21 Black Celebrities In The ’90s Vs. Now

Celebrities

By Sydney Barrett Last updated Jan 13, 2023

21 Black Celebrities In The '90s Vs. Now

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The ’90s blessed us with so many talented black icons, many of whom have become even bigger stars today. Her influence spread across films, television, music and fashion.

Here’s what the black icons of the ’21s of the ’90s are doing today:

1.

THEN: Nia Long’s breakout role was Brandi on Boyz n the Hood. She has also acted in films such as Soul Food and The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, she reprized her role in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. In 2023 she will star in two films – You People and Missing.

NOW: Chilli was pursuing a solo career alongside her releases with TLC. She has also starred in several reality shows, most recently on Girls Cruise in 2019. More recently, she made headlines by officially taking to Instagram with Matthew Lawrence.

3.

THEN: After finding fame as Ricky on Boyz n the Hood, Morris Chestnut went on to have notable roles in shows like C-16: FBI and movies like The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, he reprized the role of Lance Sullivan in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He also got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

4.

THEN: Naomi Campbell was one of only six models to earn the title of “supermodel.” However, she has been heralded as “the reigning megamodel of them all.”

NOW: In 2022, the University for the Creative Arts awarded her an honorary doctorate for her global influence on the fashion industry. Then she rang the bell in 2023 with her daughter, who was born in 2021.

5.

THEN: Will Smith began his acting career by starring in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and set a personal goal of becoming “the biggest movie star alive.” In addition to launching his solo music career, he has acted in films such as Independence Day and Men in Black.

NOW: In 2022, he won a string of best actor awards for King Richard, including an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. He also began executive producing the Fresh Prince reimagined drama Bel-Air. His film Emancipation premiered at the end of the year.

6.

THEN: Karyn Parsons played Hilary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

NOW: In 2005, she founded Sweet Blackberry, a content company that educates kids about the unsung heroes of black history. In 2019 she published her debut novel How High the Moon. She has also authored two picture books – Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight in 2020 and Saving the Day in 2021.

7.

THEN: Halfway through the first season of Family Matters, Jaleel White guest-starred as Steve Urkel. The character was so popular that it became a series regular.

NOW: In 2021, he launched a cannabis brand called ItsPurpl, which includes variants of the Purple Urkle strain. He also continued acting, appearing in films like Hustle (2022) and shows like Family Reunion (2021).

8th.

THEN: Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell. She also made guest appearances on Family Matters and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

NOW: She will reprise her role in Peacock’s “Saved by the Bell” revival in 2020-2021.

9.

THEN: In the ’90s, Brandy received eight Grammy nominations. In 1999 she won the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “The Boy Is Mine” with Monica. She also starred in the sitcom Moesha and the film Cinderella.

10

THEN: In the early ’90s, Queen Latifah received four Grammy nominations for Best Rap Solo Performance, and she eventually won in 1995. Meanwhile, she starred in the sitcom Living Single and then started her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show.

NOW: As of 2021, she is the lead actress and executive producer on the crime drama The Equalizer.

11.

THEN: After Mel B (real name Melanie Brown) responded to an audition call in a magazine ad, she joined the Spice Girls. Nicknamed Scary Spice, she was part of the best-selling girl group of all time.

NOW: In 2022 she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for the Service of Survivors of Domestic Violence. Later that year she became engaged to Rory McPhee.

12.

THEN: Tia Mowry had a starring role in Sister, Sister alongside her twin sister Tamera.

NOW: From 2019 to 2022, she starred in the Netflix sitcom Family Reunion. In 2021, she published her second cookbook, Quick Fix Kitchen, and released a homeware line with Gibson, Spice by Tia Mowry. In 2022, she announced her separation from her husband Cory Hardrict, but celebrated their marriage as a success.

13.

THEN: Alongside her twin sister Tia, Tamera Mowry starred in the sitcom Sister, Sister.

NOW: In 2020, Tamera Mowry-Housley signed an overall deal with Crown Media, the company that owns the Hallmark Channel. She has since appeared in Hallmark films and hosted the talk show Home & Family until its cancellation in 2021. Since 2021, she has also hosted the HGTV competition show Table Wars.

14

THEN: Already a hugely successful artist, Janet Jackson embarked on her Rhythm Nation World Tour in 1990. It became the most successful debut tour in history. She then signed a new record deal with Virgin Records, making her the highest-paid recording artist at the time. She continued to make history with several chart-topping albums and singles.

NOW: In early 2022, Janet released a two-part documentary in which she discussed the negative impact on her career of the wardrobe malfunction Justin Timberlake had on her career during her halftime performance at the 2004 Super Bowl. In 2023 she will embark on the Together Again Tour. She also promised that she will have new music.

fifteen.

THEN: Toni Braxton started her music career with her sisters as a member of The Braxtons, but she released her self-titled debut solo album in 1993. It went to #1 on the Billboard charts and won her three Grammys. Her second album, Secrets, won two more Grammys. She also made her Broadway debut as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

NOW: In 2020, Toni signed a new record deal with Island Records and released her 10th album, Spell My Name. In 2021 she took part in The Masked Singer and in 2022 she co-starred in the Lifetime film Fallen Angels Murder Club.

16

THEN: Haddaway’s debut single “What Is Love” reached #1 in 13 countries.

NOW: He released his latest single “And Now” in 2021.

17

THEN: Lauryn Hill rose to musical prominence with the Fugees, whose second album, The Score, topped the Billboard 200 and won two Grammys. After the band broke up, she released her legendary solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which won five Grammys. It’s still celebrated for bringing hip-hop into the mainstream and opening new doors for women in music.

NOW: Lauryn has notoriously never released another album, but she has released occasional singles over the years. She was most recently featured on Teyana Taylor’s 2020 track “We Got Love” and Nas’ 2021 single “Nobody.”

18

THEN: Missy Elliott began her music career as part of Sista, but released her acclaimed debut solo album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. She was also known for her frequent collaborations with Timbaland.

NOW: In 2021, she became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia renamed a portion of McLean Street Missy Elliott Boulevard in her honor.

19

THEN: Beyoncé rose to fame as a member of Destiny’s Child. The group found immense success towards the end of the decade with singles such as “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “No, No, No.”

NOW: As a solo artist, Beyoncé has become a cultural icon. Her most recent release was the highly anticipated 2022 album Renaissance. It was her seventh consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart.

20

THEN: Tyra Banks’ modeling career got off to a strong start when she booked 25 shows during her debut at Paris Fashion Week in 1991. She was the first black woman to make the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was also Black Victoria’s Secret’s first contract model and cover model.

NOW: Since 2020, Tyra has hosted Dancing with the Stars.

21

THEN: And finally, Samuel L. Jackson played mostly supporting roles until 1991’s Jungle Fever. He went on to play key roles in some of the decade’s most celebrated films, including Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction (which earned him an Oscar nomination) and Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

NOW: In 2022 he received an Honorary Academy Award, a lifetime achievement award presented by Denzel Washington. In 2023, he will reprise the role of Nick Fury in two Marvel productions – the Secret Invasion miniseries and The Marvels movie.

21 Black Celebrities In The ’90s Vs. Now

The ’90s blessed us with so many talented black icons, many of whom have become even bigger stars today. Her influence spread across films, television, music and fashion.

Here’s what the black icons of the ’21s of the ’90s are doing today:

1.

THEN: Nia Long’s breakout role was Brandi on Boyz n the Hood. She has also acted in films such as Soul Food and The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, she reprized her role in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. In 2023 she will star in two films – You People and Missing.

NOW: Chilli was pursuing a solo career alongside her releases with TLC. She has also starred in several reality shows, most recently on Girls Cruise in 2019. More recently, she made headlines by officially taking to Instagram with Matthew Lawrence.

3.

THEN: After finding fame as Ricky on Boyz n the Hood, Morris Chestnut went on to have notable roles in shows like C-16: FBI and movies like The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, he reprized the role of Lance Sullivan in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He also got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

4.

THEN: Naomi Campbell was one of only six models to earn the title of “supermodel.” However, she has been heralded as “the reigning megamodel of them all.”

NOW: In 2022, the University for the Creative Arts awarded her an honorary doctorate for her global influence on the fashion industry. Then she rang the bell in 2023 with her daughter, who was born in 2021.

5.

THEN: Will Smith began his acting career by starring in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and set a personal goal of becoming “the biggest movie star alive.” In addition to launching his solo music career, he has acted in films such as Independence Day and Men in Black.

NOW: In 2022, he won a string of best actor awards for King Richard, including an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. He also began executive producing the Fresh Prince reimagined drama Bel-Air. His film Emancipation premiered at the end of the year.

6.

THEN: Karyn Parsons played Hilary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

7.

THEN: Halfway through the first season of Family Matters, Jaleel White guest-starred as Steve Urkel. The character was so popular that it became a series regular.

NOW: In 2021, he launched a cannabis brand called ItsPurpl, which includes variants of the Purple Urkle strain. He also continued acting, appearing in films like Hustle (2022) and shows like Family Reunion (2021).

8th.

THEN: Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell. She also made guest appearances on Family Matters and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

NOW: She will reprise her role in Peacock’s “Saved by the Bell” revival in 2020-2021.

9.

THEN: In the ’90s, Brandy received eight Grammy nominations. In 1999 she won the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “The Boy Is Mine” with Monica. She also starred in the sitcom Moesha and the film Cinderella.

10

THEN: In the early ’90s, Queen Latifah received four Grammy nominations for Best Rap Solo Performance, and she eventually won in 1995. Meanwhile, she starred in the sitcom Living Single and then started her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show.

NOW: As of 2021, she is the lead actress and executive producer on the crime drama The Equalizer.

11.

THEN: After Mel B (real name Melanie Brown) responded to an audition call in a magazine ad, she joined the Spice Girls. Nicknamed Scary Spice, she was part of the best-selling girl group of all time.

NOW: In 2022 she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for the Service of Survivors of Domestic Violence. Later that year she became engaged to Rory McPhee.

12.

THEN: Tia Mowry had a starring role in Sister, Sister alongside her twin sister Tamera.

13.

THEN: Alongside her twin sister Tia, Tamera Mowry starred in the sitcom Sister, Sister.

NOW: In 2020, Toni signed a new record deal with Island Records and released her 10th album, Spell My Name. In 2021 she took part in The Masked Singer and in 2022 she co-starred in the Lifetime film Fallen Angels Murder Club.

16

THEN: Haddaway’s debut single “What Is Love” reached #1 in 13 countries.

NOW: He released his latest single “And Now” in 2021.

NOW: Lauryn has notoriously never released another album, but she has released occasional singles over the years. She was most recently featured on Teyana Taylor’s 2020 track “We Got Love” and Nas’ 2021 single “Nobody.”

18

THEN: Missy Elliott began her music career as part of Sista, but released her acclaimed debut solo album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. She was also known for her frequent collaborations with Timbaland.

NOW: In 2021, she became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia renamed a portion of McLean Street Missy Elliott Boulevard in her honor.

19

THEN: Beyoncé rose to fame as a member of Destiny’s Child. The group found immense success towards the end of the decade with singles such as “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “No, No, No.”

NOW: As a solo artist, Beyoncé has become a cultural icon. Her most recent release was the highly anticipated 2022 album Renaissance. It was her seventh consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart.

NOW: Since 2020, Tyra has hosted Dancing with the Stars.

NOW: In 2022 he received an Honorary Academy Award, a lifetime achievement award presented by Denzel Washington. In 2023, he will reprise the role of Nick Fury in two Marvel productions – the Secret Invasion miniseries and The Marvels movie.

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21 Black Celebrities In The ’90s Vs. Now

The ’90s blessed us with so many talented black icons, many of whom have become even bigger stars today. Her influence spread across films, television, music and fashion.

Here’s what the black icons of the ’21s of the ’90s are doing today:

1. THEN: Nia Long’s breakout role was Brandi on Boyz n the Hood. She has also acted in films such as Soul Food and The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, she reprized her role in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. In 2023 she will star in two films – You People and Missing.

NOW: Chilli was pursuing a solo career alongside her releases with TLC. She has also starred in several reality shows, most recently on Girls Cruise in 2019. More recently, she made headlines by officially taking to Instagram with Matthew Lawrence.

3. THEN: After finding fame as Ricky on Boyz n the Hood, Morris Chestnut went on to have notable roles in shows like C-16: FBI and movies like The Best Man.

NOW: In 2022, he reprized the role of Lance Sullivan in The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He also got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

4. THEN: Naomi Campbell was one of only six models to earn the title of “supermodel.” However, she has been heralded as “the reigning megamodel of them all.”

NOW: In 2022, the University for the Creative Arts awarded her an honorary doctorate for her global influence on the fashion industry. Then she rang the bell in 2023 with her daughter, who was born in 2021.

5. THEN: Will Smith began his acting career by starring in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and set a personal goal of becoming “the biggest movie star alive.” In addition to launching his solo music career, he has acted in films such as Independence Day and Men in Black.

NOW: In 2022, he won a string of best actor awards for King Richard, including an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. He also began executive producing the Fresh Prince reimagined drama Bel-Air. His film Emancipation premiered at the end of the year.

6. THEN: Karyn Parsons played Hilary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

7. THEN: Halfway through the first season of Family Matters, Jaleel White guest-starred as Steve Urkel. The character was so popular that it became a series regular.

NOW: In 2021, he launched a cannabis brand called ItsPurpl, which includes variants of the Purple Urkle strain. He also continued acting, appearing in films like Hustle (2022) and shows like Family Reunion (2021).

8th. THEN: Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell. She also made guest appearances on Family Matters and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

NOW: She will reprise her role in Peacock’s “Saved by the Bell” revival in 2020-2021.

9. THEN: In the ’90s, Brandy received eight Grammy nominations. In 1999 she won the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “The Boy Is Mine” with Monica. She also starred in the sitcom Moesha and the film Cinderella.

10 THEN: In the early ’90s, Queen Latifah received four Grammy nominations for Best Rap Solo Performance, and she eventually won in 1995. Meanwhile, she starred in the sitcom Living Single and then started her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show.

NOW: As of 2021, she is the lead actress and executive producer on the crime drama The Equalizer.

11. THEN: After Mel B (real name Melanie Brown) responded to an audition call in a magazine ad, she joined the Spice Girls. Nicknamed Scary Spice, she was part of the best-selling girl group of all time.

NOW: In 2022 she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for the Service of Survivors of Domestic Violence. Later that year she became engaged to Rory McPhee.

12. THEN: Tia Mowry had a starring role in Sister, Sister alongside her twin sister Tamera.

13. THEN: Alongside her twin sister Tia, Tamera Mowry starred in the sitcom Sister, Sister.

NOW: In 2020, Toni signed a new record deal with Island Records and released her 10th album, Spell My Name. In 2021 she took part in The Masked Singer and in 2022 she co-starred in the Lifetime film Fallen Angels Murder Club.

16 THEN: Haddaway’s debut single “What Is Love” reached #1 in 13 countries.

NOW: He released his latest single “And Now” in 2021.

NOW: Lauryn has notoriously never released another album, but she has released occasional singles over the years. She was most recently featured on Teyana Taylor’s 2020 track “We Got Love” and Nas’ 2021 single “Nobody.”

18 THEN: Missy Elliott began her music career as part of Sista, but released her acclaimed debut solo album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. She was also known for her frequent collaborations with Timbaland.

NOW: In 2021, she became the first female rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2022, her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia renamed a portion of McLean Street Missy Elliott Boulevard in her honor.

19 THEN: Beyoncé rose to fame as a member of Destiny’s Child. The group found immense success towards the end of the decade with singles such as “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “No, No, No.”

NOW: As a solo artist, Beyoncé has become a cultural icon. Her most recent release was the highly anticipated 2022 album Renaissance. It was her seventh consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart.

NOW: Since 2020, Tyra has hosted Dancing with the Stars.

NOW: In 2022 he received an Honorary Academy Award, a lifetime achievement award presented by Denzel Washington. In 2023, he will reprise the role of Nick Fury in two Marvel productions – the Secret Invasion miniseries and The Marvels movie.

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1.

THEN: Nia Long’s breakout role was Brandi on Boyz n the Hood. She has also acted in films such as Soul Food and The Best Man.

3.

THEN: After finding fame as Ricky on Boyz n the Hood, Morris Chestnut went on to have notable roles in shows like C-16: FBI and movies like The Best Man.

4.

THEN: Naomi Campbell was one of only six models to earn the title of “supermodel.” However, she has been heralded as “the reigning megamodel of them all.”

5.

THEN: Will Smith began his acting career by starring in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and set a personal goal of becoming “the biggest movie star alive.” In addition to launching his solo music career, he has acted in films such as Independence Day and Men in Black.

6.

THEN: Karyn Parsons played Hilary Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

7.

THEN: Halfway through the first season of Family Matters, Jaleel White guest-starred as Steve Urkel. The character was so popular that it became a series regular.

8th.

THEN: Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell. She also made guest appearances on Family Matters and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

9.

THEN: In the ’90s, Brandy received eight Grammy nominations. In 1999 she won the award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “The Boy Is Mine” with Monica. She also starred in the sitcom Moesha and the film Cinderella.

10

THEN: In the early ’90s, Queen Latifah received four Grammy nominations for Best Rap Solo Performance, and she eventually won in 1995. Meanwhile, she starred in the sitcom Living Single and then started her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show.

11.

THEN: After Mel B (real name Melanie Brown) responded to an audition call in a magazine ad, she joined the Spice Girls. Nicknamed Scary Spice, she was part of the best-selling girl group of all time.

12.

THEN: Tia Mowry had a starring role in Sister, Sister alongside her twin sister Tamera.

13.

THEN: Alongside her twin sister Tia, Tamera Mowry starred in the sitcom Sister, Sister.

16

THEN: Haddaway’s debut single “What Is Love” reached #1 in 13 countries.

18

THEN: Missy Elliott began her music career as part of Sista, but released her acclaimed debut solo album Supa Dupa Fly in 1997. She was also known for her frequent collaborations with Timbaland.

19

THEN: Beyoncé rose to fame as a member of Destiny’s Child. The group found immense success towards the end of the decade with singles such as “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “No, No, No.”