Tatyana Ali Explained

Tatyana Ali should not be confused with Tabyana Ali.

Tatyana Ali
Birth Name:Tatyana Marisol Ali
Birth Date:January 24, 1979
Birth Place:North Bellmore, New York, U.S.
Alma Mater:Harvard University (BA)
Years Active:1987–present
Children:2
Module:
Embed:yes
Genre:R&B

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

Tatyana Ali was born on January 24, 1979,[1] in North Bellmore, New York.[2] She is of mixed African and Indian descent 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 Dr. 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
2008Lilleana
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 Thorne TV movie
Graham: A Dog's StoryStellaShort
Wrapped Up in ChristmasHeather Nash TV 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/Connie Episode: "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'Shay Episode: "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 Race Herself/Chakra 7 Contestant: 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

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positions
US
[20]
US
R&B
[21]
UK
[22]
UK
R&B
[23]
Kiss the Sky
  • Released: August 25, 1998
  • Formats: CD, cassette
  • Label: Work Group
106 47 41 6
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" style="width:16em;"
Album details
Hello[24]
All I Have[25]
  • Released: December 1, 2023
  • Formats: Streaming
  • Label: Self-released

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US
[26]
US
R&B
[27]
BEL
[28]
FRA
[29]
IRL
[30]
NL
[31]
NZ
[32]
UK
UK
R&B
[33]
"Daydreamin'"19986 5 3 6 3 Kiss the Sky
"Boy You Knock Me Out"
--font-weight:normal;-->">(featuring Will Smith)68 56 32 19 77 12 3 1
"Everytime"199973 20 4
"Wait for It"[37] 2014Hello
"—" 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"1999More
"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"2013Dear 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
NAACP Image Awards
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
Young Artist Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rose . Mike . Today's famous birthdays list for January 24, 2023 includes celebrities Neil Diamond, Aaron Neville. January 24, 2023 . Cleveland.com. January 24, 2023 .
  2. News: Vasquez . Whitney . May 22, 2019 . Will Smith's 'Aladdin' Premiere Transforms Hollywood Into One Big Arabian Night . Yahoo! Entertainment . . February 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210208010605/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/smith-aladdin-premiere-transforms-hollywood-140257439.html . February 8, 2021.
  3. Web site: Happy Birthday, Tatyana Ali . . January 20, 2019 . January 24, 2017.
  4. Ofole-Prince. Samantha. August–September 2011. The talented Ms. Ali:an interview with Tatyana. CaribPress Newsmagazine. Los Angeles. 5. Robert. Wheaton. August 17, 2011.
  5. Wheaton. Robert. August–September 2011. Caribbean Heritage Salute in Hollywood. CaribPress Newsmagazine. 21. Los Angeles. Robert. Wheaton. August 17, 2011.
  6. Web site: 'Fresh Prince' Actress Sues Warner Bros Claiming It Used Her Idea For 'The Real'. Erik. Pedersen. July 16, 2016. October 13, 2017. Deadline Hollywood.
  7. News: Court Tosses Tatyana Ali Lawsuit Claiming 'The Real' Was Her Idea . live . Greg . https://web.archive.org/web/20170225101412/http://deadline.com/2017/02/tatyana-ali-verdict-the-real-lawsuit-1201973723/ . February 24, 2017 . February 25, 2017 . Deadline Hollywood . Evans.
  8. Jewel . Dan . Young Love . . July 8, 1996 . August 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081207133601/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20141725,00.html . December 7, 2008 . live .
  9. News: Tatyana Ali Shares Her Black Experience at Harvard University. December 12, 2012. BET. June 21, 2012.
  10. News: Tatyana Ali wants young people to know their voice counts. https://archive.today/20130116081613/http://www.9news.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=98624&catid=188. dead. January 16, 2013. August 8, 2008. 9news.com. November 27, 2012.
  11. News: Baker. Mike . NC Voter Registrations Surge. April 9, 2008. seattletimes.com. November 27, 2012.
  12. News: 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Star Tatyana Ali Pregnant With Baby No. 2 . live . April 13, 2019 . Jennifer . https://web.archive.org/web/20190414162941/https://www.etonline.com/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-star-tatyana-ali-pregnant-with-baby-no-2-123354 . . Drysdale . November 23, 2019 . April 14, 2019.
  13. Web site: Harrison. Lily. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Tatyana Ali Reveals She's Engaged—and Pregnant. E! Entertainment Television. April 1, 2016.
  14. Web site: Tatyana Ali Marries Dr. Vaughn Rasberry. Dugan, Christina. People.com. July 17, 2016 . July 19, 2016.
  15. Web site: Tatyana Ali Marries Vaughn Rasberry. Hautman, Nicholas. Us Magazine. July 17, 2016. July 19, 2016.
  16. Web site: Tatyana Ali Welcomes Son Edward. People.com. September 23, 2016. October 3, 2019.
  17. Web site: Tatyana Ali Welcomes Second Son Alejandro. People.com. Cronin, Colleen. October 2, 2019. October 3, 2019.
  18. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zeta-phi-beta-sorority-incorporated-announces-newest-class-of-honorary-members-302208069.html Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Announces Newest Class of Honorary Members
  19. Web site: Scanlon . Claire . Panel . 2024-03-20 . 2024-03-22 . Abbott Elementary . Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti. .
  20. Billboard Chart History: Tatyana Ali. Billboard. November 2, 2017.
  21. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Tatyana Ali. Billboard. November 2, 2017.
  22. Web site: UK Charts – Tatyana Ali. Official Charts Company. November 2, 2017.
  23. Web site: Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 14 February 1999 – 20 February 1999 . Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 Archive . Official Charts Company. November 2, 2017.
  24. Web site: Hello by Tatyana Ali. iTunes. January 21, 2014 . November 2, 2017.
  25. Web site: All I Have by Tatyana Ali. Spotify. December 1, 2023 . December 1, 2023.
  26. Tatyana Ali Chart History (Hot 100). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127191814/https://www.billboard.com/artist/tatyana-ali/chart-history/hsi/. November 27, 2021. April 16, 2023.
  27. Tatyana Ali Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). Billboard. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127191305/https://www.billboard.com/artist/tatyana-ali/chart-history/bsi/. November 27, 2021. April 16, 2023.
  28. Web site: Belgium Charts – Tatyana Ali. Ultratop. November 2, 2017.
  29. Web site: Steffen Hung . Les charts français . lescharts.com . March 13, 1999. November 2, 2017.
  30. Web site: Search the Charts: Tatyana Ali. The Irish Charts . Irish Recorded Music Association. November 2, 2017.
  31. Web site: Steffen Hung . – Dutch charts portal . Dutchcharts.nl. November 2, 2017.
  32. Web site: Steffen Hung . – New Zealand charts portal . charts.nz. November 2, 2017.
  33. Web site: US certifications: Tatyana Ali. Recording Industry Association of America. November 2, 2017.
  34. Book: Scapolo, Dean . The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006 . Dean Scapolo and Maurienne House . Wellington . 2007 . 978-1877443-00-8.
  35. Web site: Search Results: Tatyana Ali. British Phonographic Industry. November 2, 2017. September 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233259/https://www.bpi.co.uk/bpi-awards/. dead.
  36. Web site: Wait for It by Tatyana Ali. iTunes. January 21, 2014 . November 2, 2017.
  37. Web site: The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. iTunes. January 1999 . November 2, 2017.
  38. Web site: Kanary Diamonds. iTunes. January 2007 . November 2, 2017.
  39. Web site: So Far – the Collection. iTunes. July 6, 2009 . November 2, 2017.
  40. Web site: Love N' Dancing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). iTunes. May 8, 2009 . November 2, 2017.
  41. Web site: Dear Secret Santa Soundtrack. iTunes. November 2, 2017.
  42. Web site: Music to Inspire: Artists UNited Against Human Trafficking. iTunes. January 27, 2017 . November 2, 2017.
  43. Web site: 2pac ft. Tatyana Ali - U Can Call (Jossy OG Vibe Remix 2022). YouTube. December 4, 2022 . December 4, 2022.
  44. Web site: 44th NAACP Image Awards Full List of Nominees. NAACP. December 12, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130319130412/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/44th-NIA-Nominations_Final_Release.pdf. March 19, 2013.