Taral Hicks spent decades as one of the standout beauties of 1990s Black Hollywood.
The actress became unforgettable to movie lovers in “A Bronx Tale” and to hip-hop movie fans as Keisha in Hype Williams’ 1998 cult classic “Belly.”
Now, Hicks has fans doing a double take at 52, with her latest look sparking plenty of chatter.
Hicks revealed her recent transformation after committing to a structured fitness and nutrition routine.
Instead of crediting a crash diet or quick fix, Hicks said she changed the way she approached her health.
After hard work at the gym and training with a trainer, she has dropped 35 pounds, going from 189 pounds to 154.
“I want to take the time out to say thank you all for the beautiful comments, likes, shares, recycles!!!! 52 feels like 32 again!!” Hicks wrote in her Instagram caption.
“How did I get here!! Prayer, nutrition, consistency, showing up for myself over and over again!!”
She continued, “Adapting to a new way to live life at this age and the absolute best fitness trainers, training ground, and motivating community I could have hoped for!!”
Hicks credited a team of fitness coaches, including BodyByShy, FitKing Plem, and LVL Up Fitness Studio, for helping her reach her goal.
Her coach, Shy Lovell, celebrated her client’s transformation in a Sept. 30 Facebook post.
“35 pounds down, and I’m so proud of her for prioritizing her health, putting in the work, and trusting me to guide her through this journey,” she wrote about Hicks.
The trainer also had some fun with Hicks’ most famous role.
“Moving forward, we’re calling her Keisha NO Belly!” she joked.
Hicks followed a three-day weekly workout schedule that focused heavily on progressive strength training. Her nutrition strategy emphasized portion control and proper fueling instead of extreme dieting. The actress also had to adjust her routine to changes that come with entering her 50s and navigating menopause.
Hollywood Unlocked soon amplified the transformation on Instagram. Fans flooded the comments with praise and disbelief.
“52 WHERE! My God she looked good either way,” one person wrote. Another said, “That bounce back is real. So many folks making excuses about age aches and pains. She killed it.”
“She look better than some of these 29-30 year olds my age,” a third person declared.
Another fan remembered Hicks as one of the brown-skinned women who represented a different standard of beauty in entertainment.
“THEEE Taral Hicks!! Her and Kenya Moore were my brown skinned beauty Barbie’s in entertainment,” the person wrote.
Of course, somebody had to bring Keisha into it. One fan joked, “Keisha no belly.”
Hicks made her big-screen debut in the 1993 Robert De Niro film “A Bronx Tale.” She later appeared in “Just Cause” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” But “Belly” helped cement her place in hip-hop film history. Hicks played Keisha, the girlfriend of DMX’s character Tommy “Buns” Bundy.
She also pursued music and released her Motown album “This Time” in 1997.
Hicks later appeared in “The Salon,” “Forbidden Fruits,” “King of Newark,” “Gaslight,” and “A Father’s Pride.” She also took her talents to the stage in Tyler Perry’s “Aunt Bam’s Place.”
Hicks’ beauty has even landed her in some uncomfortable pop-culture conversations.
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas sparked backlash in 2017 after commenting on a social media post celebrating dark-skinned Black women.
Arenas questioned how dark a woman could be while still being considered beautiful.
He named Hicks, Gabrielle Union, Keshia Knight Pulliam and Serena Williams among the darker-skinned women he considered attractive.
His comments drew widespread criticism as colorist.
The controversy also underscored something Hicks’ latest admirers clearly remember. She was among a generation of brown-skinned actresses who became beauty icons for Black girls who did not always see themselves represented that way on screen.
Another “chocolate cutie,” Naturi Naughton, recently sparked similar attention.
The “Power” actress set a goal to get back into shape after giving birth to her second child in May 2023.
Fans noticed her slimmer face, more prominent collarbone and flat stomach when she attended “The Morning Show” season 4 premiere in September.
Hicks, meanwhile, seems more interested in how she feels than in simply chasing a smaller number on the scale.
Judging by the comments, her fans are having trouble believing either number.
Hicks is also back working on the movie scene. Her upcoming projects include “Friends of Rome,” “A sista Holiday,” and “Someone Loves You,” according to her IMBD page.
Actress Taral Dawson, known for her role in “Belly,” shows off an amazing body transformation at 52. She went from 189 lbs to 154 lbs.😍🔥 https://t.co/tIHaWub3ts
— Raphousetv (RHTV) (@raphousetv2) October 3, 2026