natural chemistry we have on screen. It's not just Jabari; it’s the whole cast—Ali, Coco, Simone, everyone. Specifically with Jabari, it started from day one. When we met, it was like, "Yeah, this is my guy." We could have just left it at work, but for some reason, we kept hanging out. After our first scene together, we ended up going out, and it felt so natural—just like the storyline of Will coming to LA and me showing him around. It’s parallel to real life, where Jabari had just come to LA for the first time, and I was showing him the ropes. We clicked right away, and that connection has only grown stronger. I always remind my castmates that it’s rare to have this kind of bond. Many jobs come and go without the same level of friendship, but with this cast, we’re genuinely friends, and I don’t take that for granted.

Having a mother who is also an actor, how has her career and support shaped your journey? What lessons did she impart that have guided you through your own experiences in the industry?

Seeing my mom be a single mother and an actress in a world as up and down as Hollywood has been inspiring. She sacrificed a lot to give me a good education and opportunities, and once I graduated from USC, I saw how God blessed her for doing the right thing. Her journey taught me not to quit, no matter how long it takes. I’ve gone through periods where I wasn’t booking major roles after being on a hit show, but I never wanted to quit because my mom didn’t. She’s always taught me that things don’t happen on our time, but on God’s time. You may be impatient, but God is saying, “Wait, your blessing is coming.” When I was up for two shows at the same time, I picked one, and it didn’t work out as I expected. But if I hadn’t picked that show, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to audition for Bel-Air and play Jazz. Everything worked out on God’s time, and now I’m on a show I wouldn’t trade for the world.

"Bel-Air" is not just a reboot, but a reimagining of what it means to grow up Black in America. How does Jazz’s character fit into that larger narrative, especially in terms of representing different facets of Black masculinity?

I think Jazz fits into the larger narrative, but so do all the characters. I grew up with so many different types of Black people. You’ve got the inner-city kid hustling to make a name for himself, and then you’ve got someone like Will, who comes to a wealthy neighborhood and has to figure out how to act. Carlton represents another side—someone who grew up differently and might be seen as "whitewashed," but is still Black. The show does a great job of representing every facet of Black life, from Black love between Viv and Uncle Phil to Jeffrey’s relationship with his son. We’re not all the same, but we share similarities, and I think the show reflects that diversity within the Black experience.

One of the things that stand out about your portrayal is Jazz’s confidence and swag. Where do you find the inspiration for that aspect of his personality, and do you think it reflects who you are off-camera as well?

A lot of Jazz’s confidence and swag comes from me. I appreciate the compliment! I feel like I’m a confident and swaggy person, so I just brought that into the character. Of course, we’re a little different, but I didn’t have to change much in that regard. The original Jazz was cool, and I like to think I’m cool too, so I didn’t need to tweak that part of the character. Acting is about being authentic, and I felt I could bring my own authenticity to Jazz, which made the role feel natural.

Will Smith’s involvement as an executive producer is something many would dream of. What’s the best piece of advice he’s given you, and how has it impacted your work on the show?

Having Will Smith as a producer is amazing. He’s such a down-to-earth and cool guy, and working with him is a dream come true. One of the best pieces of advice he gave us was about staying in the moment. He talked about how, during a Bad Boys premiere, he was watching himself in the first Bad Boys and remembering how he felt back then—like he wanted to be this big movie star. But he realized he already was a movie star, even then. His advice was to stay in the moment. It’s great to have goals and aspirations, but don’t forget to appreciate where you are right now. You’re already that person. If you’re too focused on the future, you’ll miss out on the present, and that can mess up your journey. That advice really resonated with me as a creative. We’re always looking for the next thing, but we need to be proud of where we are now.

We see Jazz struggling with the idea of belonging—whether it's in his relationship with Hilary or his connection to Will’s new world. How do you think that struggle mirrors real-life experiences for those who feel like they’re straddling two different worlds?

That struggle is very real. We’re all trying to find where we belong. I used to compare myself to others a lot, and as they say, "Comparison is the thief of joy." In high school, I didn’t really fit into any one clique, but I was friends with everyone. My mom always told me not to change for anyone, and that stuck with me. I think people struggle with belonging because they want to fit into places where they don’t really belong. As you grow older and gain more life experience, you realize that you don’t need to force yourself into spaces where you’re not wanted. The people who truly value you will naturally gravitate toward you. So don’t waste time trying to belong where you’re not appreciated. Focus on being yourself, and the right people will come into your life. You’re valuable, and you deserve to be where you’re wanted

As someone who has experienced the pressures of stepping into a beloved franchise, how do you handle the expectations of fans while staying true to your own creative process?

Man, I don't care. (laughs) It's really not pressure. I think the only pressure that we ever felt was right when the first trailer dropped. Well, right before the first trailer dropped, just because we hadn't seen it. We had shot this season. We hadn't seen one episode. We have big shoes to fill. And it was like, Man, I hope this is right. And when the first trailer dropped, I got so many text messages and comments like, Yo, this looks insane. So at the end of the day, that was the only pressure I ever felt. Our writing and stuff is so good to me, and every character was casted perfectly to me, to where we all have this chemistry and stuff, where it's kind of like riding a bike, you know? We just know, we’re in the flow. We are not even thinking about it. So it's not like I, you know, fans want me to do anything. I don't. I don't really, it really doesn't matter to me. And if you're talking specifically about expectations of fans, like, how they want me to be in the show, that really has nothing to do with me. It's all the writing I can, you know, I bring my own twist and stuff to the show, but it's mainly about that's about the writing. And my creative process has nothing to do with what the fans want. It has everything to do with the character that I'm trying to tackle. 

What’s a valuable lesson that you’ve learned that you always carry with you?

I think the most valuable lesson I've literally learned was to, like, keep your blinders on. Jimmy Iovine said this once when he was talking about horse races, and how if you watch a horse race like the Kentucky Derby or anything you can, you can see that horses have like, these things on the side of their eyes. They're called blinders. And the reason why they have those on is because if they look to the right or look to the left. They could miss a step, they could slow down. They can fall, you know. So basically, those horses are all only looking at the finish line. We live in a world of social media and all these things all the time, and just just comparison, comparison, comparison. You can be an actor who sees somebody your age, your race, they got a role that you auditioned for, and you're like, man, I was for me. That was for me, that was for me. That's some bull- I'm better than him, I'm better than her, or what I can sing better, or whatever. That's their journey. Is not yours. That's their race, and it's not yours, because, I promise you, I'm a big culprit if I used to do that. I auditioned for this thing. I didn't get it. I looked at this other person, and I didn't hate him or anything, but I was just like, I was just like, I just felt like I deserved it. But by the time you get to the finish line, you're gonna look back and see maybe they weren't even all that. Maybe that person who got that role, that was the only role that they ever got, and afterwards they, you know, whatever happened to them, and they didn't, but you waited three years, and now you are a movie star, but you wanted to be them at one point. So you gotta get your mind out of trying to compare yourself, and it's very it's easier said than done, because social media, you can pick up a phone and just do that, but I don't look at that that way anymore, because literally, just like I said, like, by the time you are if you are looking left and right, you'll look left and go see them, pass you up. You can look right. You can see you going ahead of them. You can get too cocky, you know, but if you just finish your race, that is your finish line. That's where you need to get. You can take longer. You can take it shorter. It really doesn't matter at all. And kind of on the same concept of race. My mom always says this, and I always, you know, it stuck with me forever. And it's literally three words, she just says, Stay in line. Just stay in line. It doesn't go back to what I said earlier. It's like, no matter what it is, like your finish line is your finish line, as long as you end. So if we're at the same establishment and we're all in line, you might get there before I do, but as long as I stay in line, even if I'm at the end, I'm gonna get there one way or another. As long as you stay in line, somebody can do things like drop a hit single. Oh, my God, I'm a singer wife, and I've been, you know, discovered yet, but they might have one hit single. It may take you three year. Victoria Monet like I can name people, it can take you years to do what you know. You can be working at it for years, and by the time you get to where people are like, wow, you're popping you may be the biggest thing of all time, but if you quit and you didn't stay in line, and you got out that line because the line was too long, you'll never get in so stay in line and keep your blinders on.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why? 

I think the title of my book would be called, life ain't gonna be what it ain't gonna be. And I say it like that because I feel like happiness sometimes is a choice at the end of day, life is what life is.

You can plan. My mom always says life is what happens when you're busy making plans. You can plan to go to the store today. You could plan it yesterday, that today I'm going to the store, but you walk outside and your car is gone. So do you just collapse and not live? Or do you find alternatives, you know? So at the end of the day, I say that in a specific note, but in the concept of life, there are going to be ups and there are going to be downs, right? So life is with just what life is. It's never going to be what it's not going to be because it's not it, you know, it's never life's not going to be all peachy keen. Why is it not? Because it's not because that's not how life is. So if you realize that, and realize that, look, life is going to be great. Right here. Life is going to be bad right here. But what you do is you stop trying to think about all the time what life could be, and you take life for what it is, and you just make the most of it. I feel like that's the key to happiness. So that the title wrong book will be called Life angle. Life ain't gonna be what it ain't gonna be, you know. So deal with it actually. Let's just put that in there. Life ain't gonna be what it ain't gonna be. So deal with it.