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For those of us who remember watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” during the first six seasons from 1990 to 1996, tatiana ali It’s indisputable 90’s fashion Icon. On the show, she plays Ashley Banks, the young cousin of Will Smithhis character, who is always noticeable in quintessential 90s outfits like plaid skirts paired with cute crop tops.
After the show ended, Ali enjoyed a successful music career — releasing hits like “Daydreamin'” and “Everytime” — before returning to her acting career. Since then, she’s become somewhat of a Christmas movie queen, starring in Hallmark and Lifetime movies like “Dear Secret Santa,” “Jingle Belle” and “Christmas Everlasting.”
And yet, despite her long and varied repertoire, it was only recently that she chakra 7 in the second season of “RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race” that she was able to tap into her full artistic potential.
“‘Liberation’ would be the word,” Ali told POPSUGAR. “Some things came out of me as an artist. I’ve been performing since I was a little girl – people have known my name since I was a little girl – and I’ve been able to do things that with Chakra 7 for whatever reason, I was too timid or shy before.”
“I was able to do things with Chakra 7 that, for some reason, I was too shy or timid before.”
During her time in the competition series, Ali’s confidence “almost exploded” as she discovered a new side of her love of performing. She initially thought that because of her experience on stage, she had a relatively solid understanding of what drag is. Participating in the “Drag Race” proved to be both liberating and educational.
“I realized, no, it’s very different,” Ali said. “I mean, bandages and cushions. [Everything gets] switch, move around, and push. Eye color, contour – completely different. Regardless of your gender, you are going through a complete transformation.”
While Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean (as Poppy Love) won season two, both Ali and Mark Indelicato (as Thirsty Von Trap) were runners-up and Ali took home the title of Miss Friendly.
Ali said: “I just had the time of my life on the show. “I love the ending, where RuPaul always says, ‘If you can’t love yourself, how the hell can you love someone else?’ It’s a beautiful, powerful statement. [I loved] opportunity to participate in that kind of ethos.”
Ahead, Ali revealed the 90s fashion trends she used to wear during her “Fresh Prince” days. Many of these styles she still wear today, although some may need a few updates for the 2020s.
