You’ll want to jot down the name Olly Sholotan, he’s a Nigerian-American actor, singer, and music producer honing his craft daily and currently taking the Hollywood scene by storm. Sholotan stars as the iconic character Carlton Banks, in Peacock’s hit series Bel-Air. The first three episodes of season 3 will premiere on August 15 and fans can expect this reimagining of the 90s classic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to be a bit more dramatic than its predecessor. In the best way imaginable!
Much like the OG series, Bel-Air follows Will’s (Jabari Banks) journey, a quick-witted teenager whose life is uprooted when he has to move from the competitive streets of West Philadelphia to live with his rich Aunt, Uncle and Cousins in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Fandomize chatted with the Bel-Air star about stepping into this popular role and making Carlton his own, the shift from the OG series to this new reimagining, and his new single “Bodye,” which will be followed by a super dope music video in September!
Check it out…
MCKENZIE MORRELL: Hey Olly, thank you for answering questions for fandomize.com! We’re happy to have you.
OLLY SHOLOTAN: Happy to be here! 🙂
MM: First off, you play Carlton Banks on Peacock’s hit series Bel-Air. For viewers who haven’t seen the reimagined show yet, how would you describe it to entice them to give it a shot?
OS: You kind of hit the nail on the head; we always say it’s not a reboot, it’s reimagining. Bel-Air was basically born from this idea of what would happen if you took the story of the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air and set it in a dramatic hour long format. And let me tell you, it works! It still has the same fun and charisma of the original show but we really get to peel the layers back and dive deeper into all of these characters and the issues they deal with. With having a whole hour of television too the show is shot in such a beautiful and larger than life way.
MM: Was there any pressure to live up to this role, seeing as OG Carlton was so iconic and distinct?
OS: Oh of course! Alphonso Ribeiro is one of the greatest comedic actors ever and he absolutely murdered it in the original, so with that definitely comes the pressure of living up to everyone’s expectations. But at some point as the performer I really had to let that all go and just do what I do best. Alphonso was incredible with his version, and now I get the chance to breathe a different life into my version; that feeling of freedom has been liberating.
MM: What’s one thing you would say you incorporated into the character that deviated from the original to make it your own? Whether mannerisms or acting choices?
OS: I’d always known from Season one that viewers would eventually fall in love with Carlton, but the writers and I very early on had decided we wanted to make Carlton earn that approval because that just ends up being a lot more rewarding. The most obvious difference is obviously how much cocaine my version of Carlton does… the old Carlton didn’t touch that stuff… as far as we know at least.
MM: If you could spend a day in another character’s shoes, who would you choose and why? Season 3 is almost here with the first 3 episodes dropping August 15. What can you tease about what’s to come this season? Can we expect more Will/Carlton shenanigans?
OS: I wish I could spend the day as Jazz! He’s such a fun and funny character, honestly I feel like in real life I’m a lot more like Jazz. But the thing I think is the coolest about this season is how much more different characters interact; fans will get to watch scenes with characters they never thought they would see interact and that’s very cool.
Also yeah Will and Carlton get to have a lot more high jinks in ways that feels a bit more like the original series. They even go street racing this season like that is a wild scene let me tell you.
MM: Bel-Air delves into Carlton’s anxieties. I admire the way they leaned into that as it’s super relatable to the viewers. Was it difficult to connect with that or have you faced similar anxieties in your life/career?
OS: Ultimately the beautiful thing about these stories and why they resonate with so many people is that they’re so universal. Carlton’s story is one of a kid trying to find his place in the world and grow up to be the best version of himself that he can be; and yo that journey is filled with STRESS. So yeah, I really was a pretty anxious kid. Kind of like Carlton I knew how to talk the talk and make people like me and all that, but there’s always that voice in the back of your head asking you if you’re good enough. Obviously with Carlton I push it further than I probably ever experienced but that’s what makes the character so engaging.
MM: What are some best practices you do to keep your mental health in check since you have to lean into these more heavy/difficult scenes?
OS: Music is a very big part of my personal and professional life. For every season I have a specific Carlton playlist and one part of the playlist helps me ramp up into the character and another part of it helps me ramp back down into Olly. So as I’m leaving set I’m putting on the ramp down part of things and it really helps me separate myself from Carlton’s experiences and feelings, because wow some of those feelings are dark. Also the gym! Working out has been such a cheat code in getting the emotional baggage of Carlton out of my body.
MM: Tatyana Ali guest starred on the show last season. Which must have been a great experience. Who else from the original Fresh Prince of Bel Air would you love to see in this new world you and the rest of the cast have cultivated?
OS: It was incredible to get to meet and work with Tatyana Ali! She’s incredible and just so kind and wise. If I’m being honest I’d love the entire OG cast to make an appearance in our world at some point; it’s just one of the ways we honor their legacy you know?
MM: I like to add my signature question to all of my interviews. If you were to construct a donut based on Carlton’s personality, what kind of donut would it be and what toppings would be on it?
OS: Crazy question but I love it haha. I think its base would be just around regular glazed donut but add chocolate fudge for personality and powdered sugar because um… you know… powder.
MM: Your single BODYE was recently released in July and the music video is on the way in September. Is your love of music and creating an experience around that on the same level as acting or do you feel a kindred spirit to music more?
OS: Acting and music really do just engage different parts of my artistry. With acting I get to work through other people’s thoughts and words but in music I get to work through my own thoughts and feelings. I do think I’m in more of the pilot seat when I’m working on music and I really like that. Like the music video for BODYE is done in one take which is a really hard concept to realize, and it was my crazy idea that my team worked with me to make happen and make happen really really well.
MM: I have to say, I recently went to the Bahamas and your single BODYE is the perfect vacation/summer song! Such a vibe. What are some songs you find yourself playing/jamming out to during the summer months?
OS: I’m saying! I really want to bring back music that just feels good and makes people want to dance together you know? I just love when music makes you feel good in your bones. Afrobeats usually feels like perfect summer music; so Rema’s most recent album is fantastic during the summer. Also obviously Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar is the GOAT.
MM: What’s one question you never get asked in interviews that you’d love for someone to ask you… and then can you answer that question for us?
OS: No one ever asks how high I can jump and let me tell you, I can jump like *really* high. I don’t remember what my vertical is off the top of my head but I can jump alarmingly high.
MM: What’s next for you? Any last-minute messages to the fans who have been following you closely?
OS: I wanna do movies next; before Bel-Air I did a few smaller movies but I feel like the next step for me is a major release theatrical movie; I love the idea of uniting the world in this singular creative journey that everyone can go out to the theatre and experience.
MM: Anything else you’d like to add? Thank you for taking the time to chat with fandomize.com, we can’t wait to see what’s next for you!
OS: This was a dope interview! Talk soon! Stream BODYE!
Bel-Air Available Now on Peacock
Season 3 Premieres Aug 15
