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Tatyana Ali facts for kids

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Tatyana Ali
Tatyana Ali 02 (8123825822).jpg
Ali in 2012
Born
Tatyana Marisol Ali

(1979-01-24) January 24, 1979 (age 46)
Alma mater Harvard University (BA)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active 1987–present
Spouse(s)
Vaughn Rasberry
(m. 2016)
Children 2
Musical career
Genres R&B
Labels
  • MJJ
  • Work Group

Tatyana Marisol Ali (born January 24, 1979) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing Ashley Banks on the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. She also starred as Tyana Jones in the series Love That Girl! and had a repeating role as Roxanne on the show The Young and the Restless. In 2023, she played the main role in Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story.

Early Life and Background

Tatyana Ali was born in North Bellmore, New York. Her family background is mixed. Her father is from Trinidad and has Indian roots, and her mother is from Panama and has African roots.

A Look at Her Career

Starting Out on TV

Tatyana Ali began acting when she was just six years old in 1985. She was a regular on the PBS children's show Sesame Street. She even appeared with famous jazz musician Herbie Hancock. He used her voice to show how his special music machine worked. Tatyana also appeared on Star Search, where she sang a song called "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

Becoming Ashley Banks

Her big break came in 1990 when she was cast as Ashley Banks. This was a main role on the popular NBC TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She played this character for the show's entire run, from 1990 to 1996.

Singing and Music

Tatyana showed her singing talent on Fresh Prince in later seasons. Will Smith, the show's star, encouraged her to try a music career. In 1998, she released her first album, Kiss the Sky. It quickly became a popular album.

Her song "Daydreamin'" was a big hit in 1998. Another song, "Boy You Knock Me Out", featured Will Smith and was very popular in the UK. She also released an EP (a shorter album) called Hello in 2014.

More Acting Roles

Besides music, Tatyana Ali continued acting in movies like The Brothers and Glory Road. From 2007 to 2013, she had a regular role on the soap opera The Young and the Restless. She also starred in the TV One series Love That Girl! and the comedy Second Generation Wayans.

In 2011, she received the Living Legacy Award from the Caribbean Heritage Organization. In 2016, she had a legal disagreement with Warner Bros. about a TV show idea, but the case was later dismissed.

Her Personal Life

Tatyana Ali went to Harvard University and graduated in 2002. She studied African-American Studies and Government.

She was also involved in politics. She traveled around the United States to support Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008. She helped with voter registration drives at college campuses.

In 2016, Tatyana married Vaughn Rasberry, a professor at Stanford University. They met online. The couple now has two sons.

Filmography

Movies

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
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
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
Supermodel Lauren
Teachers Ms. Faith Mayfield Short
2016 Samaria Audrey
2017 Graham: A Dog's Story Stella
2018 Doe Rachel
2020 The Reason Macey
2022 It Snows All the Time Technologist

Television Shows

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?"
Kidz in the Wood Rita TV movie
Fall Into Darkness Sharon McKay
1997 413 Hope St. Kai Episode: "Heartbeat"
1998 All That Herself Episode: "Tatyana Ali"
1999 Live & Kicking Episode: "Episode #6.17" & "#6.19"
The Pop Zone Episode: "Episode #2.5"
2002 Fastlane Shelly Episode: "Girls Own Juice"
2003 Half & Half Olivia Episode: "The Big ... Episode"
2005 The Greatest Herself Episode: "100 Greatest Kid Stars"
2006 Child Star Confidential Episode: "Primetime Princess"
2007 Boulevard of Broken Dreams Episode: "Jonathan Brandis"
On the Lot Episode: "First Sight"
E! True Hollywood Story 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; also executive producer
2010 Running Russell Simmons Herself Episode: "You Only Live Once"
2010–12 Love That Girl! Tyana Jones Main Cast: Seasons 1–3; also producer
2011 Unsung Herself Episode: "Deniece Williams"
Pastport Episode: "Panama"
2013 Anderson Live Herself/Co-Host Episode: "Episode #2.82"
Second Generation Wayans Maya Main Cast
Dear Secret Santa Jennifer
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"
Fatal Flip Roslyn TV movie
2016 Zoe Ever After Ashley King Recurring Cast
Second Sight Clara TV movie
2017 90's House Herself Episode: "The One With the Big Finale"
American Koko N'Shay Episode: "The Stig"
Nanny's Nightmare Monica Thorne TV movie
Wrapped Up in Christmas Heather Nash
2018 Hollywood Darlings Tatyana Episode: "Big White Lies"
The Bobby Brown Story Sarah Flint Episode: "Part One"
Christmas Everlasting Lucy TV movie
Jingle Belle Belle Williams TV movie; also producer
2018–22 Fancy Nancy Mrs. James (voice) Recurring Cast: Seasons 1–2, Guest: Season 3
2019 College Dating App Professor Savoy TV movie
Christmas Hotel Erin TV movie; also producer
2020 Entertainment Tonight Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #40.58"
2021 A Picture Perfect Holiday Gaby TV movie
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
Vanished: Searching for My Sister Jada/Kayla TV movie
2023 See It Loud: The History of Black Television Herself Episode: "Keeping It Real"
Bel-Air Mrs. Hughes Recurring Cast: Season 2
Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story Ni'cola Mitchell TV movie
The Holiday Proposal Plan Sonny Kravitz
2024 Perimeter Connie Dawn Main Cast
Abbott Elementary Krystal Episode: "Panel" & "Smith Playground"
After Midnight Herself Guest Appearance, Episode: June 3, 2024

Discography

Studio Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
US
R&B
UK
UK
R&B
Kiss the Sky
  • Released: August 25, 1998
  • Formats: CD, cassette
  • Label: Work Group
106 47 41 6
"—" means it didn't chart or wasn't released there.

Extended Plays (EPs)

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

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
US
R&B

BEL
FRA
IRL
NL
NZ
UK
UK
R&B
"Daydreamin'" 1998 6 5 3 6 3
  • RIAA: Gold
  • RMNZ: Gold
Kiss the Sky
"Boy You Knock Me Out"
(featuring Will Smith)
68 56 32 19 77 12 3 1
  • RMNZ: Gold
  • BPI: Silver
"Everytime" 1999 73 20 4
"Wait for It" 2014 Hello
"—" means it didn't chart or wasn't released there.

Other Song Appearances

Title Year Other Artist(s) Album
"Love The Way You Love Me" 1999 N/A More!
"Precious Wings" The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
"Who Am I" Will Smith and MC Lyte Willennium
"Getting Closer" Kel Spencer Wild Wild West
"Candy Girl" 2007 Kanary Diamonds Puro Fuego
"Wanna Groove" 2009 Inverse So Far
"Move It, Shake It" Just Matter and Nieve Love N' Dancing
"Bathtub Gin" The Cherokee Rhythm Section
"Joy to the World" 2013 N/A Dear Secret Santa
"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
"U Can Call (Jossy Remix)" 2022 2pac Youtube Release

Awards and Nominations

Tatyana Ali has won and been nominated for several awards for her acting and singing.

  • Caribbean Heritage Organization
    • 2011: Won, Living Legacy Award
  • 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!
  • Young Artist Awards
    • 1991: Won, Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
    • 1992: Nominated, Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
    • 1993: Nominated, Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
    • 1994: Nominated, Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
    • 1995: Nominated, Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series – Name Your Adventure

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tatyana Ali para niños

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