DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro to dance in Fresh Prince tribute
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The gist
DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro will dance with Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik in a James Avery tribute.
The Fresh Prince reunion puts the show's host on the dance floor.
Background
Alfonso Ribeiro is the host of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), ABC's celebrity dance competition, and is known for playing Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Tatyana Ali, a current DWTS contestant who played Ashley on the same sitcom, is performing a Dedication Night tribute with pro dancer Jan Ravnik. The tribute honors James Avery, the late actor who played Philip Banks (Uncle Phil) on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Dedication Night airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026On DWTS Season 35 Super Bowl Night (Week 5), Ribeiro announced that former pro dancer Kym Johnson would join the judges panel for the next week's Dedication Night episode.
- Oct 18, 2026Parade reported that Ribeiro will perform with Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik on Dedication Night.
- Oct 19, 2026Reports said Ribeiro would join Ali and Ravnik for a tribute to the late James Avery.
- Oct 20, 2026Ribeiro announced a special tribute performance to Len Goodman and stepped away from the host mic to join Ali and Ravnik on the dance floor.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Ribeiro said he is excited to dance with Ravnik for the first time and to honor the late, great James Avery.
- Party
- Ali said she and Ravnik are working hard in the studio and hopes everyone feels how much they love him.
- Caution
- Ribeiro said Dedication Night always brings out the tears, but that they are going to bring out some smiles.
Still unverified
A social media post claims Alfonso Ribeiro "finally spoke up after his surgery" and offered reassurance; the post gives no further verified detail.