[en] | Tatyana Ali

Not to be confused with Tabyana Ali.

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.

Tatyana Ali
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

Early life

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

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

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

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987Eddie Murphy RawEddie’s Sister
1988Crocodile Dundee IIPark Girl
Wow, You’re a Cartoonist!Child CartoonistVideo
1996Kidz in the WoodRitaTV movie
Fall Into DarknessSharon McKayTV movie
1997Kiss the GirlsJanell Cross
Fakin’ da FunkKaryn
1998The Clown at MidnightMonica
1999JawbreakerBrenda
2000BrotherLatifa
2001The BrothersCherie Smith
2003National Lampoon Presents Dorm DazeClaire
2004Nora’s Hair SalonLilleana
2005Domino OneLaeticia Richards
Back in the DayAlicia Packer
2006Glory RoadTina Malichi
A Warm PlaceClair AndrewsShort
2007The ListCynthia
2008Nora’s Hair Salon 2: A Cut AboveLilleana
Hotel CaliforniaJessie
2009Mother and ChildMaria
2010Pete Smalls Is DeadCocktail Waitress
PrivilegedTaliaVideo
2011Geo n RatDet. Erica AndersonShort
23rd Psalm: RedemptionStacey Wayne
2012Dysfunctional FriendsAlex
Home AgainMarva Johnson
201324 Hour LoveSimply
The Last LetterJillian
Dear Secret SantaJenniferTV movie
A Very Larry ChristmasNicole
2014The DivorceVictoria
The Black BachelorHerselfShort
Locker 13Lucy
Comeback DadNima
2015Save for NowWomanShort
November RuleLeah
Fatal FlipRoslynTV movie
SupermodelLauren
TeachersMs. Faith MayfieldShort
2016Second SightClaraTV movie
SamariaAudreyShort
2017Nanny’s NightmareMonica ThorneTV movie
Graham: A Dog’s StoryStellaShort
Wrapped Up in ChristmasHeather NashTV movie
2018DoeRachel
Christmas EverlastingLucyTV movie
Jingle BelleBelle WilliamsTV movie
2019College Dating AppProfessor SavoyTV movie
Christmas HotelErinTV movie
2020The ReasonMacey
2021A Picture Perfect HolidayGabyTV movie
2022Vanished: Searching for My SisterJada/KaylaTV movie
It Snows All the TimeTechnologist
2023Giving Hope: The Ni’Cola Mitchell StoryNi’cola MitchellTV movie
The Holiday Proposal PlanSonny KravitzTV movie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984–97Sesame StreetTatyanaGuest: Seasons 16 & 18–19 & 23 & 28, Recurring Cast: Season 17 & 21
1987Star SearchHerself/ContestantContestant: Season 5
1989A Man Called HawkMichelleEpisode: “Life After Death”
The Cosby ShowGirlEpisode: “Shall We Dance?”
1990–96The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirAshley BanksMain Cast
1992Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?HerselfEpisode: “Episode #2.1” & “#2.45”
1993Getting ByNicole Alexander/VanessaGuest Cast: Seasons 1–2
1994Are You Afraid of the Dark?Laura/ConnieEpisode: “The Tale of the Quicksilver”
1995Soul TrainHerself/Guest HostEpisode: “KRS-One/Dehorah Cox/Shaggy”
In the HouseAshley BanksEpisode: “Dog Catchers”
1996Living SingleStephanie JamesEpisode: “Whatever Happened to Baby Sister?”
1997413 Hope St.KaiEpisode: “Heartbeat”
1998All ThatHerselfEpisode: “Tatyana Ali”
1999Live & KickingHerselfEpisode: “Episode #6.17” & “#6.19”
The Pop ZoneHerselfEpisode: “Episode #2.5”
2002FastlaneShellyEpisode: “Girls Own Juice”
2003Half & HalfOliviaEpisode: “The Big Condom-nation Episode”
2005The GreatestHerselfEpisode: “100 Greatest Kid Stars”
2006Child Star ConfidentialHerselfEpisode: “Primetime Princess”
2007Boulevard of Broken DreamsHerselfEpisode: “Jonathan Brandis”
On the LotHerselfEpisode: “First Sight”
E! True Hollywood StoryHerselfEpisode: “Will Smith”
2007–13The Young and the RestlessRoxanneRegular Cast
2009Catch 21Herself/ContestantEpisode: “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
2009–10BuppiesQuinciMain Cast
2010Running Russell SimmonsHerselfEpisode: “You Only Live Once”
2010–12Love That Girl!Tyana JonesMain Cast: Seasons 1–3
2011UnsungHerselfEpisode: “Deniece Williams”
PastportHerselfEpisode: “Panama”
2013Anderson LiveHerself/Co-HostEpisode: “Episode #2.82”
Second Generation WayansMayaMain Cast
2014The Daily HelplineHerself/Co-HostEpisode: “Tatyana Ali”
2015The ChaseHerself/ContestantEpisode: “Episode #5.2”
Key & PeeleHeresaEpisode: “Hollywood Sequel Doctor”
2016Zoe Ever AfterAshley KingRecurring Cast
201790’s HouseHerselfEpisode: “The One With the Big Finale”
American KokoN’ShayEpisode: “The Stig”
2018Hollywood DarlingsTatyanaEpisode: “Big White Lies”
The Bobby Brown StorySarah FlintEpisode: “Part One”
2018–22Fancy NancyMrs. James (voice)Recurring Cast: Seasons 1–2, Guest: Season 3
2020Entertainment TonightHerself/Guest Co-HostEpisode: “Episode #40.58”
2022Wheel of FortuneHerself/Celebrity ContestantEpisode: “Curtis Stone, Haley Joel Osment and Tatyana Ali”
RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag RaceHerself/Chakra 7Contestant: Season 2
2023See It Loud: The History of Black TelevisionHerselfEpisode: “Keeping It Real”
Bel-AirMrs. HughesRecurring Cast: Season 2
2024PerimeterConnie DawnMain Cast
Abbott ElementaryKrystalEpisode: “Panel” & “Smith Playground”[19]
After MidnightHerselfGuest Appearance, Episode: June 3, 2024

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
[20]		US
R&B
[21]		UK
[22]		UK
R&B
[23]
Kiss the Sky10647416
“—” denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

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

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[26]		US
R&B
[27]		BEL
[28]		FRA
[29]		IRL
[30]		NL
[31]		NZ
[32]		UK
[22]		UK
R&B
[33]
“Daydreamin’“199865————363Kiss the Sky
“Boy You Knock Me Out”
(featuring Will Smith)		—68563219771231
“Everytime“1999—73—————204
“Wait for It”[37]2014—————————Hello
“—” denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other appearances

TitleYearOther 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 LyteWillennium
“Getting Closer”Kel SpencerWild Wild West
“Candy Girl”2007Kanary DiamondsPuro Fuego[39]
“Wanna Groove”2009InverseSo Far[40]
“Move It, Shake It”Just Matter and NieveLove N’ Dancing[41]
“Bathtub Gin”The Cherokee Rhythm Section
“Joy to the World“2013—Dear Secret Santa[42]
“Kiss the Sky”2015The Legacy of R&B Slow Jamz
“He Loves Me”2016The Legacy of Nu Soul
“Ghost Town”2017Music to Inspire[43]
“U Can Call (Jossy Remix)”20222pacYoutube Release[44]

Awards and nominations

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

  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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Source: en.wikipedia.org