Tatyana Ali is taking Dancing with the Stars by storm and after her best performance yet, her next will be a tribute to the late great James Avery, who played Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The iconic actor was more than just a TV dad when the cameras stopped rolling and Ali’s upcoming dance for Dedication Night already has fans in their feels.
The Abbott Elementary scene-stealer has some stiff competition, but after her sizzling salsa to Kendrick Lamar’s “Squabble Up,” she’s could have what it takes to win the whole season.
Don’t hurt ’em, Tatyana!
In addition to the sitcom siblings spending the past few weeks together, Ali is giving us a glimpse into her relationship with Avery in her Viennese Waltz. While the dance may look like effortlessly floating on air when done right, it’s a testament to how hard the singer has trained to put her best to the test. She took to Instagram to announce that when she takes the stage on Tuesday, Oct. 20, it will be to make one of her biggest fans proud one more time.
“Everything I believe about being an artist, was learned at his feet. I loved him very much and I know many of you did too, ” she captioned a carousel of throwback photos on Oct. 15.
“I shared my thoughts and feelings with my sweet and absolutely brilliant partner @janravnik and he’s choreographed a spectacular Viennese Waltz. James loved Jazz music and Nancy Wilson was one of his favorites. We’ll be dancing to her song, ‘You don’t know how glad I am.’ The lyrics are perfect for the way I feel. I am elated that I’ve made it far enough in this competition to be able to honor him,” Ali wrote.
“James Avery was one of my greatest teachers. I hope you feel all the love we’re putting into this dance. I’ve felt your love week after week, and it’s keeping me strong during this process. I know if James was still here, he would have been in that audience cheering me on, encouraging me, telling me all the good things he sees in me. I love ya’ll. Wow! What an experience this is. My heart is so very full,” she concluded.
As BOSSIP previously reported, James Avery passed away on Dec. 31, 2013 after complications from open heart surgery. The fans and TV family he left behind ensured we’ll never forget him.
On the Dancing with the Stars Podcast, host Andy Richter noted that the Dedication Night rules changed this year for contestants to choose a special dance partner in addition to the person they dedicate the performance to. Our ’90s fine fave didn’t reveal who would take the place of ballroom pro Jan Ravnik, but she was so excited about the surprise guest that she nearly spilled the tea.
Ali’s stint on the ballroom bonanza has already been one big reunion with her TV sibling Alfonso Ribeiro as the host with the most. Could he be the one popping out to perform? For more than 30 years, he flexed dance moves that fans still love like his signature Carlton choreography.
What about Ashley Banks’ big cousin? Will Smith never forgets the show that changed his life or his former co-stars. After literally tackling adventures around the world on his explorer series Pole to Pole, taking on the dance floor should be light work.
And if we’re talking jaw-dropping dancers from Fresh Prince, we can never forget Janet Hubert’s OG Aunt Viv and the time she went deep into her Broadway bag.
The ’90s nostalgia isn’t the only thing that has everyone watching and talking. Tatyana Ali is a certified ballroom baddie and she’s sparking a swoonami on social media. Ok, legs and hips and body!
If you want to see more of the DWTS stunner, you better vote for her to stay and win the whole competition! We’ll be on the edge of our seats to see the heartfelt homage to James Avery on Oct. 20! Will you be watching?
