Lark Voorhies, known for her iconic role as Lisa Turtle on the classic sitcom Saved by the Bell, was once a household name. Her character captivated audiences in the '80s and '90s, becoming a fashion icon for a generation. However, in recent years, Lark has faced significant changes in her life and public perception, leaving fans and followers wondering how someone so beloved could become almost unrecognizable.
Despite her fame, Lark's journey took a tumultuous turn after her time on the show. She faded from the spotlight, only to resurface in 2012 with a notable interview on The Yo Show, where her appearance and demeanor raised eyebrows. What had happened to the vibrant teen everyone adored? This article explores Lark's life after Saved by the Bell, her struggles with mental health, and her attempts to reclaim her identity.
As we delve into Lark's story, we will uncover the factors that contributed to her drastic transformation. From her controversial interviews and personal struggles to her artistic endeavors and social media presence, Lark's experience serves as a poignant reflection on the pressures of fame and the quest for self-acceptance.
Table of Contents
- Biography
- About that 'Yo Show' Interview
- Her Mental Health Has Come Into Question
- Her Books Mirror Her Public Behavior
- She Skipped Jimmy Fallon's Saved by the Bell Reunion
- But She Constantly Talks About Saved by the Bell Reunions
- She Married a Man with Alleged Gang Ties
- It Didn't Last
- Social Media Has Been a Problem
- What's Up with Her Music Career?
- Is She Turning a Corner?
Biography
| Name | Lark Voorhies |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1974 |
| Occupation | Actress, Author |
| Known For | Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell |
| Years Active | 1988 – Present |
About that 'Yo Show' Interview
When Lark Voorhies returned to the national spotlight for a strange interview on The Yo Show, her skin and voice looked and sounded radically different from her days as Lisa Turtle on Saved by the Bell, and we’re not just talking about the normal changes a person goes through from their teenage years into adulthood.
Though the quality of the only remaining version of the video on the internet isn’t the greatest, it’s clear that at the very least, Voorhies had made some interesting changes to her makeup regimen. Fans also questioned whether she’d had work done, as her nose and eyes looked drastically different. Then there’s the issue of her speech and articulation, which in the most generous terms, could be described as eccentric.
Her Mental Health Has Come Into Question
After Lark Voorhies' Yo Show interview went viral, her mother, Tricia, told People that her daughter was suffering from bipolar disorder. “I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life,” said Tricia, who reportedly lives with her daughter. Tricia also hinted at further issues that Lark may have, saying, “There are things that have traumatized her,” although she declined to elaborate.
Lark adamantly denied her mother’s claims both to People and in a subsequent interview that was equal parts concerning and bizarre. “It is a small, uh, opinionata [sic] that is getting blown thoroughly out of proportion,” Lark told Entertainment Tonight (via Radar Online) in her odd parlance.
Her Books Mirror Her Public Behavior
With Lark Voorhies' unfortunate status as a tabloid fixture, outlets began digging into her life, looking for other signs of strange behavior. The now-defunct Gawker turned up a treasure trove of such evidence when it uncovered two books published by Voorhies, titled Reciprocity (2010) and True Light: A, superior, take, unto, the, premier, haloing, of, tenuation.
As the title of the latter book clearly suggests, the contents within contained pages upon pages of rambling, grammatically incorrect sentences that did not appear to be conceived by a cogent mind.
She Skipped Jimmy Fallon's Saved by the Bell Reunion
For years, Jimmy Fallon tried to reunite the cast of Saved by the Bell for a skit on The Tonight Show. That finally happened in February 2015, only it was missing two key ingredients: Lisa Turtle and Screech. Dustin Diamond, who played Screech, told Fox 2 Now that he wasn’t invited.
Speaking with E! News, a rep for Voorhies said, “Lark would have loved to be part of the Jimmy Fallon skit (as she is a big fan of the show), however due to an intense work schedule she was not available.”
But She Constantly Talks About Saved by the Bell Reunions
In virtually every interview with Lark Voorhies, the question of a Saved by the Bell reunion comes up. It’s not a surprise given the popularity and cult status of the show, but in light of the fact that Voorhies — for whatever reason — didn’t show up for Jimmy Fallon’s mini-reunion, it’s odd how enthusiastic she’s been about it over the years.
For example, in 2016, Voorhies talked to paparazzi about the Fallon reunion and the possibility of the cast reuniting again. “It could very possibly be,” she said.
She Married a Man with Alleged Gang Ties
In April 2015, Lark Voorhies married her third husband, music producer Jimmy Green. Drama unfolded shortly thereafter when Voorhies' mother filed a restraining order against Green because she was “constantly afraid that the Defendant [Green] will cause her physical harm and this has caused severe stress on her every day since April 2015.”
The documents also alleged that Green, who was living with Voorhies in her mother’s home, had gang affiliations and was taking advantage of her daughter.
It Didn't Last
Amid scandalous rumors by TMZ that Jimmy Green was trying to sell a lewd video of the couple to "the highest bidder," Lark Voorhies filed for divorce just six months after saying "I do." In a statement to People, she said, "There were irreconcilable differences that we could not overcome."
Voorhies' mother also spoke with the magazine, saying, "[Lark and Jimmy] can remain friends, but it's best they sever their marriage ties."
Social Media Has Been a Problem
In addition to the rant about her ex, Lark Voorhies has come under fire for several other scandalous Instagram posts, including one in which she claimed that she has lupus, and a series in which she attacked Bill Cosby and claimed that she is "not black."
After coming under scrutiny for the posts, Voorhies once again claimed that her Instagram account had been hacked.
What's Up with Her Music Career?
In an interview with MaximoTV, Voorhies once again offered up some claims that are hard to verify. In speaking about her musical ambitions, she said that she had already finished her first album, Jewel Box, and was working on a second, Eternity Coming.
While those albums — and opera — very well could be sitting in her home or at a recording studio somewhere, it appears the only music Voorhies ever released to the public were two singles, "Roll with Me" and "Saturday."
