DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro’s relationship with Will Smith in his own words
More than three decades have passed since Alfonso Ribeiro gained fame as Carlton Banks, the preppy cousin of Will Smith’s character on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” During the show’s six-year run, their on-screen bond blossomed into a genuine friendship that endured long after the cameras stopped rolling.
As Will ascended to the heights of Hollywood stardom, becoming a blockbuster movie icon, Alfonso faced the challenges of advancing his acting career, which he openly admits was a struggle. The question arises: What happened to their friendship?
When “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” concluded in 1996, Alfonso had high hopes that the show’s success would propel his acting career. However, he later revealed that portraying Carlton and becoming renowned for his iconic dance nearly derailed his future in acting. Alfonso became so closely associated with his character that he found himself typecast, an experience he described as difficult to cope with. He explained, “When you do a role like Carlton and people love the role and you perform the job so well that they essentially tell you that you can’t do it anymore because we can’t see you as anything else… It is a very difficult thing to deal with. It was like, ‘Wait a minute, but I did it well. I did my job. I did what I was asked to do. I made you believe that that’s who I am.’ That’s what any actor is supposed to do.”
Did Will Smith assist Alfonso in boosting his career?
After Alfonso shared his post-“Fresh Prince” struggles in finding work, some criticized Will for not using his fame and wealth to support his friend and co-stars. However, during an appearance on Sway In The Morning, Alfonso defended Will, offering a different perspective. He said, “Will Smith has helped me in many ways beyond what we have seen on camera. But he has supported me in ways beyond anybody could understand.”
Alfonso didn’t read Will’s memoir
While Will Smith’s memoir, “Will,” found its way onto countless bookshelves worldwide, Alfonso did not pick up a copy. The book delves into Will’s life with his long-time wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and their children, including discussing their son Jaden Smith’s request for emancipation. When asked if he planned to read his friend’s candid work, Alfonso responded, “For many, many, many years, people speculated about them as a family. They are laying it out there in a way that is their truth. I don’t know if I’ll read the book because I know the people.”
Is Alfonso Ribeiro still friends with Will Smith?
Their friendship of over three decades remains strong. Alfonso mentioned in 2018, “Will… maybe 24, 25 years. Something like that. It’s been a long time. We’ve spent many years working together, hanging together, playing together, you know, having families together. Will is just a wonderful individual, and we have such a great time whenever we’re together.”
As the 30th-anniversary special of the show approached, Alfonso addressed fan excitement about the cast reuniting, stating, “At the end of the day, I know everyone always likes to make whenever we get together a big moment. But I look at it very simply as we always get together. We constantly chat. We’re family. It’ll be interesting and fun. I think it’s going to be a great special. But for us, it was the same as how we always get together.”
Will’s most recent social media post also celebrated Alfonso on his 52nd birthday, demonstrating the enduring nature of their friendship.
