Hilary Banks the Princess of Bel-Air! Where is Karyn Parsons NOW?

Hilary Banks the Princess of Bel-Air! Where is Karyn Parsons NOW? How she shaped fashion in the 90s
Fresh Prince is beloved by Black millennials not only because of its influence on us but also what it did for the culture. We connected with the family for six seasons, whether by watching in real time or getting attached through reruns in later years. The fashion on the show played a big part in my personal love for it-particularly the perfected Bel-Air style of one Miss Hilary Banks. The epitome of the word bougie far before the word got gentrified. This video will direct her style as well as discover the actress behind the role, Karyn Parsons.
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[@KarineAlourde]

Watch my Vintage Black Hollywood starlets playlist if you liked this video kzbin.info/aero/PLjQibLG11RaGyAVqW

[@tammymarie5996]

@KarineAlourde I enjoyed this one especially because I loved watching Hilary Banks on TV too. However because she knew Holly Robinson -Pete from High School, can you do a video on her... please 🙏

[@velvetpanther7032]

Something about her reminds me of Meghan Markle.

[@EnlightenedFemme]

In my opinion, Hilary’s style is in the same lane with Whitley Gilbert and Fran Drescher. Absolutely Iconic.

[@KarineAlourde]

Exactly 😍😍

[@FoodAndBibleStories]

I was just coming to say this! Whitley's style was 😍

[@armenthamurphy4606]

I love the way Hilary Banks dresses especially those hats . I kind of wish that they had turned her characters style into a real fashion line

[@EnlightenedFemme]

@@armenthamurphy4606 right! I would definitely wear it today

[@latonyagarner6060]

Definitely Fran

[@LuxeBeauty_]

This woman WAS AN ICON. Pure Definition of bad and bougie!

[@zingara76]

I’m a Latina and in our country the show was very popular. She was totally so influential for us too! She’s a goddess

[@LovelyLadyLissett]

Yeah I grew up wanting to be her lol!

[@queen-estherobasi4086]

Despite her air-headedness, I always loved Hilary Banks and thought she was the epitome of beauty and style in Fresh Prince. Thanks for the video Karine!

[@inthemixwithleahbpodcast]

As a person born in 80’s and grew up 90’s this show was a CLASSIC!

[@holyexperience1976]

I'm fron the 70's myself, was 14 when this show came out!

[@anikadiamond007]

As a person born in the 70s, grew up in 80s and 90s, I feel like I grew up along with these characters. Will is the exact same age as me on the show.

[@armenthamurphy4606]

Her early family life seems to have grounded her, and made her a very humble woman even though she played a rich girl on tv you could see her true character and her humility and I think that is why so many young girls in the nineties loved her in the role of Hilary Banks.

[@KarineAlourde]

True. She is such a beautiful person inside and out in real life! I hope Karyn Parsons make a major comeback!

[@lessismore8533]

@@KarineAlourdetrue I want her to come back

[@AshleyKerr]

my whole life I’ve idolized Ashley Banks, but recently as I’m approaching my 30s I find myself gravitating more towards Hilary’s style. This video was right on time!❤️

[@labelmeposh]

The wardrobe stylist did that honey!

[@cindeed4422]

“Daddy, I need 300 dollars!” 😂. She changed and her character made a great transition from daddy’s little girl to a impactful young woman. I just loved her style. It was loud, brass, and unassuming just like her character. It suited her character well.

[@latonyagarner6060]

I have a connection with Denise from The Cosby Show. I'm lazy, intelligent, stylish, a college drop out, married someone from the navy without telling my parents, worked as an early childhood educator, and my middle name is Denise.

[@khadijaharris5830]

Lol

[@jcm9862]

I was OBSESSED with 80s/90s tv as a kid (I’m 19 now) and Hilary Banks and Whitley Gilbert were absolute icons to me. Their intelligence, grace, and compassion never failed to shine through their “shallow rich girl” persona. They were most definitely my role models growing up

[@Katrica670]

@JcM Hilary was intelligent? 👀🧐🤔 I don't remember Whitley's persona on the show she was in.

[@lessismore8533]

Good thing shows like Fresh Prince had re runs after 1996 because then so many young GenZers like yourself maybe would’ve never discovered it. It’s a 90s gem

[@XcuzeTheMessDeer]

Loved Hillary could not stand Whitley

[@angiepangie2795]

Similar to tia and Tamera it’s great to see representation of mixed women like me with black mothers, people always assume your mother is white and that you won’t have a connection with your race, my experience has been the opposite 💗

[@naimahfaatin]

Despite her aloof, privileged character flaws on the show, I always said Hilary was my favorite character next to Jeffrey, the butler! She was classy as hell and I admired her for her "get what I want" attitude through Hilary, the character. Thank you for filling us in on Karyn's actual background, your commentary is so carefully constructed! :)

[@lessismore8533]

Her character flaws her intentional duh lol that’s how they wrote her Love Hilary

[@ChassidyP]

I would love to see a break down of the character Whitley Gilbert-Wayne ( A Different World)

[@AngelaChase]

Was that Jasmine Guy’s character? I loved her! Her voice may not have become as iconic, but is certainly as memorable as Fran Drescher’s. I’ll always remember her purring, “Dwaaaaaaayne!”

[@ChassidyP]

@@AngelaChase Yes that's her character

[@AngelaChase]

@@ChassidyP Love her! I hope Karine does a video as well.

[@MulattoArchive]

She’s so beautiful 💖

[@marilynchurch5297]

She was awesome every girl wanted to look like her and her comic timing was impeccable!

[@IamSquirrel]

She was so funny in Fresh Prince. I looked forward to that show every week and her comedic genius was 1 reason for that.

[@emmaphilo4049]

I love Fresh Prince so much. As a mixed family in France (French Algerian), this show was very important to us because there wasn't many representation for a non white family on TV. My late dad used to identify to Uncle Phil so much🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the show brought positivity and good times for us.

[@sentarrasilva5995]

This hit home so hard. My mother is black but I look white with black features body cheekbones with all the Kardashians that pay for. Funny thing I was bullied and got into multiple fights for my body build hair type. It's a known family secret that back in the day it was a big deal if you could pass for white during dreamco laws and slavery I'm able to document to the 1500s on my black side and the 1400s on my white side it's just crazy and heartbreaking my kids are still dealing with it cuz they don't look through nationality.

[@ziolp]

Yep, being biracial comes with identity issues. Gl.

[@bowblues7146]

Such an icon!

[@reinaafricana6423]

I loved Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks. She’s such a kind and wonderful character. I was blessed to grow up watching all 6 seasons of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Her style and character was such an amazing experience to behold. She and Jasmine Guy (as Whitley Gilbert Wayne) did an awesome job with their characters❤🎉😊

[@zheahra]

Hillary blossomed into a level-headed, determined, and confident woman. I never saw her as aloof or unaware. I think that's how ppl saw her. She was about the life her parents afforded them. She and Carlton weren't for the struggle. They but matured over time. I wish the would've allowed her to marry Trevor. I thought it was terrible to have him die like that. I was happy she had found the love of her life.

[@courtneypalmer53]

Ohmygosh the way he died on the show. 🤭 I always remember that episode.

[@BrenJen86]

Great video! I always loved Hillary’s outfits. I was 22 when Fresh Prince debuted, so her style was right up my alley. I’d love to see a breakdown on Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert and Lisa Bonet as Denise Huxtable.

[@holyexperience1976]

Close to my bro's age. He was 23 and in service. Edit: Karyn was 24 when this came out! If my elder sis was not stillborn, she would have been 21 back then.

[@YasminE-dk6nf]

Yes that would be an awesome style breakdown! I would love to see those two ladies as well. I always loved the style of these three ladies!

[@lej7898]

Denise Huxtable was the original. Her style was original and eclectic. I absolutely loved her boldness and sass

[@princessmaina1383]

I love her style 😍😍😍

[@DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Aw I love this, thanks Karine. Hilary Banks absolutely was and is an icon and she tends to get overlooked for the tension between Will and the first actress who played Aunt Viv. She began as a sort of a 2D comedy device, but her arc broadened and blossomed with her personality and lifestyle. And that wardrobe! 😍

[@vikki8699]

I've been DYING for you to break down this feminine beauty! She really did grow in her character and show improvement. I hated that they killed off Trevor! I wanted to see them get married! ❤️ Thank you for breaking her down! When I was growing up I LOVED Will Smith and Carlton. I gravitated to Ashley when I was young, but as I got older, I soon gravitated to Hilary! I loved her feminine fashion knowledge and how she took care of herself. Plus, I love how she did not represeng the typical loud black woman. She was soft, kind, ditzy cute, feminine and stunning! She really came into her own :D I never knew Parson's background as she was so private. I love how she wanted emulate her mother's grace and elegence! Thank you for doing this breakdown.

[@neechietwentyone]

She was in class act. Love her in that movie too

[@maggief1851]

I loved her fashion,I might start dressing like her.

[@misserica5524]

Strange but, Hilary wasn't relatable to me until Trevor passes away. Went through a similar tragedy and even though Hilary was a fictious woman, I found her struggles dealing with Trevor's death helped me a little. Especially when she tries to enter the dating world afterward.💕

[@zheahra]

I'm glad you mentioned Trevor. I liked him. I was looking forward their wedding. I didn't like the way he died. I know things like this happen. But Hillary found someone who was compatible with her personality and lifestyle. I wanted her to be happy.

[@YoungSwaggness]

I never realized how Gorgeous Karyn Parsons was until now Mercy Me 🤩🤩🤩!! ❤️

[@deljean]

Aw you been sleeping

[@Katrica670]

I knew you were gonna do one on her, can you also please do one on Tatianna Ali she was a beauty too?!

[@enolamsamoht]

The Hillary Banks character paved the way for dion from Clueless and Rochelle from the Craft.

[@bd10232003]

I loved Hillary. The next one you should do is Jasmin Guy as Whitley Gilbert! Although I am not biracial like these ladies, they were classy and well dressed, and even though I’m grown, I still admire these characters!

[@tdsollog]

I’m from southern NJ and I loved “Fresh Prince” because it started off with a Philly kid being a “fish out of water”. It became so much more than that. It was sad to see the show end.

[@BrendaBaBoom]

She was adorable and some of what she wore can still be worn now.

[@beebeetee2926]

She was and is still beautiful.

[@avianalaureano8264]

I think her style was so awesome and her character’s personality was so funny the 90s fashion is just so great three fashion decades that I love is the 90s (cause I was born in 98) the 2000s since I was a kid during that time and the 2010 because those were my pre teen to teen years

[@martyemmons3100]

When Will Smith's "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is on TV, I'm not really that interested in Will Smith's character. What I still remember is 'The Carlton dance (It's Not Unusual)', and any time Hilary Banks was on. Which; unfortunately, was not long enough to keep me interested in watching the whole episode. Your video Karine, is appreciated so much. I wish Karyn Parsons had more opportunities for movie and TV roles. I mean, really. I remember having to choose from shows like: Roseanne Married... With Children Seinfeld The Nanny The King of Queens I could ad infinitum, but you get my meaning.

[@CJ-um1dp]

Love the evolution of Hilary’s style on Fresh Prince. Also, the beautiful and talented Phylicia Rashad will always be Clair Huxtable to me.

[@fo735]

Yeeessss! I loved Hilary! Her sense of style and princess aura is top tier!

[@kaya6478]

Yess! A video on Hilary Banks😍. I hope you'll do Whitly Gilbert from a Different World soon.

[@Katrica670]

@Kaya I believe she did.

[@michellebutts7859]

Hello Gorgeous Alourde 💜. I love Hillary Banks 💜. What an amazing feminity breakdown on her 💜. Holly Robinson Peete, is an amazing style icon with the show hanging with Mr Cooper. Also Vivica Fox character from out all night. I can't think of that show the starred, LL Cool j and Kim Wayans 🤔. Maia Campbell, whose life went into the wrong direction. She would be a great femininity style icon as well. There's also Katherine Helmond(Who's The Boss )✨

[@sunnni_]

Hilary always reminded me of my cousin on my dad’s side. Similar skin tone & features and bougie. Growing up I wanted to be like both of them and I still do. I love Hilary’s fashion. It would have been interesting to see her and Jasmine Guy on a show together back in the day.

[@maylismar3368]

YESSSSS!!! You did not disappoint!

[@shannon7779]

Every time I see Kim close I always think of Sinclair from living single. She owned that role, and she made it cool to be corky.

[@lovebug4263]

I looked up to her so much growing up! So happy to see this!

[@BarbieDawl.__]

She’s beautiful asf

[@biljam972]

When I watched the series I remember thinking how beautiful Hilary is, it's almost impossible how great and stylish she looks. I wanted to look like her.

[@doreendoreen9508]

I love her omg ❤️❤️ Thank you so much Karine 😘❤️

[@KarineAlourde]

My pleasure boo 😘♥️

[@jerilemons5281]

She Was Also In Major Payne

[@CallMeBossLady]

Great video Karine! Some of my favorite 90’s inspired tv characters that helped shaped me were Whitley Gilbert for her fashion style, Maxine Shaw(Living Single) for her wit and sarcastic clap backs and banter with Kyle, lol. Kadijah James(Living Single) for being a boss running her own magazine company. But most of all, the T-Boz inspired hair cut and color. I rocked the cut and color for years😂. I have a different version of the cut, but the color doesn’t jive with my gray hair the way I want it to. 😩🤣

[@TaylorJohnson1]

I was called Hilary Banks a couple months ago and I wore it as a badge of honor!

[@accidentsafe]

I love her self description. A beautiful woman wrapped in an even more beautiful woman’s body.

[@komalpreetbrar7740]

Can you please make a video on ShahRukh Khan (the most famous Bollywood actor)? He is just the most charming man I’ve ever seen. Literally no one in America compares to him. He’s like the Michael Jackson of Bollywood

[@tam9856]

Daddy… Cool it! Cool it! Cool it!

[@Ebizzill]

lmao!!! I know him as Raj. lol... I absolutely L O V E his movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with Kajol

[@emmaphilo4049]

He is huge! A bit like Elvis Presley

[@MissHoneyOnline]

I loved Hilary!

[@rochellenicole6658]

Love Hillary! Before her, it was Lisa Turtle 🥰😍

[@doandroidsdream1748]

She is one of the funniest characters ever.

[@ShebaTheMelaninatedQueen2663]

You should do Maxine from living single

[@AFocusedLiving]

Toni from girlfriends

[@lanacampbell-moore6686]

Thank you😊

[@tosomt5419]

this character had the best style...she is a 90's icon

[@kayshawnsimmons6822]

We love Hillary. And her role in the movie Major Payne🥰🥰

[@Marvelous_M]

One of my favs! ❤️❤️❤️ Hilary Banks Outfit style was my Eid inspo this year

[@jadajen4]

This. I changed my mind. This is my favorite video you've done. I think she'd be deeply touched if she saw this video

[@michellesims6953]

She was very underrated, in my opinion. She was graceful and drop dead gorgeous. Classy too.

[@ReeRee-Da-Lovely]

I wouldn't say that Karyn Parson shaped fashion. She mostly dressed on trend.

[@aitechnasus1041]

merry christmas to very beautiful Karyn Parsons.🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅

[@brittanyguyton3987]

I love the Fresh Prince Bel Air. This show ended a year before I was born, but this was one of my favorite late night shows to watch when I was a toddler with my auntie when they were playing the reruns. I always found Hilary to be hilarious and her fashion sense was always on point!

[@harriettstaton7527]

IM 83 YRS OLD BUT I WAS SURE,YOU YOU WAS THE GIRL ON THAT SHOW. YOU LOOK SOOOO MUCH ALIKE I HOPE OTHERS FEEL THE SAME YOU YOUNG LADIES NOW CAN MAKE UP TO LOOK 20AND B 40 OR B 40 TO LOOK 60 Y'ALL ARE ARTISTS WITH MAKEUP AND HAIR PROUD OF YOU GOODLUCK PEACE. B UNTO U AND YOURS

[@sophiasoto1405]

Thanks for doing this video. What a great actress. The early to mid nineties fashion was amazing. I grew up with this show and In Living Color.

[@ttouche6925]

Beautifully presented , cool ,calm ,collective thank you karine, xxs

[@whatsup9993]

I like to say my cousin favors her a little 🥰 me and my family would always watch the fresh prince… I mean they did introduce it to me 😭😭😭

[@mz.deniseytf8138]

Love the video

[@lessismore8533]

LOVE Hilary! And fresh price is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time

[@michaeld.williamsiii9026]

Karyn Parsons is so pretty.💛💛💛

[@fallon7616]

How did I miss this video 💕 Great video ❤️😘

[@t-babyyupressed2906]

I Was 21 And She Was Definitely A The Style Icon For Me

[@kaya6478]

Hilary Duff is always Lizzie McGuire for me😅

[@emiliosanchez8486]

Love your videos you can tell that you put ur heart n soul into your videos

[@toriamartan3295]

Wow thanks so much for the stylish end to this video, well done...

[@ChavisGreenard]

Great video, Ms. Karine!

[@ErickaMelani]

Whitley Gilbert, Sandra (sauuunndra) 227, Tia & Tamara, Fancy Jamie Foxx Show, & Vanessa on Hanging with Mr Cooper,

[@aarondigby5054]

You're talking about Holly Robinson-Peete: she was on 21 Jump Street playing an undercover cop. She is a black Valley Girl originally. She's also beautiful as a flower. Love me some Holly Robinson-Peete. She married successful former pro qb and Heisman candidate from USC Trojan Rodney Peete. She lives in an upscale suburb of Charlotte NC.

[@ashleybcookin]

You do such a great job in all of your vids! So tastefully done. 💜 Hilary, I mean Karyn 😄

[@MyCrownstar]

Excellent video. I can’t see Sarah Jessica Parker as anyone other than Carrie Bradshaw.

[@carltoniforbes6504]

Today is her birthday ❤💕You do a great job putting these together Keep up the great work💕 ❤

[@rainboots8069]

My family says my personality is like Hillary Banks & it’s so true 😌

[@catspaw3092]

Wow, I had no idea that she could speak a few languages she's truly a beautiful woman I loved Hilary's curly hair & I never considered her a mean girl just a bit of a spoiled brat, a bit snooty but in a good way. She did have a great sense of fashion plus she have the Whitney Houston aura about her in an episode she said to a real life famous actress who played herself on the show that people would mistake her for Whitney Houston. And there was another episode where she dressed Ashely in the same clothes she wore & Phil looked at his youngest daughter obviously not liking Ashely's new look & asked her "Ashely are you ok with this?" Ashely admitted she hated it because it looked like "Honey I just shrunk the Hilary" she said & she didn't want to hurt Hilary's feelings. I also liked the moment Hilary had with Jeffery when she considered quitting her catering job Jeffery knew her so well & asked her why she quit her different activities & she told him why. Jeffery told her he watched her grow up from a little girl into a beautiful & strong young woman & he was proud of her that gave Hilary the confidence she needed to do her job I really liked that episode. And Karine you should do Hilary's onscreen sister Ashely played but the beautiful & talented Tatiana Ali a fun & sad fact she use to date 90s heartthrob Johnathan Brandis who sadly killed himself.

[@robot12423]

Dang you'd think networking with Will Smith would get you so far. But I heard the Fresh Prince cast had some drama and Will called the shots🍵

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yes that's true

[@Kc-qe5dv]

Hmmm, it’s not Will’s job to further anyone’s career, when someone’s that successful, unfortunately everyone will try to use them.

[@yokotoatto4426]

She was drop dead gorgeous. Her, Phylicia Rashad and Lisa Raye are classic beauties

[@nichollabrathwaite-mundy5126]

Karyn Parsons is also of Trinidadian descent as well, as a matter of fact all three of the actors who played the Banks children are of Trindadian descent.

[@josenavas9968]

Yes Indeed. When I first tune in and saw Ms Banks. I was blown away, here a classic beauty. Stylist, well dress with make up, hair to match. She epitomize her neighborhood, wealth, influence, power and entitlement. Then she grew from that shallow, superficial young lady into quite amazing person..

[@yumeccasimms3952]

This is good to hear about her. When I was in high school, they used to call me her. And Lord for bid if I wore my hair in curls.

[@Jenni.P]

I love love love Hilary Banks

[@MARCIE12ification]

Thank you ☺️☺️☺️☺️

[@RoRo-ob4yy]

I just realized that Hilary Banks was the first gurl I saw on tv with brighter skin and still saw myself in her 💕😘 the heart don’t lie and it can’t hide … always been a gurls gurl

[@livelife5309]

Aww that was cool. I like Karen/Hilary too.

[@saintm70]

Nice video. I was wondering what her younger sister on the show was up to now and how she looks.

[@SABOREAME68]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great video as usual. One of several characters played on t.v. when it comes to females was Barbara Eden in "I dream of Jennie" followed by Diahnn Carroll " Nurse" Dorothy Dandridge, Diana Ross & the Supremes, these women were magnificent besides being beautiful.

[@sandirichard5461]

Hillary was everything! She was savage with her witty lines. Most importantly, her style was everything!

[@JPLEYONKO4]

Can you do one on Ashley banks as well?? I love her character.