Tatyana Ali

Tatyana Ali is an actress, singer, and producer whose career spans film, television, and music. Ali began performing at age four and started her acting career as a regular on the PBS show "Sesame Street" at age six. She appeared in numerous New York productions, including the Broadway show "Fences" alongside James Earl Jones and Billy Dee Williams, and the off-Broadway show "Orfeo del Campo." At age seven, she competed on "Star Search," winning twice and earning a four-star rating.

Ali is widely recognized for her role as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." During her time on the series, she performed several musical numbers, including Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and the original song "Make Up Your Mind." Encouraged by Will Smith, Ali pursued a music career and released the album "Kiss the Sky," which achieved RIAA gold certification and sold over 500,000 copies.

In addition to her work in entertainment, Ali earned a Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies and Government from Harvard University. Her academic background has influenced her creative projects and advocacy efforts. Ali starred as Tyana Jones in the TV One series "Love That Girl!" and held a recurring role as Roxanne on the CBS soap opera "The Young and the Restless." She has received four NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Youth Actress for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and three for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for "The Young and the Restless."

Ali continues to contribute to the entertainment industry as an actress and producer. She joined the cast of the Peacock series "Bel-Air," portraying Mrs. Hughes, and appeared in "Abbott Elementary" and the series "Perimeter." She also starred in "Giving Hope: The Ni'Cola Mitchell Story" on Lifetime. Beyond her screen work, Ali advocates for education and health initiatives for children and founded Baby Yams, a company supporting Black and Indigenous midwives. She co-founded HazraH Entertainment to develop content for underserved communities. Ali's career reflects a commitment to acting, music, and advocacy within the entertainment industry.