Tatyana Ali’s DWTS Tribute to James Avery Became a Fresh Prince Family Reunion
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Instagram @dancingwiththestars
The ballroom had a little Bel-Air in it on Tuesday night. And yes, tissues were required.
Tatyana Ali dedicated her Dancing With the Stars performance to James Avery, her late The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star and television father, during the October 20 Dedication Night episode. Partnered with Jan Ravnik, the actor performed a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” with a special appearance that made the tribute feel like a family reunion.
Alfonso Ribeiro, who played her on-screen brother Carlton Banks, joined Ali on the dance floor.
For viewers who grew up with the Banks family, seeing Ashley and Carlton together again was already enough to stir up some feelings. Watching them honor the actor who played their father, Philip Banks, gave the reunion a particularly tender meaning. During rehearsals, Ali described Avery as a father figure and spoke simply about their bond: “I loved him a lot.”
The performance opened with Ali seated on a couch in a peach-colored gown before Ravnik guided her into the waltz. The pair moved across the ballroom until Ribeiro joined his longtime friend for a closing dance moment. Ribeiro, himself a Season 19 DWTS champion, brought more than ballroom experience to the routine. He brought a shared history with Ali and Avery that needed very little explanation.
The tribute ended with Ali and Ribeiro holding hands and embracing as Avery’s photograph appeared on the screen behind them. The judges praised the performance, with Carrie Ann Inaba saying she felt honored to witness the longtime friends dancing together.
For six seasons, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air gave audiences the Banks family’s arguments, life lessons, and affectionate chaos. This tribute offered a glimpse of the connection that continued beyond those scenes. For a few minutes, the ballroom felt like a place to remember someone they both loved. Uncle Phil would have been the guest everyone wanted to see.