Yo, Fresh Prince fans! Remember Ashley Banks? Of course you do! Tatyana Ali played Will Smith's little cousin on the show and she was awesome. Well guess what? Ashley and the whole Fresh Prince vibe are trending again in a big way thanks to TikTok and none other than Will Smith himself. Get ready for a blast from the past with a modern twist!
Will Smith Gives Props to Alfonso Ribeiro (and Kinda to Ashley Too!) for Fresh Prince Success
So first things first let's talk about Alfonso Ribeiro aka Carlton Banks. In a recent interview Will Smith gave Alfonso some major props. He said that working with Alfonso on Fresh Prince totally changed his life creatively. Apparently Alfonso was always going all-out during rehearsals giving 100% every single time. Will said that Alfonso's dedication taught him a lot about commitment to comedy.
Alfonso was super touched by Will's words. He said Will is like his "brother for life" and that they created some "incredible magic" on the show that just can't be repeated. Alfonso explained his rehearsal philosophy saying he always gave it his all so the writers could see what worked and what didn't. He thinks that's why he got some of the best lines on Fresh Prince! It's awesome to see that kind of respect and love between the Fresh Prince cast members even years later. And hey Ashley aka Tatyana Ali was right there in the mix too wasn't she?
'Anxiety' Gone Viral: How Ashley Banks' Iconic Dance Moves Sparked a TikTok Sensation
Now here's where Tatyana Ali and Ashley Banks come into the TikTok story. Remember that super funny dance Will and Ashley did on Fresh Prince? The one where they are really getting down? Well that scene has become a HUGE TikTok trend! People are recreating the dance to the song "Anxiety" and it is hilarious and awesome all at once.
The song "Anxiety" by Doechii samples a track you might recognize Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know". Doechii's version has blown up on TikTok and folks are using the Fresh Prince dance to go along with it. It's a perfect combo of 90s sitcom nostalgia and modern music vibes.
Will Smith himself even jumped on the trend! He posted a TikTok video recreating the mirror scene from Fresh Prince but with a twist. He starts mouthing the lyrics to "Anxiety" in the mirror then takes off his hood to reveal... Doechii herself! It's a super cool and trippy video showing love for Doechii's song and giving a nod to the Fresh Prince roots of the dance.
Doechii and Will Smith: A Surprising Connection Beyond TikTok (Grammy Wins and Hip-Hop History!)
This TikTok collab between Will Smith and Doechii is actually extra cool when you realize they have more in common than just a viral dance. Both Will and Doechii are Grammy winners who have made history in the rap world! Will Smith (as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince) won the very first Grammy for best rap performance way back in 1989. Doechii just recently won a Grammy for best rap album in 2025. That's some serious hip-hop cred!
Doechii is definitely having a major moment right now. She went from being a TikTok star to a signed artist with Top Dawg Entertainment and Capitol Records. Her song "What It Is (Block Boy)" even broke into the Billboard Hot 100. She's getting nominated for awards left and right including NAACP Image Awards and Variety named her a Hip-Hop Disruptor. Billboard even honored her as Woman of the Year. Doechii is a rising star and her team up with Will Smith just shows how far she has come.
Ashley Banks' Enduring Charm: Why We Still Love Tatyana Ali and the Fresh Prince Crew
This whole TikTok trend and Will and Doechii's collab really highlights how much people still love Fresh Prince and the characters. Ashley Banks played by Tatyana Ali was such a fun and memorable part of the show. She was the cool little cousin who could dance and had her own sassy personality. Even though Fresh Prince ended years ago the characters and the show's humor still resonate with people today. And Tatyana Ali's portrayal of Ashley is a big reason why.
Key Moments from the Fresh Prince TikTok Trend:
- The "Anxiety" Dance: The iconic Fresh Prince dance scene between Will and Ashley Banks becomes a viral TikTok trend.
- Doechii's "Anxiety" Song: Doechii's track sampling Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" provides the soundtrack for the trend.
- Will Smith & Doechii Collab: Will Smith joins forces with Doechii for a trippy TikTok video showcasing the mirror trick and the "Anxiety" dance.
- Alfonso Ribeiro's Praise: Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton) acknowledges Will Smith's props and reflects on their Fresh Prince bond and Tatyana Ali's contribution to the show's magic.
- 90s Nostalgia Meets Modern Music: The trend blends the beloved 90s sitcom Fresh Prince with a hot new song creating a cross-generational appeal.
So What's Next for Ashley Banks and the Fresh Prince Legacy? Keep Watching TikTok!
It's awesome to see Tatyana Ali and Ashley Banks getting love all over again thanks to this TikTok trend. It just proves how timeless Fresh Prince really is. Who knows maybe this will lead to even more Fresh Prince revivals or reunions in the future? For now keep your eyes on TikTok and see how else the "Anxiety" dance and Ashley Banks' moves take over. And maybe give "Anxiety" by Doechii a listen too. It's definitely a bop!