Where Is She Now: Tatyana Ali (Actress) as Ashley Banks - The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Updated: 10/03/2008
Name: Tatyana Ali
Born: January 24, 1979, North Bellmore, Long Island,
Claim To Fame: Best known for her role as Ashley Banks in
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Family Life: Her parents are Sonia, a nurse from Panama,
and Sheriff Ali, a retired police officer from Trinidad.
Info: By the age of five, Ali was already a two-time Star
Search winner, and began her singing career at the age of
seven. She also appeared with Herbie Hancock on an episode
of Sesame Street. Her breakthrough role as Ashley Banks on
the popular television sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air not
only brought her fame, but also proved her musical
capabilities.
On one episode Ali sings Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and the
original song "Make Up Your Mind" produced by Rob Jay of
Nspyre Music Productions. Her talent prompted Will Smith to
ask her if she gave serious thought to pursuing a musical
career. She released her first album Kiss The Sky, which was
certified gold in early 1999. The hit song "Daydreamin'" hit
number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles
Chart.
In 2005, she completed work on the film Glory Road and
starred in the music video for Nick Cannon and Anthony
Hamilton's "Can I Live?" as Cannon's mother. In 2007, she
appeared in the short films Wilted, How To Have A Girl, The
Malibu Myth, and First Sight, which were made during the
reality show On the Lot. She is currently on recurring status
on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Roxanne.
Trivia: Appeared on Star Search in 1987 and was Junior Vocalist Champion
Mother is a Black Panamanian; father is from Trinidad and of East Indian
descent.
Graduated from Harvard University in June 2002 with a degree in Afro-American
history and government.
Attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California.
Has two younger sisters, Kimberly and Anastacia
Admires Oprah Winfrey
Her favorite actors are Spencer Tracey and Humphrey Bogart
Her favorite book is The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
Her favorite movies are Gone With The Wind, West Side Story, Vertigo and the
biopic What's Love Got To Do With It
Some of her hobbies are gymnastics, swimming, dancing, and singing.
She graduated from Marymount High School in Los Angeles, California.
Shares her birthday with Matthew Lillard, and Mischa Barton.
Has worked with Jenifer Lewis three times: "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" (1990),
The Brothers (2001) and most recently Nora's Hair Salon (2004).
Worked with Alfonso Ribeiro in "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" (1990) and Kidz in
the woods (TV)(1996)
Released her first CD, Kiss the Sky, in 1998 and released music video's for Boy
You Knock Me Out, Daydreamin and Everytime to promote her debut album Kiss The
Sky in 1998.
Has worked with Tamala Jones twice, once in The Brothers (2001) and again in
Nora's Hair Salon (2004).
Ranked #74 in VH1 100 Top Child Stars in 2005
Can speak Spanish fluently and say some phrases in Hindi.
Still has contact with her Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co stars.
Is still good friends with Will Smith.
Has posed in King's Magazine twice.
Dated American actor Jonathan Brandis from 1995 to 2001, with whom she
co-starred in the TV movie Fall into Darkness.
Where Is She Now: On the musical front, Ali is working on
her second album, titled The Light, which she describes as
"an independent effort". She is also producing and starring
in the web show, BUPPIES.
Ali is also largely involved in Barack Obama's 2008
Presidential Campaign. She has traveled as a spokesperson
for the campaign, and is the head of voter registration
drives at college campuses, including many historically
black colleges and universities.
Earlier this year, Ali contributed her vocal talents to 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 gained coverage on the "What
the Buzz" segment of ABC?s World News Now.
