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Tatyana Ali

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Not to be confused with Tabyana Ali.

Tatyana Ali
Ali in 2012
Born
Tatyana Marisol Ali

(1979-01-24) January 24, 1979 (age 45)
North Bellmore, New York, U.S.
Alma materHarvard University (BA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1987–present
Spouse
Vaughn Rasberry
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Musical career
GenresR&B
Labels

Tatyana Marisol Ali (born January 24, 1979) is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. She starred as Tyana Jones on the TV One original series Love That Girl!, and played a recurring role as Roxanne on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless from 2007 to 2013. In 2023, she starred in Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story on Lifetime.

Early life

[edit]

Tatyana Ali was born on January 24, 1979,[1] in North Bellmore, New York.[2] She is of mixed African and South Asian ancestry or Dougla, born to an Indo-Trinidadian father and an Afro-Panamanian mother.[3]

Career

[edit]

In 1985, six-year-old Ali began her acting career as a regular performer on the PBS children's educational program Sesame Street. Her tenure included an appearance with jazz great Herbie Hancock, who demonstrated his Fairlight CMI synthesizer using a sample of Ali's voice. She also appeared in two episodes of Star Search, one of which featured her performance of a cover of Marvin Gaye's and Tammi Terrell's hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

She made her breakthrough in 1990 when she was cast as Ashley Banks on the NBC television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a role she played throughout the series' entire run, from 1990 to 1996.

Ali's vocal talent was featured on several episodes of Fresh Prince in later seasons, prompting the show's star Will Smith to ask her if she would seriously consider pursuing a musical career. She ultimately decided, for the time being, to continue to concentrate on her acting career. In the series' final season, however, Ali performed several songs, and she began to be cleaned for her musical debut, the culmination of which was her debut album Kiss the Sky in 1998. It was certified gold in early 1999, only months after its release, and spawned the Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins-produced hit single "Daydreamin'", released July 21, 1998, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also appeared on the UK Singles Chart. The album spawned two further UK hits, "Boy You Knock Me Out" featuring Will Smith — which peaked at No. 3 and is her biggest hit to date — and "Everytime", which was her third top-20 hit in the UK, peaking at No. 20. She made an appearance on Smith's album Willennium on the track "Who Am I" with MC Lyte. She performed the title song "Sunny Valentine" along with Terrence Quaites for the indie film Rockin' Meera in 2005. In early 2008, she performed on the song "Yes We Can", a will.i.am project supporting Barack Obama's presidential campaign. She also appeared in the subsequent music video, which garnered coverage on the "What the Buzz" segment of ABC's World News Now. In January 2014, Ali released an EP titled Hello, whose first single was "Wait For It", which she performed on The Arsenio Hall Show on February 4, 2014.

Apart from her musical career, Ali continued to land roles in films such as The Brothers, Glory Road, and Nora's Hair Salon (and its sequel), among others. From 2009 to 2010, she produced and starred in the BET web series Buppies. She was on recurring status on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Roxanne from 2007 to 2013. Ali starred in the TV One original series Love That Girl! as Tyana (whose name was derived from Ali's given name). In 2013, she co-starred as Maya in the BET comedy Second Generation Wayans, alongside Craig Wayans and Damien Dante Wayans.

In 2011, Ali received the Living Legacy Award from the Caribbean Heritage Organization in Los Angeles.[4][5]

In July 2016, Ali sued Warner Bros., claiming that the company stole her idea for the show The Real, after she pitched the concept in December 2012.[6] The case was dismissed in February 2017.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

She dated actor Jonathan Brandis from 1995 to 1998.[8]

Ali graduated from The Buckley School in 1997. Ali attended Harvard University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies and Government in 2002.[9] On a celebrity edition of the game show The Chase, which aired February 3, 2015, Ali stated that her major was political science.

She traveled the United States as a spokesperson for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, and headed voter registration drives at college campuses.[10][11]

In March 2016, Ali revealed that she was engaged to Vaughn Rasberry, now associate professor of English and associate vice provost of graduate education at Stanford University, whom she had met on eHarmony,[12] and they announced that they were expecting their first child.[13] She and Rasberry married on July 17, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.[14][15] The couple have two sons.[16][17]

Ali is an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; she was inducted on July 27, 2024 at the sorority's Boulé in Indianapolis, Indiana. [18]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Eddie Murphy Raw Eddie's Sister
1988 Crocodile Dundee II Park Girl
Wow, You're a Cartoonist! Child Cartoonist Video
1996 Kidz in the Wood Rita TV movie
Fall Into Darkness Sharon McKay TV movie
1997 Kiss the Girls Janell Cross
Fakin' da Funk Karyn
1998 The Clown at Midnight Monica
1999 Jawbreaker Brenda
2000 Brother Latifa
2001 The Brothers Cherie Smith
2003 National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze Claire
2004 Nora's Hair Salon Lilleana
2005 Domino One Laeticia Richards
Back in the Day Alicia Packer
2006 Glory Road Tina Malichi
A Warm Place Clair Andrews Short
2007 The List Cynthia
2008 Nora's Hair Salon 2: A Cut Above Lilleana
Hotel California Jessie
2009 Mother and Child Maria
2010 Pete Smalls Is Dead Cocktail Waitress
Privileged Talia Video
2011 Geo n Rat Det. Erica Anderson Short
23rd Psalm: Redemption Stacey Wayne
2012 Dysfunctional Friends Alex
Home Again Marva Johnson
2013 24 Hour Love Simply
The Last Letter Jillian
Dear Secret Santa Jennifer TV movie
A Very Larry Christmas Nicole
2014 The Divorce Victoria
The Black Bachelor Herself Short
Locker 13 Lucy
Comeback Dad Nima
2015 Save for Now Woman Short
November Rule Leah
Fatal Flip Roslyn TV movie
Supermodel Lauren
Teachers Ms. Faith Mayfield Short
2016 Second Sight Clara TV movie
Samaria Audrey Short
2017 Nanny's Nightmare Monica Thorne TV movie
Graham: A Dog's Story Stella Short
Wrapped Up in Christmas Heather Nash TV movie
2018 Doe Rachel
Christmas Everlasting Lucy TV movie
Jingle Belle Belle Williams TV movie
2019 College Dating App Professor Savoy TV movie
Christmas Hotel Erin TV movie
2020 The Reason Macey
2021 A Picture Perfect Holiday Gaby TV movie
2022 Vanished: Searching for My Sister Jada/Kayla TV movie
It Snows All the Time Technologist
2023 Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story Ni'cola Mitchell TV movie
The Holiday Proposal Plan Sonny Kravitz TV movie

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984–97 Sesame Street Tatyana Guest: Seasons 16 & 18–19 & 23 & 28, Recurring Cast: Season 17 & 21
1987 Star Search Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 5
1989 A Man Called Hawk Michelle Episode: "Life After Death"
The Cosby Show Girl Episode: "Shall We Dance?"
1990–96 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Ashley Banks Main Cast
1992 Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Herself Episode: "Episode #2.1" & "#2.45"
1993 Getting By Nicole Alexander/Vanessa Guest Cast: Seasons 1–2
1994 Are You Afraid of the Dark? Laura/Connie Episode: "The Tale of the Quicksilver"
1995 Soul Train Herself/Guest Host Episode: "KRS-One/Dehorah Cox/Shaggy"
In the House Ashley Banks Episode: "Dog Catchers"
1996 Living Single Stephanie James Episode: "Whatever Happened to Baby Sister?"
1997 413 Hope St. Kai Episode: "Heartbeat"
1998 All That Herself Episode: "Tatyana Ali"
1999 Live & Kicking Herself Episode: "Episode #6.17" & "#6.19"
The Pop Zone Herself Episode: "Episode #2.5"
2002 Fastlane Shelly Episode: "Girls Own Juice"
2003 Half & Half Olivia Episode: "The Big Condom-nation Episode"
2005 The Greatest Herself Episode: "100 Greatest Kid Stars"
2006 Child Star Confidential Herself Episode: "Primetime Princess"
2007 Boulevard of Broken Dreams Herself Episode: "Jonathan Brandis"
On the Lot Herself Episode: "First Sight"
E! True Hollywood Story Herself Episode: "Will Smith"
2007–13 The Young and the Restless Roxanne Regular Cast
2009 Catch 21 Herself/Contestant Episode: "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
2009–10 Buppies Quinci Main Cast
2010 Running Russell Simmons Herself Episode: "You Only Live Once"
2010–12 Love That Girl! Tyana Jones Main Cast: Seasons 1–3
2011 Unsung Herself Episode: "Deniece Williams"
Pastport Herself Episode: "Panama"
2013 Anderson Live Herself/Co-Host Episode: "Episode #2.82"
Second Generation Wayans Maya Main Cast
2014 The Daily Helpline Herself/Co-Host Episode: "Tatyana Ali"
2015 The Chase Herself/Contestant Episode: "Episode #5.2"
Key & Peele Heresa Episode: "Hollywood Sequel Doctor"
2016 Zoe Ever After Ashley King Recurring Cast
2017 90's House Herself Episode: "The One With the Big Finale"
American Koko N'Shay Episode: "The Stig"
2018 Hollywood Darlings Tatyana Episode: "Big White Lies"
The Bobby Brown Story Sarah Flint Episode: "Part One"
2018–22 Fancy Nancy Mrs. James (voice) Recurring Cast: Seasons 1–2, Guest: Season 3
2020 Entertainment Tonight Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #40.58"
2022 Wheel of Fortune Herself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "Curtis Stone, Haley Joel Osment and Tatyana Ali"
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Herself/Chakra 7 Contestant: Season 2
2023 See It Loud: The History of Black Television Herself Episode: "Keeping It Real"
Bel-Air Mrs. Hughes Recurring Cast: Season 2
2024 Perimeter Connie Dawn Main Cast
Abbott Elementary Krystal Episode: "Panel" & "Smith Playground"[19]
After Midnight Herself Guest Appearance, Episode: June 3, 2024

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[20] 		US
R&B
[21] 		UK
[22] 		UK
R&B
[23]
Kiss the Sky 106 47 41 6
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions
Title Album details
Hello[24]
All I Have[25]
  • Released: December 1, 2023
  • Formats: Streaming
  • Label: Self-released

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[26] 		US
R&B
[27] 		BEL
[28] 		FRA
[29] 		IRL
[30] 		NL
[31] 		NZ
[32] 		UK
[22] 		UK
R&B
[33]
"Daydreamin'" 1998 6 5 — — — — 3 6 3 Kiss the Sky
"Boy You Knock Me Out"
(featuring Will Smith) 		— 68 56 32 19 77 12 3 1
"Everytime" 1999 — 73 — — — — — 20 4
"Wait for It"[37] 2014 — — — — — — — — — Hello
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other appearances

[edit]
Title Year Other Artist(s) Album
"Love The Way You Love Me" 1999 — More!
"Precious Wings" The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland[38]
"Who Am I" Will Smith and MC Lyte Willennium
"Getting Closer" Kel Spencer Wild Wild West
"Candy Girl" 2007 Kanary Diamonds Puro Fuego[39]
"Wanna Groove" 2009 Inverse So Far[40]
"Move It, Shake It" Just Matter and Nieve Love N' Dancing[41]
"Bathtub Gin" The Cherokee Rhythm Section
"Joy to the World" 2013 — Dear Secret Santa[42]
"Kiss the Sky" 2015 The Legacy of R&B Slow Jamz
"He Loves Me" 2016 The Legacy of Nu Soul
"Ghost Town" 2017 Music to Inspire[43]
"U Can Call (Jossy Remix)" 2022 2pac Youtube Release[44]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Caribbean Heritage Organization
  • 2011: Recipient, Living Legacy Award[4][5]
NAACP Image Awards
  • 1996: Won, Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
  • 1997: Nominated, Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
  • 2010: Nominated, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama – The Young and the Restless
  • 2011: Nominated, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Love That Girl!
  • 2011: Won, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama – The Young and the Restless
  • 2012: Won, Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama – The Young and the Restless
  • 2012: Nominated, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Love That Girl!
  • 2013: Nominated, Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Love That Girl![45]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
Young Artist Awards

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rose, Mike (January 24, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 24, 2023 includes celebrities Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  2. ^ Vasquez, Whitney (May 22, 2019). "Will Smith's 'Aladdin' Premiere Transforms Hollywood Into One Big Arabian Night". Yahoo! Entertainment. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "Happy Birthday, Tatyana Ali". People Magazine. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Ofole-Prince, Samantha (August–September 2011). Wheaton, Robert (ed.). "The talented Ms. Ali:an interview with Tatyana". CaribPress Newsmagazine. Los Angeles: 5. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Wheaton, Robert (August–September 2011). Wheaton, Robert (ed.). "Caribbean Heritage Salute in Hollywood". CaribPress Newsmagazine. Los Angeles: 21. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  6. ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 16, 2016). "'Fresh Prince' Actress Sues Warner Bros Claiming It Used Her Idea For 'The Real'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Evans, Greg (February 24, 2017). "Court Tosses Tatyana Ali Lawsuit Claiming 'The Real' Was Her Idea". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017.
  8. ^ Jewel, Dan (July 8, 1996). "Young Love". People. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  9. ^ "Tatyana Ali Shares Her Black Experience at Harvard University". BET. December 12, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  10. ^ "Tatyana Ali wants young people to know their voice counts". 9news.com. August 8, 2008. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  11. ^ Baker, Mike (April 9, 2008). "NC Voter Registrations Surge". seattletimes.com. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  12. ^ Drysdale, Jennifer (April 13, 2019). "'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Star Tatyana Ali Pregnant With Baby No. 2". ETOnline. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  13. ^ Harrison, Lily (April 1, 2016). "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Tatyana Ali Reveals She's Engaged—and Pregnant". E! Entertainment Television.
  14. ^ Dugan, Christina (July 17, 2016). "Tatyana Ali Marries Dr. Vaughn Rasberry". People.com. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  15. ^ Hautman, Nicholas (July 17, 2016). "Tatyana Ali Marries Vaughn Rasberry". Us Magazine. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  16. ^ "Tatyana Ali Welcomes Son Edward". People.com. September 23, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  17. ^ Cronin, Colleen (October 2, 2019). "Tatyana Ali Welcomes Second Son Alejandro". People.com. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
  18. ^ Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Announces Newest Class of Honorary Members
  19. ^ Scanlon, Claire (March 20, 2024). "Panel". IMDb. Abbott Elementary. Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Billboard Chart History: Tatyana Ali". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  21. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Tatyana Ali". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  22. ^ a b "UK Charts – Tatyana Ali". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  23. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 14 February 1999 – 20 February 1999". Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 Archive. Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  24. ^ "Hello by Tatyana Ali". iTunes. January 21, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  25. ^ "All I Have by Tatyana Ali". Spotify. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  26. ^ "Tatyana Ali Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  27. ^ "Tatyana Ali Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "Belgium Charts – Tatyana Ali". Ultratop. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  29. ^ Steffen Hung (March 13, 1999). "Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "Search the Charts: Tatyana Ali". The Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  31. ^ Steffen Hung. "– Dutch charts portal". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  32. ^ Steffen Hung. "– New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  33. ^
  34. ^ "US certifications: Tatyana Ali". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  35. ^ a b Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Wellington: Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1877443-00-8.
  36. ^ "Search Results: Tatyana Ali". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  37. ^ "Wait for It by Tatyana Ali". iTunes. January 21, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  38. ^ "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland". iTunes. January 1999. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  39. ^ "Kanary Diamonds". iTunes. January 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  40. ^ "So Far – the Collection". iTunes. July 6, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  41. ^ "Love N' Dancing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. May 8, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  42. ^ "Dear Secret Santa Soundtrack". iTunes. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  43. ^ "Music to Inspire: Artists UNited Against Human Trafficking". iTunes. January 27, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  44. ^ "2pac ft. Tatyana Ali – U Can Call (Jossy OG Vibe Remix 2022)". YouTube. December 4, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  45. ^ "44th NAACP Image Awards Full List of Nominees" (PDF). NAACP. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
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