[post_page_title]Friends first[/post_page_title]
The two actors first crossed paths in 1994, when a 19-year-old Jada – who was known for her role on sitcom A Different World – auditioned for the part of Will’s love interest on his immensely popular breakthrough comedy series, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Unfortunately, she was never picked as the casting director thought Jada, at five feet tall, was too short for Will, who towers over her at six feet two inches.
Instead, the role of Will’s on-screen flame went to the up-and-coming actress, Nia Long. Although the pair didn’t get to play lovers on TV, they did end up taking their relationship away from the cameras, and quickly became close friends. However, Will was still in the middle of a marriage with actress Sheree Fletcher at the time, who he wed two years prior in 1992 and had a son with, Trey – who is now 26.
