R&B vocalist Tatyana Ali began her executing career as a kid actress co-starring around the strike sitcom THE NEW Prince of Bel-Air. Following a series’ 1996 cancellation, she adopted in the footsteps of co-star Will Smith and considered music, debuting in 1998 using the smash summer solitary “Daydreamin’.” Ali’s debut recording, Kiss the Sky, adopted later that 12 months.
Quick Facts
Full Name Tatyana Ali
Height 1.62 m
Profession Actor, Model, Singer, Television producer, Activist
Education Marymount High School, Harvard University
Awards NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Music Songs Boy You Knock Me Out, Daydreamin', If I Ever Love Again, Everytime, Through Life Alone, Precious Wings, If You Only Knew, Love the Way You Love Me, He Loves Me, Getting Closer, Almost Love, Never Leave You Lonely, Worth the Weight, Wait for It, Kiss the Sky, Candy Girl, Last Summer, Intro, Yesterday, Interlude, Hello, Daydreamin' Part II, Daydreamin', Pt. II, Ghost Town, Boy You Knock, Joy to the World, Thinking of You
Albums Kiss the Sky, Boy You Knock Me Out, Hello
Nominations NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist, Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Actress
Movies Glory Road, The Brothers, Kiss the Girls, Fall Into Darkness, Jawbreaker, National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze, Fakin' da Funk, November Rule, Dysfunctional Friends, Mother and Child, Locker 13, Nora's Hair Salon, Crocodile Dundee II, Home Again, Eddie Murphy Raw, Nora's Hair Salon 2: A Cut Above, The Clown at Midnight, Kidz in the Wood, Domino One, Hotel California, Back in the Day, Brother, Pete Smalls Is Dead, It Snows All The Time, Privileged, Supermodel, The Good Nanny, The Precious One, The Last Letter, Comeback Dad, Dear Secret Santa, The List, A Very Larry Christmas, 23rd Psalm: Redemption, Fatal Flip, The Butterfly Chasers, The Misguided Adventures of Dating in Hollywood, Second Sight
TV Shows Love That Girl!, Second Generation Wayans, 413 Hope St., The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Young and the Restless, Buppies
Facts
Filmography
Awards
Salaries
Quotes
Trademarks
Pictures
#
Fact
1
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 37, a son named Edward Aszard Rasberry on September 16, 2016. Child's father is her husband, Dr. Vaughn Rasberry.
2
(July 16, 2016) Married her boyfriend of 2 years, Dr. Vaughn Rasberry, in Beverly Hills, California, following a 4-month-long engagement.
3
Was in a relationship with actor Jonathan Brandis for 3 years (1996-1999).
4
Currently working on her new album [March 2005]
5
Graduated from Harvard University with a degree in government. [June 2002]
Released her first CD, Kiss the Sky, in 1998 and released music video's for Boy You Knock Me Out, Daydreamin and Everytime to promote her debut album Kiss The Sky in 1998.
Has two younger sisters, Kimberly and TV producer Anastasia N. Ali.
22
Attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California.
23
Graduated from Harvard University in June 2002 with a degree in Afro-American history and government.
24
Mother is Afro-Panamanian; father is from Trinidad of East Indian descent.
25
Appeared on Star Search (1983) in 1987 and was Junior Vocalist Champion.
26
Started in showbiz at the age of four-and-a-half on the classic children's show Sesame Street (1969), most notably when she said her name into a C.M. I. Fairlight synthesizer that was being played by Herbie Hancock.
27
Touring with the "All That and More Music Festival" [1999]
28
Appeared on Star Search (1983), beating her opponents several times.
Actress
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Reason
2016/II
post-production
Macey
It Snows All the Time
2016
completed
Technologist
Supermodel
2016
post-production
Lauren
Samaria
2016
Short
Audrey
Second Sight
2016
TV Movie
Clara
Zoe Ever After
2016
TV Series
Ashley King
Teachers
2015
Short
Ms. Faith Mayfield
Key and Peele
2015
TV Series
Heresa
Fatal Flip
2015
TV Movie
Roslyn
November Rule
2015
Leah
Save for Now
2015
Short
Woman
Love That Girl!
2010-2014
TV Series
Tyana Jones
Comeback Dad
2014
Nima
Locker 13
2014
Lucy (segment "story #1")
The Black Bachelor
2014
Short
The Divorce
2014
TV Movie
A Very Larry Christmas
2013
Nicole
Dear Secret Santa
2013
TV Movie
Jennifer
The Young and the Restless
2007-2013
TV Series
Roxanne
The Last Letter
2013
Jillian
24 Hour Love
2013
Simply
Second Generation Wayans
2013
TV Series
Maya
Home Again
2012
Marva Johnson
Dysfunctional Friends
2012
Alex
23rd Psalm: Redemption
2011
Stacey Wayne
Geo n Rat
2011
Short
Det. Erica Anderson
Pete Smalls Is Dead
2010
Cocktail Waitress
Buppies
2009-2010
TV Series
Quinci
Privileged
2010
Talia
Mother and Child
2009
Maria
Locker 13: Down and Out
2009
Short
The Jeffrey Henderson Show
2009
TV Series
Herslf
Hotel California
2008
Jessie
Nora's Hair Salon II
2008
Lilliana
The List
2007/II
Cynthia
A Warm Place
2006
Short
Clair Andrews
Glory Road
2006
Tina Malichi
Back in the Day
2005
Alicia
Domino One
2005
Laeticia Richards
Nora's Hair Salon
2004
Lilleana
Dorm Daze
2003
Claire
Half & Half
2003
TV Series
Olivia
Fastlane
2002
TV Series
Shelly
The Brothers
2001
Cherie Smith
Brother
2000/I
Latifa (as Tatyana M. Ali)
The Clown at Midnight
1999
Monica
Jawbreaker
1999
Brenda
413 Hope St.
1997
TV Series
Kai
Fakin' Da Funk
1997
Karyn
Kiss the Girls
1997
Janell Cross (as Tatyana M. Ali)
Fall Into Darkness
1996
TV Movie
Sharon McKay (as Tatyana M. Ali)
Kidz in the Wood
1996
TV Movie
Rita (as Tatyana M. Ali)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990-1996
TV Series
Ashley Banks
Living Single
1996
TV Series
Stephanie James
In the House
1995
TV Series
Ashley Banks
TV's Funniest Families
1994
TV Movie
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
1994
TV Series
Laura Turner
Connie Turner
Getting By
1993
TV Series
Nicole Alexander / Vanessa
Sesame Street
1985-1990
TV Series
Tatyana
The Cosby Show
1989
TV Series
Girl
A Man Called Hawk
1989
TV Series
Michelle
Wally and the Valentines
1989
TV Movie
Jamaica Valentine
Wow, You're a Cartoonist!
1988
Video short
Child Cartoonist
Crocodile Dundee II
1988
Park Girl
Producer
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Black Actress
2013
TV Series producer
October 31
2012
Short consulting producer
Love That Girl!
2010-2012
TV Series producer - 21 episodes
Buppies
2009-2010
TV Series executive producer - 10 episodes
Nora's Hair Salon II
2008
co-producer
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rockin' Meera
2006
"Sunny Valentine"
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
1999
performer: "Precious Wings"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Self
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Entertainment Tonight
2016
TV Series
Herself
Teens Wanna Know
2015
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Dancing Man the Documentary
2015
Documentary short
Herself
Black Girls Rock!
2015
TV Movie
Herself
Black Girls Rock! Post Show
2015
TV Movie
Herself - Host
The Chase
2015
TV Series
Herself - Contestant
The Daily Helpline
2014
TV Series
Herself - Co-Host
BET Awards 2014
2014
TV Special
Herself
45th NAACP Image Awards
2014
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Home & Family
2014
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Arsenio Hall Show
2014
TV Series
Herself - Musical Guest
Tell a Friend Get Covered
2014
TV Movie
Herself
Bethenny
2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Black Actress
2013
TV Series
Herself
Black Girls Rock! 2013
2013
TV Movie
Herself
The 365Black Awards
2013
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Arts & Entertainment Award
BET Awards 2013
2013
TV Special
Herself
Radio Disney Music Awards
2013
TV Special
Herself
The Wendy Williams Show
2011-2013
TV Series
Herself - Guest / Herself
44th NAACP Image Awards
2013
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Anderson Live
2013
TV Series
Herself - Co-Host
Watch What Happens: Live
2013
TV Series
Herself
Imagine a Future
2013
Documentary short
Herself
The Eric Andre Show
2012
TV Series
Herself
43rd NAACP Image Awards
2012
TV Special
Herself
Pastport
2011
TV Series
Herself
Black Girls Rock! 2011
2011
TV Movie
Herself
Unsung
2011
TV Series documentary
Herself
42nd NAACP Image Awards
2011
TV Special
Herself
Way Black When: Primetime
2011
TV Series
Herself
Running Russell Simmons
2010
TV Series
Herself
Stand Up to Cancer
2010
TV Special
Herself
BET Awards 2010
2010
TV Special
Herself
The Brian McKnight Show
2010
TV Series
Herself
Red Carpet Report
2010
TV Series
Herself
41st NAACP Image Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself
The Mo'Nique Show
2009
TV Series
Herself
Access Hollywood
2009
TV Series
Herself
Catch 21
2009
TV Series
Herself - Contestant
Straight from the Horses Mouth
2009
Video
Herself
Obama: The First 100 Days
2009
TV Movie documentary
Herself
11-04-08: The Day of Change
2009
TV Movie
Herself
What's at Stake?
2008
TV Movie
Herself
Relative Madness
2008
TV Series documentary
Herself
Yes We Can
2008
Video short
Herself
E! True Hollywood Story
2007
TV Series documentary
Herself
ReNew Orleans
2007
TV Series documentary
Herself (2007)
On the Lot
2007
TV Series
Girl - 'First Sight'
Child Star Confidential
2006
TV Series documentary
Herself
Starz Special: On the Set of 'Glory Road'
2006
TV Movie documentary
Tina Malichi
50 Cutest Child Stars: All Grown Up
2005
TV Movie documentary
Herself
BET Awards 2005
2005
TV Special
Herself
The Greatest
2005
TV Series documentary
Herself
Back to Bel-Air: A Fresh Look
2005
Video short
Herself
The Great American Celebrity Spelling Bee
2004
TV Mini-Series
Herself
34th NAACP Image Awards
2003
TV Special
Herself
The Other Half
2003
TV Series
Herself
Scenes by the Sea: Takeshi Kitano
2000
TV Special documentary
Herself
The Teen Choice Awards 1999
1999
TV Special
Herself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1999
TV Series
Herself
The Pop Zone
1999
TV Series
Herself
30th NAACP Image Awards
1999
TV Special
Herself
The 26th Annual American Music Awards
1999
TV Special
Herself
The 1998 Billboard Music Awards
1998
TV Special
Herself
The 25th Annual American Music Awards
1998
TV Special
Herself
All That
1998
TV Series
Herself - Musical Guest
MTV Video Music Awards 1998
1998
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The Magic Hour
1998
TV Series
Herself
28th NAACP Image Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1996
TV Series
Herself / Ashley Banks
Soul Train
1995
TV Series documentary
Herself - Guest Host
The 22nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
1995
TV Special
Herself
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '95
1995
TV Special
Herself
Vicki!
1992-1994
TV Series
Herself
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '94
1994
TV Special
Herself
26th NAACP Image Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself
Name Your Adventure
1993
TV Series
Herself - Co-host
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
1992
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Celebrity Gumshoe
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '92
1992
TV Special
Herself
The Chuck Woolery Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Ebony/Jet Showcase
1991
TV Series
Herself
The More You Know
1989
TV Series
Herself
Eddie Murphy: Raw
1987
Documentary
Eddie's Sister (sketch)
Archive Footage
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Entertainment Tonight
2016
TV Series
Herself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
2011
TV Series
Herself - Skin Cancer Ad
A polos 25
2010
TV Series
Ashley Banks
Won awards
Won awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
Award shared with
2014
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
The Young and the Restless (1973)
2013
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
The Young and the Restless (1973)
2012
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
The Young and the Restless (1973)
2011
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
The Young and the Restless (1973)
1997
YoungStar Award
YoungStar Awards
Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1996
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1991
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
Nominated awards
Nominated awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
Award shared with
2013
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Love That Girl! (2010)
2012
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Love That Girl! (2010)
2011
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Love That Girl! (2010)
2010
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
The Young and the Restless (1973)
2010
Streamy Award
The Streamy Awards
Best Female Actor in a Drama Web Series
Buppies (2009)
1997
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1996
Blimp Award
Kids' Choice Awards, USA
Favorite Television Actress
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1995
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Best Performance: Young Actress in a TV Comedy Series
Name Your Adventure (1993)
1994
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Best Youth Comedienne
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1993
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
1992
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Outstanding Young Comedienne in a Television Series
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
Looks like we don't have salary information. Sorry!
#
Quote
1
I actually studied political studies and Afro-American studies in school, which was my major. I'm very interested in politics privately, but I think that each individual should be politically active. It's really important because politics affects your everyday life; it affects how much we pay for gas. Hello? Those are the things you're voting for in the booth, and I think people forget that. The next big fight is to get people to come out in the general election against McCain.
2
Just because people have done us wrong doesn't mean we should give up. One of the reasons I did volunteer was because I was pissed at what happened in 2000 and in 2004. It made me cry. I needed to be hands-on and help, so I signed up to volunteer. You can't let the past dictate the future. This is a fight worth fighting. - On why she volunteered to support the Barack Obama campaign
3
I've been working as a surrogate for his campaign. Surrogates can be politicians, actors, musicians or private citizens-anyone who volunteers in the campaign. Since the Iowa caucuses, I've been going to colleges and speaking to students, not just about Obama but about the importance of participating in the process. The notion that one vote doesn't matter really is a lie. - On working on the Barack Obama campaign
4
I found my voice with this album, The Light. I can never stop singing. Remember, I recorded my first album [1998's Kiss the Sky, MJJ Music] when I was 16, and other people wrote most of the songs. I really wanted the next album that I did to express who I am. And the only way I can do that is to write it myself. So in that sense, I found my voice. - On her second album The Light
5
It's kind of like the Wild West out there, and not just for black Hollywood. In a traditional sense, things look bad-there are people out of work, shows aren't going up and a lot of films aren't being made, because of the fear of actors going on strike. But I think it's a real fertile time to stake your claim. With things up in the air, it creates new space for people who are trying to break through, business-wise. - Her thoughts on Black Hollywood
6
I've always wanted to produce. Our company's mandate, [for] Anastasia and I, is to bring varied content to the urban space-across the board. Our first project is a Web series called Buppies, which touches on black Hollywood and has a little bit of a Sex and the City and Entourage vibe. It's about the characters, both women and men, figuring out who they are. - On her production company Hazrah entertainment
7
It's not my goal. But it certainly stretched me as an actor. That's why there's something about the art itself, and performing, that I truly love. That still drives me. I've been in this business for 24 years, so there are a lot of things that I know intuitively. If I'm in the position to bring up an incredible writer, director or producer, I'll do it in some way. - On evolving as an actress
8
I do get jacked up. I'm known more for lighter stuff, obviously for comedy, but this is really very dramatic. And my character experiences a lot of violence and gets caught up in a situation where she has to fight for her life. - On making the movie Hotel California
9
Sure, they did, but they also did that to the Latin scholars across the hallway and the number-one math student who was walking down the street. In Harvard, everybody was extraordinary in the town that they came from. When you get there, nobody is more extraordinary than anyone else. - On being approached in college for being famous
10
College was my opportunity to be around my peers, which you don't get to do when you're a child actor. And I wanted to be normal and see what else was out there, see what else I was good at. And there are some other things that I'm good at. - On not falling into the child star trap
11
In music, you don't need an award. I mean in acting you don't need an award, either, but in film you do your work and then it's sent out to people in theaters all over the place and you have no idea how people feel about what you're doing. Okay, so maybe if you need to know you're doing well, you get an Oscar and you know, well, I'm entertaining people. But music, you know if you're entertaining people because they either get up and dance with you or they don't. - On Awards in show business
12
Why do I have to choose? Sure, I love to record. I love being in the studio but no. I love to sing for people. I'm making an album so I can perform my songs, you know? Shoot, I don't know why do I have to choose?
13
I'm almost done with it. I started recording it a year ago. I was really scared-even with my first album, I was really hesitant about doing it because at that time JLo hadn't come out yet and an actor turned singer seemed so corny. But while I was at school, people would stop me and be like "Are you coming out with a new album? I really liked the first one." And I was like, "Really? I wanted to." And I was writing while I was in school. I love music. So I started about a year ago. We're almost done.
14
Right now I prefer film. I like being totally immersed in a world for a few months and living some place for a while and I think this is because of music too, having been on tour with a group of people. I like the intensity of it.
15
I wanted to go to school because I had been in entertainment for so long, I wanted to socialize with people my age. I wanted to explore other fields and see what else was out there, but after sitting at my computer and being in the library you know that bug kind of. I graduated early because I wanted to get back out and do what I like to do.
16
I was very blessed to be asked to be a part of it, so subject not even having to do with it, I wanted to do it. - On making Glory Road
17
I'm doing a play, a musical. The musical follows the Mamma Mia concept. It's my first LA theater project.
18
I'm going to go to school. It doesn't matter what the outcome is as long as I did it. I can say I did it.
19
If you don't have fun with what you are doing, then it's not worth doing at all.
20
Being on Disney, a lot of young people look up to me.
21
Before high school ended, I started applying to college. It really wasn't even a choice because of the brainwashing of my parents.
22
I had short hair for a while, but I ended up loving it.
23
I even lived on campus to get the college experience. I had five roommates and I still keep in touch with them while I'm on the road.
24
It took me two weeks to decide to do the tour instead of going right back to school. An album is short-lived and college is four years.
25
When I was 18, I was at the set for my video, and I felt really responsible. I'm used to being part of an ensemble.
26
Videos are more like photography. It's not as much about trying to tell a story as it is creating images.
27
Will Smith said if I ever need some help, he was there for me.
28
I'm very, very good at time management. That's been a real big benefit.
29
I am grateful to all my family for all the support and sacrifices over the years.
30
I believe in fate, I believe in hard work, and I feel like if I just keep marching, the path will kind of appear before me. Talking about her future
31
"Working with Bill Cosby was incredible. That was the show. It was the only show that they filmed in New York, as far as I knew, at that time, and I was lucky to be a part of that" (On being on The Cosby Show (1984)).
32
"I was only eleven when we filmed the pilot. I didn't really expect anything to come out of it. I mean, the idea of a rapper being a star on a sitcom just wasn't heard of" (On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)).
33
"I never set out to be one, but I guess parents like it because I am dedicated to school. With being on Disney, a lot of young people look up to me and I'm becoming more aware of it, especially because of all the responses I get." (On being a role model)
34
"I found it challenging, but a lot like I expected. A lot of independent study. It was weird at first because I think everyone thought maybe that I thought I was some sort of diva. It took a couple weeks before anyone got the nerve to talk to me and word got around that I was normal. I used to get stopped for little interviews and starting meeting people." (On going to Harvard)
35
Believe in yourself and your talent 100% and never let anyone discourage you from following your dream.
36
I always want to entertain people and sing and dance.
37
"Will never told me he was doing this, but I think he kept distance to let me explore and really feel like it was mine - and not like someone was holding my hand." (On making her album Kiss The Sky)
38
"After that episode, I would meet people on the street and they'd ask me 'When is your album coming out?' This was before I'd even thought about pursuing a record deal" (After her singing performances on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air)
Looks like we don't have trademarks information. Sorry!
Musician Biographies Just another WordPress site
