Sufia Alam
When Alfonso Ribeiro read his script during rehearsal only telling the actor “Carlton dances” and offhandedly performed it on screen for the first time broadcasting it on “Fresh Prince of Bell-Air,” little did he know his iconic few steps would be forever remembered across generations.
Born on Sept. 21 1971, Ribeiro has spent over 35 years in the entertainment industry. Currently host of television shows “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Unwrapped 2.0,” Ribeiro has integrated himself into Hollywood as an actor, show host, director and producer.When Ribeiro was 13 years old, he was cast as a dancer in a Coke commercial with his idol, Michael Jackson, making this commercial one of his most memorable moments in Hollywood.
“Working with Michael, was probably the No. 1 moment in my life,” Ribeiro said. “And to do that as a kid, I learned so many great things that helped me gain value and perspective that still helps me to this day.”
According to Ribeiro, one of his favorite characters he has ever taken on, Carlton Banks, was both a blessing and a curse at the same time for his career and identity.
“What happened with Carlton was that, ultimately, I was stereotyped,” Ribeiro said. “That character literally stopped me from doing what I loved to do because the world couldn’t see me as anyone else other than Carlton for a very long time.”
According to Ribeiro, one of his biggest adversities he has faced over his years in Hollywood has been representing a minority.
“The problem with the entertainment business is it’s one business that they can back up their idea of not giving you a job because of what you look like,” Ribeiro said. “Your race or sex or thoughts comes into account but they can back it up with ‘the guy who wrote it didn’t see it what way’.”
Ribeiro mentioned racism is still a problem for the entertainment industry because of the face there were more black actors in the 70s on television than there are black actors now.
“How is it back then when there were only four or five channels featured more black people than today in a world where we have over 200 channels,” said Ribeiro.
Another adversity Ribeiro said he and many actors deal with has been competing with reality television stars.
“If you’re constantly meeting people who play themselves, how is it possible for you to act,” Ribeiro said. “How do you play a role? How does playing a role make you a global success whereas now, being yourself marketing yourself as yourself is actually a better business than it is to be an actor. It’s kind of demeaning because they’re being themselves and we actually have talent.”
As for advice for young people who one day want to make it big in the entertainment industry, Ribeiro said be prepared for a life of rejection, poverty and difficulty.
“It is the most difficult career out there to get into,” he said. “But if you’re willing and nobody can steer you clear of your dream, then go ahead and do it. And if that’s the case, all I can tell anyone is become incredibly educated in the profession. Fully understand what you’re doing. Fully understand how to do your job and understand all of it. Because if you don’t know how your fir into the big puzzle, then you’re behind anyone that has that information.”
Sufia Alam can be reached at [email protected].
