The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fans are excited with the return to life by the on-screen cousins, portrayed by the popular 90s sitcom’s Will Smith and Tatyana Ali, to the classic dance scene. This online reunion, prompted by the early 2025 TikTok trend, rekindled the nostalgia for the classic show. Though the two have yet to reunite in real life, the social media interaction by the couple excited the fans and rekindled the classic moment into the limelight, to the tune of Doechii’s “Anxiety” track.
The dance we speak about is the one featured in the “Bang the Drum, Ashley” (Season 1, Episode 2) episode, which first aired on September 17, 1990. At this heartfelt moment, Will stumbles upon Ashley dancing alone in her room and joins the spontaneous, carefree dance that so perfectly summarizes the cousinly friendship. Over the years, the moment gained popularity among the fans, epitomizing the lightness of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which originally aired from 1990 to 1996.
Fast forward to 2025, and the dance is making waves again thanks to TikTok. The trend kicked off when users began recreating the scene, pairing it with Doechii’s “Anxiety,” a track that samples Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Influencer Brooke Monk’s version helped it explode, and soon, the hashtag #FreshPrinceDance racked up millions of views. The song’s infectious rhythm and relatable lyrics about anxiety struck a chord, blending seamlessly with the dance’s upbeat vibe. Billboard reported on the trend’s rapid rise, noting its appeal across generations.
Will Smith couldn’t resist joining the fun. On March 7, 2025, he posted a throwback clip of the original dance on TikTok, captioning it:
“I’ve been watching y’all and every video has been better than the last!! Love that track @Doechii. @Tatyana Ali remember this?”
The post, viewed millions of times, tagged both Tatyana Ali and Doechii, linking the past to the present. Tatyana Ali showed her enthusiasm by liking the post, signaling her delight in seeing their shared history celebrated anew.
To clarify, Will Smith and Tatyana Ali haven’t stepped onto a dance floor together in 2025. Their “reunion” is a digital one, fueled by social media.
Watch on TikTok
Will took it a step further on March 13, collaborating with Doechii in a TikTok video that used a mirror effect to lip-sync “Anxiety,” a fun nod to the trend’s momentum.
Watch on TikTok
Beyond the trend, Will Smith and Tatyana Ali share a real-life connection that adds depth to this moment. Will mentored Tatyana during her music career after the show, and they’ve reunited at events like the 2019 Aladdin premiere. Tatyana also appeared in the 2020s reboot Bel-Air, keeping her tied to the Fresh Prince legacy.
Though Will Smith and Tatyana Ali haven’t danced together in person this year, their virtual nod to the “Anxiety” trend has rekindled fans’ affection for their Fresh Prince days.
