Tatyana Ali Sought Permission from James Avery's Widow Before DWTS Tribute

Tatyana Ali emphasized the importance of obtaining permission from James Avery's widow, Barbara, before dedicating a performance to the late "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" star on "Dancing With the Stars." Ali stated she would not have proceeded with the tribute without Barbara Avery's explicit approval and knowledge of their plans.

Ali, along with her professional dance partner Jan Ravnik, performed a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson's "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am." Ali provided the vocals for the rendition, which also featured her "DWTS" co-host and on-screen brother, Alfonso Ribeiro. Avery, who portrayed Uncle Phil on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," passed away in 2013 due to complications following open-heart surgery.

"His widow, Barbara, she was very open to it, but I had to talk to her first before," Ali told Us Weekly. "I wouldn’t have done it without her. Not just her approval, but also her knowing exactly what we had planned." Ali added that she hopes Barbara Avery was pleased with the tribute.

"I got to perform. I got to sing. I got to really make it personal — a personal tribute to James. I’m just glad they said yes when I asked if I could," she said.

Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks on the sitcom, spoke about Avery's significance. "James was the most lovable, charismatic, intelligent person, and he was a very important part of our lives," Ribeiro said before the performance. "So to be part of this routine for Tatyana is a blessing for my life."

Ali, who played Ashley Banks, reflected on Avery's impact on her career. "He was very much a father figure for all of us," she said. "He taught me that what you do can be more than just a job — it can be how you contribute, how you share, as an artist and as a performer."

The tribute dance received a score of 32 out of 40 from the "DWTS" judges. New episodes of "DWTS" air Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.