Will Smith and Tatyana Ali from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – reunited to recreate their iconic dance scene, now set to Doechii’s viral track Anxiety.
The result? A TikTok sensation that’s blending 90s charm with modern internet magic.
THE FRESH PRINCE DANCE CHALLENGE
The original scene, from the show’s 1990 pilot, showed Will Smith sneaking into Ashley’s room to mimic her Walkman-fuelled dance, according to People.
Fast-forward 35 years, and the clip resurfaced as a TikTok trend. Will Smith, 56, couldn’t resist joining in: “Waited 35 years for this dance to trend,” he captioned his video.
Ali, 46, donned headphones once more – this time dancing solo in an airport before teaming up with Smith.
“Who else is forcing everyone to do this dance with them?” Doechii, 26, quipped in her clip.
DOECHII’S ANXIETY
Doechii’s Anxiety samples Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know and has surged to over 22 million Spotify streams since the dance blew up.
Born Jaylah Hickmon in Tampa, Florida, she began crafting her genre-blending sound. She mixes hip-hop, R&B, and experimental production.
This is all while releasing independent tracks on SoundCloud as early as 2016.
CREATIVITY AND DRIVE
Her breakthrough arrived in 2020 with Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, a viral TikTok hit that showcased her quirky lyricism and bold delivery, according to Billboard.
Doechii’s meteoric rise from underground sensation to Grammy-winning rapper is a testament to her fearless creativity and relentless drive.
TikTok creators like Brooke Monk helped it explode, with the hashtag #FreshPrince Dance racking up millions of views.
Psychologist N Feliciano notes the trend’s unexpected upside. “Dancing shifts your brain’s focus. Feeling anxious while moving is nearly impossible”.
INTERNET FUN WITH THE FRESH PRINCE
For South Africans battling stress, the trend offers a lighthearted escape – and proof that even celebrities embrace silly moments. While the trend’s global, its themes of family and nostalgia resonate locally.
“It’s a reminder that pop culture bridges generations,” says Cape Town-based TikTok creator Thembi Mthembu.
“Who didn’t grow up watching Fresh Prince? Now we’re seeing it through new eyes.”
Smith and Ali’s real-life bond adds depth. After the show, Smith mentored Ali’s music career, and they’ve reunited at events like the 2019 Aladdin premiere, according to RollingStones.
WILL SMITH’S ‘BASED ON A TRUE STORY’
Though they haven’t danced together in person this year, their virtual collaboration sparked joy. It triggered a flood of comments from stars like Kerry Washington.
As Will Smith gears up for his 28 March album Based on a True Story, this trend proves old-school moments can thrive in the digital age.
DO YOU PREFER THE ORIGINAL FRESH PRINCE OR THE REIMAGINED BEL-AIR SERIES? WHY?
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