Tatyana Ali
Tatyana Marisol Ali (born January 24, 1979) is an American actress and R&B … Read Full Bio ↴Tatyana Marisol Ali (born January 24, 1979) is an American actress and R&B singer, best known for her childhood role as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Currently, she stars as Tyana Jones on the TV One original sitcom Love That Girl!, and has a recurring role as Roxanne on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Career
By the age of six, Ali had begun her acting career, as a regular child performer on Sesame Street starting in 1985, even appearing with Herbie Hancock in a musical number. She also appeared twice on Star Search.
She made her breakthrough when she was cast as Ashley Banks for the television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. She sang on various episodes of the show, including a heavily altered version of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and the original song, “Make Up Your Mind” produced by Robert Jerald of N’Spyre Music Productions. Will Smith asked her if she seriously considered pursuing a musical career. Despite her singing ability, she concentrated on her acting career on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air the next few years.
In the final season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1995–1996, Ali began preparing herself for her musical debut. The result was the album Kiss The Sky, which was certified gold in early 1999. The album spawned the hit song “Daydreamin’”, released July 21, 1998, produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart.
The album spawned two further UK hits, “Boy You Knock Me Out”, featuring Will Smith, which peaked at #3 and is her biggest hit to date; and “Everytime”, which was her third top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at #20. She made an appearance in Smith’s album Willennium for the track “Who Am I” with MC Lyte.
Along with her musical career, Ali kept acting in many films. She had the chance to work with recognized film directors such as Takeshi Kitano (Brother), Rodrigo Garcia (Mother and Child), among others.
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 early 2008, she performed on 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.
She is currently preparing to release her second album, which she describes as “an independent effort”. The album is titled The Light. Much of the album’s production was being handled by famed Tupac Shakur’s producer Johnny “J”.
She also performed the title song, “Sunny Valentine” along with Terrence Quaites for the indie film, Rockin’ Meera directed by Param Gill in 2005.
She is also producing and starring in the BET web show, Buppies. She is currently on recurring status on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Roxanne.
Ali currently can be seen in the show, Love That Girl! on TV One. She stars as Tyana (which comes from the last five letters of her name). When asked if the character bears any similarities to her, Ali said in a recent CaribPress interview, “She’s a bit neurotic and I hope I am not quite like that.”
“One thing that I do love about her is that she is really multidimensional,” she went on to say in the same interview. “I think it’s nice to have a female character that is portrayed in (a) really holistic way.”
Ali also starred in Nora’s Hair Salon and Nora’s Hair Salon 2: A Cut Above.
In 2011, Ali received the Living Legacy Award from the Caribbean Heritage Organization in Los Angeles.
In 2012, Ali appeared as a guest on The Eric Andre Show
Personal life
Ali attended Harvard University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Afro-American history and government in 2002. She traveled the United States as a spokesperson for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and headed voter registration drives at college campuses. In 2012, she continued showing her support.
She dated actor Jonathan Brandis from 1995 to 1998.
Career
By the age of six, Ali had begun her acting career, as a regular child performer on Sesame Street starting in 1985, even appearing with Herbie Hancock in a musical number. She also appeared twice on Star Search.
She made her breakthrough when she was cast as Ashley Banks for the television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. She sang on various episodes of the show, including a heavily altered version of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and the original song, “Make Up Your Mind” produced by Robert Jerald of N’Spyre Music Productions. Will Smith asked her if she seriously considered pursuing a musical career. Despite her singing ability, she concentrated on her acting career on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air the next few years.
In the final season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1995–1996, Ali began preparing herself for her musical debut. The result was the album Kiss The Sky, which was certified gold in early 1999. The album spawned the hit song “Daydreamin’”, released July 21, 1998, produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart.
The album spawned two further UK hits, “Boy You Knock Me Out”, featuring Will Smith, which peaked at #3 and is her biggest hit to date; and “Everytime”, which was her third top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at #20. She made an appearance in Smith’s album Willennium for the track “Who Am I” with MC Lyte.
Along with her musical career, Ali kept acting in many films. She had the chance to work with recognized film directors such as Takeshi Kitano (Brother), Rodrigo Garcia (Mother and Child), among others.
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 early 2008, she performed on 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.
She is currently preparing to release her second album, which she describes as “an independent effort”. The album is titled The Light. Much of the album’s production was being handled by famed Tupac Shakur’s producer Johnny “J”.
She also performed the title song, “Sunny Valentine” along with Terrence Quaites for the indie film, Rockin’ Meera directed by Param Gill in 2005.
She is also producing and starring in the BET web show, Buppies. She is currently on recurring status on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Roxanne.
Ali currently can be seen in the show, Love That Girl! on TV One. She stars as Tyana (which comes from the last five letters of her name). When asked if the character bears any similarities to her, Ali said in a recent CaribPress interview, “She’s a bit neurotic and I hope I am not quite like that.”
“One thing that I do love about her is that she is really multidimensional,” she went on to say in the same interview. “I think it’s nice to have a female character that is portrayed in (a) really holistic way.”
Ali also starred in Nora’s Hair Salon and Nora’s Hair Salon 2: A Cut Above.
In 2011, Ali received the Living Legacy Award from the Caribbean Heritage Organization in Los Angeles.
In 2012, Ali appeared as a guest on The Eric Andre Show
Personal life
Ali attended Harvard University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Afro-American history and government in 2002. She traveled the United States as a spokesperson for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and headed voter registration drives at college campuses. In 2012, she continued showing her support.
She dated actor Jonathan Brandis from 1995 to 1998.
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Tatyana Ali Lyrics
Boy You Knock Me Out From the moment that I saw you, babe All I…
Boy You Knock Me Out ) From the moment that I saw you, babe All I…
Day Dreamin All day long I think of you I can't even…
Everytime Was I awake, or was it just a dream? I…
Getting Closer Let's make it funky Real funky for you When it…
Getting Closer Feat. Kel Spencer Let's make it funky Real funky for you When it…
He Loves Me We started out as real good friends. Mentally, we became…
If I Ever Love Again How many times can I die? How many times can…
If You Love Me Come here; I want to tell you something. I love…
If You Only Knew If you only knew All the things I feel for you Boy,…
Interlude wanted to make an album about love. Not love only in…
Intro Hello... Is this on? Nah, make it hot, stop acting…
Kiss The Sky Listen... Close your eyes, and take my hand. I know…
Last Summer Yesterday we said our last goodbyes. Darling, yesterday we g…
Love The Way Come here; I want to tell you something. I love…
Precious Wings Spread your Precious Wings and fly, fly, fly, fly... From th…
Through Life Alone You said a little time is all you need. You…
Trumaster b/w Boy You Knock Me Out From the moment that I saw you, babe All I…
Wait for It I don't owe nobody no explanations You can be yourself Don't…
Yesterday Yesterday we said our last goodbyes. Darling, yesterday we …
You and Me Song From the moment that I saw you, babe All I…