How Old Was Jada Pinkett Smith in A Different World?

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

Actress Jada Koren Pinkett Smith became famous starring as Lena James on A Different World, an American sitcom television series that aired for six seasons on NBC from September 24, 1987, to July 9, 1993.

A spin-off of The Cosby Show, the series featured centered on Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and the life of students at a fictional historically black college called Hillman College in Virginia.

Jada Koren Pinkett Smith starred in the television series A Different World (1991–1993)Jada Koren Pinkett Smith starred in the television series A Different World (1991–1993) (Credit: NBC)

Jada starred as college freshman Lena James in the last two seasons of the sitcom. The fifth season premiered on September 19, 1991, when she was 20-years-old.

Born in Baltimore as Jada Koren Pinkett on September 18, 1971, Jada turned 20 on September 18, 1991. She was 19 when filming the fifth season.

Jada Koren Pinkett Smith was 19 when she started portraying Lena James on A Different WorldJada Koren Pinkett Smith was 19 when she started portraying Lena James on A Different World (Credit: NBC)

A few years later, Jada met Will on the set of Smith’s television show, the NBC-TV sitcom series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Their first meeting took place in 1994 when she auditioned for the role of his character’s girlfriend, Lisa Wilkes.

“I would love to see something like A Different World back on television,” Pinkett Smith told theGrio’s Chris Witherspoon in April 2013.

“I would love to see kids of color back in school, and what college life is like, and the trials of going into the world with a college diploma, and what does that mean today versus what it meant during the era [in] which we were doing a different world. I would love to re-ignite that world again.”

Jada Pinkett Smith's breakthrough role was on The Cosby Show sitcom spinoff A Different World in 1991Jada Pinkett Smith’s breakthrough role was on The Cosby Show sitcom spinoff A Different World in 1991 (Credit: NBC)

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary on New Year’s Eve in 2015. They wed back in 1997.

A few days later, the power couple appeared to be as in love as ever as they arrived at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch Brunch held during the 27th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival at The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs.

Jada Pinkett Smith wears her hair down at Variety's Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch BrunchJada Pinkett Smith wears her hair down at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards and 10 Directors to Watch Brunch held January 3, 2016, during the 27th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

Will, who was honored with the Creative Impact in Acting Award for “Concussion,” was dashing in a gray Tom Ford suit with a plaid blue shirt underneath.

He was accompanied by his lovely wife, who was regal in a figure-hugging white Dior dress.

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith pose for photos together shortly after their wedding anniversaryJada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith pose for photos together shortly after their wedding anniversary (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

The then 44-year-old actress looked effortlessly elegant in the white frock, which was styled with a coat that was fastened at the throat with a crystal-embellished brooch.

Jada Pinkett Smith wears an all-white Dior lookJada Pinkett Smith wears an all-white Dior look (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

She added further sophistication to the look with a pair of teardrop earrings, bracelets, and a pair of white pumps.

Jada Pinkett Smith finishes her white Dior ensemble with a silver broochJada Pinkett Smith finishes her white Dior ensemble with a silver brooch (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

The “Magic Mike XXL” star rounded out her gorgeous look with smoky eyes, deep plum lips, and a tousled bob with a side part.

Jada Pinkett Smith wears a Dior dress with white pumpsJada Pinkett Smith wears a Dior dress with white pumps (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

Jada’s white pumps are made of soft leather and feature a half d’Orsay silhouette, pointed toes, and about 4-inch contrasting heels.

Jada Pinkett-Smith's feet in white half d'Orsay pumpsJada Pinkett-Smith’s feet in white half d’Orsay pumps (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)

We can’t find Jada’s heels, but a similar style by Christian Louboutin can be purchased at Nordstrom and Mytheresa for $675.

Christian Louboutin "Iriza" Half d'Orsay PumpsChristian Louboutin “Iriza” Half d’Orsay Pumps, $675