Janet Hubert Admits She ‘Absolutely’ Contemplated Suicide Following ‘Fresh Prince’ Exit
In a new interview, Janet Hubert opens up about her audition process for ‘The Fresh Prince,’ and the changes the cult-classic show endured, including her exit — over which she “absolutely” contemplated suicide.
Speaking with PopViewers, a new Black-owned pop culture app, Hubert dishes on her legendary career, and recalls her experience on ‘Fresh Prince.’ During, Hubert admits it was bittersweet when she learned she landed the role of “Aunt Viv.” She says, “I didn’t want it! I didn’t want it because I knew I was not what they were looking for.” She continues to explain, “Sometimes when you think you know something…you don’t know sh*t!” She adds that when she flew out for the “test” run, she “didn’t even try.”
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Later, she recalls her experience leaving the show, explaining how hard things became for her. She says, “There were moments that I felt so broken, so low…I didn’t know what I could do. There were moments where I wanted to die.” As the interviewer confirms if she ever contemplated suicide, she responds, “Absolutely … because I figured…I had a life insurance policy that would take care of my son.”
Hubert goes on to explain how the situation with her leaving led to people saying hurtful and mean things to her. For example, one instance led to an altercation with a man, Hubert serving 400 hours of community service and Hubert at the brink of a nervous breakdown. She says, “That’s when I said, ‘I am going to have a nervous breakdown now.”
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