Dedication Evening on “Dancing With the Stars” is the episode that pulls on the heartstrings, and this 12 months was no totally different. It was additionally the night time that made co-host Alfonso Ribeiro probably the most “nervous.”
Through the Oct. 20 episode, Tatyana Ali honored the late James Avery. The “Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air” star and accomplice Jan Ravnik danced a Viennese waltz to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson.
Already an emotional quantity, it grew to become further heartwarming when Ali was joined by Ribeiro, who stepped in halfway and changed Ravnik.
“It was good. It was the primary time I’ve truly felt nervous. Even my entire season, I by no means felt nervous,” Ribeiro, who gained Season 19 of “DWTS,” tells TODAY.com. “However I used to be nervous as a result of I needed to be nice for her, for James Avery. It wasn’t about me.”
Ali and Ribeiro labored alongside Avery for six seasons of the sitcom from 1990 to 1996. They portrayed siblings, Ashley and Carlton Banks, whereas Avery was the ever-wise, stern, but softie dad Philip Banks. Avery died Dec. 31, 2013 on the age of 68.
For the efficiency, Ali waltzed across the ballroom flooring with Ravnik earlier than she and Ribeiro continued the routine in synchronized steps.
On the conclusion of the tribute, they held arms and a photograph of a smiling Avery appeared on the display screen. They turned to face their former TV dad, earlier than embracing.
Ribeiro says he needed to make the second nice for Ali, which meant ensuring he didn’t miss a beat.
Ser Baffo/Disney
Ser Baffo/Disney Tatyana Ali honored the late James Avery throughout Dedication Evening.
“Once I was competing on the present … if I mess up, I trigger hurt to myself … however I needed to lead Tatyana,” he says. “I needed to be the one throughout that a part of the routine the place I’m taking the place of Jan and I’m truly having to guide in that dance — a dance that I by no means did earlier than.”
Ribeiro, who gained with professional Witney Carson, says he by no means tackled the Viennese waltz. Regardless of the extra problem, he says, “It was so great to be part of that. I felt extremely honored to be requested to be part of their quantity and to characterize James Avery.”
He notes that as co-host of “DWTS,” he takes “being impartial to the entire contestants very critically.” Nevertheless, he didn’t need to cross up this chance.
“However this was particular as a result of it was James Avery. James performed my dad on three totally different sitcoms,” he says, referring to 1995’s “Within the Home” and the short-lived “Issues We Do for Love.” “It was very particular to have the ability to try this for him, and it was good to have the ability to collaborate with Jan and with Tatyana on what the story was going to be, and it was lovely.”
Chris Haston/NBCUniversal through Getty Photos
Chris Haston/NBCUniversal through Getty Photos Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks, Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks, James Avery as Philip Banks, Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks; Entrance: Will Smith as William ‘Will’ Smith. Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks.
The “America’s Funniest Residence Movies” host additionally famous that Ross Bagley, who performed Nicky Banks on “Contemporary Prince,” was in attendance that night time, as nicely.
When requested if he and Ali had heard from Avery’s household following the dedication, he says sure.
“There was a textual content chain with all of us, and mainly everybody was like, ‘Superbly stated. Superbly executed. James can be very proud,’” he shares. “So it felt good.”
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. Extra from TODAY:
