Tatyana Ali’s 35 years of praise for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Can a former child star and now-married television actress still turn heads today? Tatyana Ali can, as she lives up to her name and heats up Instagram’s feeds with her sophisticated style and good vibes. From the Sesame Street to Harvard, Ashley Banks to a viral reunion dance.
Sesame street beginnings
Ali was a longtime fixture on our television screens. She first appeared on Sesame Street as a toddler – well before the role that made her a household name.
Moving to Los Angeles & Ashley Banks
At 11, she relocated from New York to Los Angeles to pursue her passion, quickly scoring the defining role of Ashley Banks, Will Smith’s television cousin. Using her wit and fiery spirit, she brought the character to life and won fans over.
Six seasons, 147 episodes
The series lasted until 1996, comprising six seasons. Ali played Ashley in 147 episodes. Those who were children during the show’s run watched Ali grow up along with her on-screen counterpart.
A singing career takes shape
Her singing talent was present in a number of other episodes to come, which is why it caught the attention of Will Smith who asked if she would pursue a career in music. Her debut album Kiss the Sky came out in 1998. Her biggest hit is “Daydreamin'”.
Harvard and a life outside the sitcom
Ali went on to complete high school, get a Harvard degree and go from there, successfully pursuing a career as well. Her career path proved that being a child star doesn’t mean you have to put education aside.
The 2020 reunion special
Ali reunited with co-star Smith and other sitcom alumni Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid and Alfonso Ribeiro for a reunion special to be filmed in September 2020 and broadcast around Thanksgiving. When the show’s 1996 finale aired, Smith told his castmate “like a little sister”.
Back at Bel-Air Academy
Ali also appeared in a number of episodes of Bel-Air, Peacock’s dramatic reboot of the sitcom. “Walkin on the set of Bel-Air Academy, with the kids passing us in uniform, was really wild,” she wrote.
The 35th anniversary dance
On March 14, Smith shared a Tik Tok of himself and Ali doing the dance trend to “Anxiety.” The Tik Tok remade a scene from the pilot in which Ali does a dance with headphones in, while Smith sings along from behind, and Doechii was added into the remix. “Finally waited 35 years for this dance to trend,” Smith wrote.
The lavender suit moment
Ali celebrated Spirit Day with GLAAD on Instagram by sharing a selfie in a lavender suit and her hair up. On Twitter, a fan told her she looked like she belonged in the White House, to which Ali responded, “Obviously I’m running for office. You catch on quick!”
Style, poise and staying power
Ali is still as fashionable and poised as ever, and her choice of parenthood has been significant in her life. So many years after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, she has maintained a relationship with the viewers that made her a star.
