Tatyana Ali can give herself a pat on the back. She is one of a few child stars who grew up in Hollywood and managed to keep a “no drama lifestyle” as she made the transition to adulthood. With more life experiences under her belt, Ali is immersing herself back into the industry that she loves. She has a new show, album, and web series, so let’s get caught up with Tatyana Ali.

Her first acting gig was a Tylenol commercial at age four before she became a regular on “Sesame Street” in 1985 and made several appearances on Star Search following that. Fans know her best as the cute, adorable Ashley Banks on the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” from 1990 to 1996. Ali admits that she did not have a crush on the sexy Will Smith who played her cousin on the show. “It would have been just too weird. I think that would be like having a crush on your brother.” Since she played Ashley for over 100, episodes some fans can only think of her as Ashley. Ali said, “I try not to fight against it. I try more to grow from it because that was a good moment in my life and my career. I don’t necessarily want people to forget about it. I would like them to see all of the other new things that I am doing and all the ways that I have grown.”

As she was growing up on the show, she was demonstrating how talented an actress she is and giving America a peak at her other talent, singing. Her debut album “Kiss the Sky” was released in 1998 and it did extremely well. Now her second album “The Light” will be released in the spring of this year. This is an extra special project for Ali as she was the last artist to work with famed producer Johnny J on this album. Johnny J, best known for his work with rapper Tupac Shakur, died in October 2008 after he reportedly jumped from an upper level at the Los Angeles County Jail. “It has been a really difficult year long process of getting the music and the songs to where they would have been if he were still here,” said Ali. Since his death the song entitled “Gloria” has become a sort of uplifting tribute to the producer. “He actually did some of the background vocals on it so his voice can be heard on the record,” said a solemn Ali.

Moving back to her acting ability, Ali is showing her skills on three projects. She can be seen on the small screen as Roxanne on CBS’ “The Young and The Restless.” Recently nominated for a 2010 NAACP award, Ali’s character is the girlfriend of another character, Devon Hamilton. On the computer screen she can be seen as Quinci Allen in the web series “Buppies.” Ali stars in this coming of age story about five friends trying to find their place in the world. “People will relate to the show because they will see themselves in the characters,” said Ali about “Buppies,” the first original web series with an all African American cast. The shows are generally about 5 minutes or less and always end with a cliffhanger that leaves viewers anxiously awaiting the next show. Almost instantly the audience gets wrapped up in the characters. She co-produced this project with her younger sister, Anastasia Ali, through their company HazraH Entertainment. “Buppies” airs every Tuesday at Buppies. Bet.com. Ali and her sister make her other acting project a family affair since her sister is one of the producers of her new television show “Love That Girl” that is executively produced by Martin Lawrence. In the show that premiered on January 19, 2010 on TV One, Ali plays Tyana Jones, a recent divorcee who is trying to maneuver life on her own for the very first time. “What I like about it is that it is edgy but is still a family show,” said Ali. Based on the ratings of the three-night premiere “Love That Girl” could possibly be picked up by the network for more episodes. “Love That Girl” is unique in that the creator of the show, Bentley Kyle Evans, did the opposite of what is usually done for new shows by financing it, taping it and then bringing the show to the networks for a possible pick up. It is usually done in the opposite way. This model peaked Ali’s desire to be in the show since it is the way that her web series “Buppies” was picked up by BET.

Ali has developed into a well rounded, career oriented young lady on the move. Now that readers have caught up with what she is doing, catch up on one of her many projects. Stay caught up through her website www.tatyanaalionline.com