Education and Upbringing

During her childhood, Jasmine's family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. She attended the Northside Performing Arts High School, which is now known as North Atlanta High School. Her mother taught at the school, while her father served as a pastor at Friendship Baptist Church and as a college instructor specializing in philosophy and religion.

Transition to Performing Arts

Despite coming from a family that valued education and history, Jasmine was drawn to the arts, particularly dance. At the age of 17, she moved to New York City to attend the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, a prestigious institution known for cultivating talented dancers.

Breakthrough on Television: "A Different World"

Jasmine made her television debut in 1982 as a dancer in the series Fame. She went on to appear in an episode of The Equalizer in 1986 and in the 1987 television film At Mother's Request. Her breakout role came shortly thereafter when she was cast as Whitley Gilbert-Wayne on the NBC sitcom A Different World. Her portrayal of Whitley earned her six NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, making her a household name.

Film and Music Career

Concurrent with her television success, Guy began appearing in films such as Spike Lee's School Daze (1988), Runaway (1989), and Harlem Nights (1989). In 1990, she released her self-titled debut album Jasmine Guy, which peaked at number 143 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured several commercially released singles, including “Try Me,” “Another Like My Lover,” and “Just Want to Hold You.”