'Bel-Air' Actress Simone Joy Jones Talks Protecting Her Spirit While Being In The Limelight
Her middle name is exactly what she is and exactly what she brings to our television screens. Introducing Simone Joy Jones, who most of us may know as Lisa Wilkes in the Peacock original series Bel-Air, the highly-anticipated reboot of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air executive produced by Will Smith himself. Bringing a new zillennial twist to the beloved story of Will Smith’s relocation from West Philly and adaptation to the Cali life, Bel-Air gives our favorite on-screen family the same love and warmth that we remember while also experiencing a new level of grit, depth, and angst as our characters love, fall out, and grow with one another.
Originally played by Nia Long, Jones takes on the role of Lisa, Will’s (Jabari Banks) first love interest at Bel-Air Academy as well as the former fling of Carlton Banks (Olly Sholotan). Rather than just being introduced as a beautiful lover, Bel-Air gives Lisa more screen time as we get to know her as a Gen-Z’er balancing athletics, academia as a scholarship student, young love, and family drama. This is a new side of Lisa that viewers are more than excited to get to know in this reimagination of our favorite 90s sitcom.
“It's so important to tell stories like Bel-Air and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air because they're Black stories; they're our stories,” Jones told xoNecole about the cultural relevance and impact of the original show and its Peacock reboot. “They're not so polished, which I love about them. The relationships are really complicated and beautiful, and I think that mirrors real life. The best part about telling stories is telling them authentically and giving them some high stakes to really watch somebody go through it.”
Jones spoke with xoNecole contributing writer D’Shonda Brown about the second season of Bel-Air, how she uses her music as a form of self-care when she’s in her mode as S!MONE, and when she feels the most confident off-screen.
xoNecole: How does Simone Joy Jones the actress differ from S!MONE as the artist and the singer?
Simone Joy Jones: Simone Joy Jones is all of the things, and I think she is ethereal. I think she does what she wants. She's passionate about storytelling and people and how those connect. Because Simone plays so many different characters and embodies so many different things, I thought it was important to have another name to go by when I do my music so that you know it's Simone's exploration through music.
That's why I did that, just to give a little bit of separation because sometimes you feel a little bit tied to a persona, and I never wanted to be tied to a persona. I wanted to be free to explore and also have some separation between my acting career and my music career, or whatever S!MONE decides to do.
xoN: Why is it important for you to give Lisa more of a story arc in the 'Bel-Air' reboot than in the original series?
SJJ: It's extremely important, and it's fitting in the setting because everyone in the cast has a four-dimensional world. It's only right that Lisa gets one as well and gets to live as an authentic person - not just as someone who is loved, not just as someone who shows up in the world. It definitely works out because the Bel-Air world has space for all of that. The original was in the sitcom format, so you can only do so much when you have 30 minutes and you want to laugh and be in a world that goes wrong and has fun but always comes out on top.
"It's only right that Lisa gets one as well and gets to live as an authentic person - not just as someone who is loved, not just as someone who shows up in the world. It definitely works out because the Bel-Air world has space for all of that."
Here, we're talking about reality and when people don't always come out on top, and they have to really work through stuff. It's only right that we have Lisa work through some stuff and come out in a real way.
xoN: Because Lisa is an Olympic-trained athlete, did you feel like you had to challenge your physical fitness and wellness ahead of the show, or was it already up to par?
SJJ: Oh my gosh, listen, in the audition process, they were like, Can you swim?, and I was like, Yes, yes, I can swim. They're like, No, we're not joking with you. Can you swim? And I was like, Yes. Well, not only do I have to know how to swim, which I already did, I have to be a very strong swimmer so I went out and practiced. That's the reason I got a place that had access to somewhere I could swim, but I ended up not swimming as much as I thought I was going to swim.
Thank God I was prepared, and in the new season, we do swim a little bit. As an actor, I always want to be physically prepared for whatever I have to do to make sure the character is authentic.
xoN: If you could give Lisa a piece of love advice, what would you tell her?
SJJ: Oh my God, that's so funny. When y'all watch this season, you're all going to laugh. Lisa has this line where she was just like, "Ugh, I can't believe I'm that girl again; the girl who's just waiting for something to happen." It's something like that when she's talking to Will and she just feels really embarrassed, and I think we've all been there. I wouldn't even give her the advice to avoid it. I would give her the advice to feel the feelings, and then when it's time, you get back up on the horse and you love just as hard.
xoN: How has being a full-time actress and artist challenged you as an adult in the limelight and overall defining what adulting means to you?
SJJ: It's completely shaped how I'm an adult and living life because not only is acting and being a musician public, but it's also very vulnerable. Being a sensitive person and a sensitive being, I feel like sometimes I have no skin, and then to have no skin in front of a bunch of people all the time is a huge skill and learning. I've been learning how to protect myself. Also, having armor on without having a wall up is something that I've been working on.
Actually, the guy who plays my dad on the show, Joe Holt, he was like, "All the praise isn't real and all the hate isn't real," like don't take any of it. That really helps because at first, I was like, "Oh, look at what somebody said. That's so great." Then I was like, "Oh, look at what somebody said. What the hell?" It's like that's a lot to take in for anybody. Just learning to be a solid person as I go through adulthood because there's only a certain amount of people who have an experience like this. Hanging on and taking advice from people that I really trust who are going through the same thing, who really have a good head on their shoulders, has helped me a lot.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
xoN: How have your self-care routines changed for you since you became a full-time artist and actress for 'Bel-Air'?
SJJ: My self-care routine has changed completely. At first, when I started Bel-Air, I'd just moved to LA. I literally had an Airbnb out here, because I'd just graduated college. I was cast on a Friday and I started work on a Wednesday. I was in a new city, new era, I had an apartment with nothing in it. I was literally having the best time going to sleep on my couch, so my self-care routine was non-existent because I had so much to do and not a lot of foundation.
Now, my self-care routine fits me for who I am, and it continues to evolve with who I am. Last summer, I went to Greece, I actually studied yoga and that's been one of the things that has helped me in a journey physically, keeping my mind and body together, and also just finding some stillness. My self-care routine also includes making sure I get outside with my friends [and] I drink a lot of water because I have great skin already thanks to mom and dad. It's always changing, and it's making sure I have time to do the things that make me happy and the things that make me grow.
xoN: What's your morning routine when you wake up and start your day, and how does it differ from when you have a full day on set?
SJJ: On set day, I get up [and] I have a little gratitude dance. I'm usually dancing in the mornings. I'm a big morning person, so I make sure to look at myself in the mirror and be like, Okay, let's go. You got this. It's a good day. I walk to yoga because I have a yoga studio right by me. I'll come back and I'll make some avocado toast. That's been my thing. I'll usually have a thing for two weeks and then I'll be sick of it.
I shadow the director sometimes because I'm on my directing journey. That was a big part of last year too. I co-directed a short with my two songs, Angel Ether. I wrote those two songs because I had a visual vision for them and I wanted to try that out. That's what my days have been full of - making sure I grow in some sort of way. When I'm on set and when I have an early call time, I listen to Erykah Badu's But You Can’t Use My Phone mixtape when I'm on the way there because I'll travel.
Then the day is pretty much always Bel-Air and usually, it’s the whole day. I’m usually having a great time on set and it’s a great environment. How I take care of myself is sometimes I'm like a super social person, but I recharge by myself, so I'll make sure I have the time. I'll say hello, I'll touch base. I'll make sure everyone's good and I'm good. I make sure I know my lines, and then if I'm feeling a little bit like, Oh, my extrovert self is dying a little bit, I'll go into my trailer and take a beat, and then I'll come out and do what I do.
xoN: When it comes to you and your music, aside from being part of 'Bel-Air' as Lisa, how do you mentally prepare for a music performance?
SJJ: I've been a performer all my life. I've come from stage and musical theater, and so I feel like I'm a veteran for taking care of my voice and preparing my body because that's literally the tool that you use. Preparing for the stage, it's [about] staying hydrated. It's making sure I'm in a great mindset to connect with people when I'm on stage.
I learned my lesson one time when I just spent the whole day doing my hair and makeup and not really worrying about my body and how I interacted. I just sat on stage and it was a little bit stiff, and I was like, Learned my lesson. You thought you could get away with not warming up and taking care of yourself. I make sure that my whole body is warmed up, so a lot of times I'll run, work out, do yoga, or make sure I sweat and then make sure I'm really open and in touch with my body and my breath.
xoN: How would you say that music helps with your mental health, and how is this an escape for you?
SJJ: They're literally directly related because when I feel in a great mind space, then I feel very open. Sometimes it's free-flowing out of my body, like if I'm writing for another artist, if I'm writing for myself, if I'm just in the studio trying to catch a vibe. I'm working on playing instruments, too. If I'm not in a great head space, I go to music to massage some creativity out, or I go to music to soothe.
xoN: When do you feel the most confident?
SJJ: I feel the most confident when I'm prepared, so it could literally be any situation. We have this scene where I'm swimming, talking, and falling in love and also falling apart but when I get up there and I'm absolutely sure that I know my lines and I know everything, it's a great day. I have no anxiety, I have no nervousness at all. I'm very happy because my work ethic in preparation definitely came from Carnegie Mellon and playing sports as a kid.
I noticed if I'm without that, I'm nervous, I'm scared because I don't know what I'm doing. If I know what I'm doing and I'm prepared, I'm usually great to go because I'm a strong believer in you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to your level of training.
For more of Simone, follow her on Instagram @simonejoyjones. Bel-Air is now streaming on Peacock.
Featured image design by Qori B.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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It was early spring 2023 when Joey Bada$$ pulled up for a chat with us on love and relationships courtesy of our Dana Blair-hosted "xoMan Live." There, he clarified that though we felt the sizzling chemistry between him and singer/actress Serayah radiating off our screens in the music video for his single, "Show Me" and rumors were swirling of a possible romance, that they were just friends.
"We got a pretty cool friendship, and I think she’s gorgeous. I think she’s talented," Joey shared with xoNecole at the time. He would later dead the rumors even further by announcing his relationship status, "I'm single." But he'd leave the door open for the possibility of a thing, adding, "Things could happen."
Joey Badass Clarifies His Relationship With SerayahYouTube
Since then, things have indeed been happening between Joey and Serayah, who was previously romantically linked to Jacob Latimore, as their "just friends" status has seemingly blossomed into something more. The love they imitated in the name of art proves to be much more beautiful in real life. "I’m staying ready, so I don’t gotta get ready if that makes sense, you know what I mean," he shared in our interview about feeling "ready" for a relationship. "I don’t want to say that it’s anything I’m looking for, like I understand the way the law of attraction works."
These days, the look of love is undeniable and we are here for this couple showcasing their deep affinity for one another out loud whenever possible. Keep reading for a brief timeline of the love between Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$.
June 2023: Joey Bada$$ Flies Serayah Out for an Epic Birthday Trip
In what is regarded as their first hard launch as a couple, Joey took to Instagram to share a compilation of short videos they took while boo'd up on a birthday trip for Serayah's 28th in a tropical paradise. After previous denials of a romance, the Raising Kanan actor confirmed their relationship by captioning the post, "happy birthday my love."
A little over a week later, Serayah dropped her own version of a hard launch in a series of photos on IG showcasing some BTS moments of her and Joey.
August 2023: Joey Bada$$ Shouts Out Serayah For National GF Day
We stan! Joey took National Girlfriend Day as an opportunity to show love for Serayah, sharing on Instagram Story a series of never-before-seen photos and videos of some of the couple doing and enjoying life together.
January 2024: Serayah and Joey Celebrate His Birthday In St. Lucia
Birthday trips seem to be a welcomed tradition for this couple as they spent Joey's 29th birthday in paradise where they effectively brought the sand to the beach. "Celebrating you is something I'll always love to do," Serayah captioned her Instagram post to Joey and their tropical escape. Joey left in a comment of appreciation, "Aquemini," it read in a nod to the Outkast album, as well as the couple's sun signs.
September 2023: Joey and Serayah Pop Out at New York Fashion Week
Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
From New York Fashion Week to international trips to Tokyo for Joey's shows, September 2023 proved to be a booked and busy month for the Flutter vocalist and the "Passports & Suitcases" artist. Joey shared a carousel of highlights of street-style moments in their matching outfits for the fashion event with the caption, "NYFW FESTIVITIES."
Serayah posted some Tokyo memories to her IG that didn't skimp on the Black love, writing, "tokyo was a dream."
February 2024: Serayah and Joey Take Fashion Week
This year, Serayah gave a BTS look at her time during February's New York Fashion Week, and of course, boyfriend Joey Bada$$ was there to show love and support.
February 2024: Serayah Teases The Arrival of New Heat with Throwbacks Of Her and Joey
What better way to announce the debut of your latest EP of R&B-meets-rap influences than to drop archives of your own relationship mirroring those same influences? ARCHIVES is out now.
March 2024: Serayah McNeill and Joey Bada$$ Attend ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood
Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Serayah was a vision in gold as she graced the red carpet of the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards Ceremony arm in arm with rapper beau Joey Bada$$. In February, Joey professed his forever love for Black women in "A Love Letter To Black Women," in partnership with Bumble. The "Fallin'" rapper began in the video, "I don’t think I tell you this enough, but you are so sacred to me."
"Just know you got my heart. The only one I’m coming home to. See, I been in my heart and mind, trying to find the right woman and they say that love is blind, but you looking right to me," later adding, "Please never forget how truly blessed you are. I’ll cater to your visions and be there while I’m growing your purpose. Real love is our language. And a Black woman is a blessing in my life."
March 2024: Joey Bada$$ Responds to Viral Video of Him and Serayah Arguing
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In March, a viral video of the couple arguing and Serayah crying made rounds all over the internet and sparked speculation that Joey and Serayah had broken up. To squash the rumors, Joey assured inquiring minds that everything is good over here by posting a series of photos of the two of them loved up and enjoying a night out on the town, captioning it, "People all in our business they don’t even know the facts, they don’t see the shit we witness only what the cameras catch."
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Featured image by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE