Tatyana Ali Talks "RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race" & '90s Fashion Trends
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For those of us who remember watching "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" during its original six-season run from 1990 to 1996, Tatyana Ali is an undisputed '90s fashion icon. On the show, she played Ashley Banks, the young cousin to Will Smith's character who was always spotted in a quintessential '90s ensemble like a plaid skirt paired with a cute crop top.
After the show ended, Ali enjoyed a successful music career — releasing hits like "Daydreamin'" and "Everytime" — before returning to her acting roots. She's since become somewhat of a Christmas-movie queen, starring in Hallmark and Lifetime films such as "Dear Secret Santa," "Jingle Belle," and "Christmas Everlasting."
And yet, despite her lengthy, varied repertoire, it wasn't until her recent turn as Chakra 7 on season two of "RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race" that she was able to fully tap into her artistic creativity.
"'Freeing' would be the word," Ali tells POPSUGAR. "Some things sort of unleashed in 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 was able to do things with Chakra 7 that for whatever reason, I was too timid or shy about before."
"I was able to do things with Chakra 7 that for whatever reason, I was too timid or shy about before."
During her time on the competition series, Ali's confidence "just sort of exploded" as she explored a new side of her love for performing. She originally thought that because of her experience on stage, she had a relatively solid understanding of what drag is. Being on "Drag Race" proved to be both liberating and educational.
"I realized, no, it's very different," Ali says. "I mean, the tape and the padding. [Everything gets] switched, moved around, and pushed. Eye color, contour — it's completely different. No matter what gender you are, you're going through a complete transformation."
While Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean (as Poppy Love) was crowned the season two champ, both Ali and Mark Indelicato (as Thirsty Von Trap) were runners-up, and Ali took home the Miss Congeniality title.
"I just had the time of my life on the show," Ali says. "I love the ending, when RuPaul always says, 'If you can't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else?' That's such a powerful, beautiful statement. [I loved] the opportunity to participate in that sort of ethos."
Ahead, Ali reveals the '90s fashion trends she frequently wore during her "Fresh Prince" era. Many of these styles she'd still wear today, though some might require a few updates for the 2020s.
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Future Collective With Kahlana Barfield Brown Mid-Rise Cargo Jeans
"The boyfriend jeans, I cannot buy them in a big-enough size. Kahlana Barfield Brown just did a capsule project for Target. She's a Black designer, [and] I bought all of them. And like I said, I can't buy them big enough. So yes, that trend is good."
Future Collective With Kahlana Barfield Brown Mid-Rise Cargo Jeans ($42)
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Skims Soft Lounge Long Slip Dress
"I like slip dresses, especially with a turtleneck or something underneath. I'm glad they came back."
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Madewell Slub Flannel Sunday Shirt in Plaid
"Flannel works on some people. It's not the best look on me. But oh my god, that is so '90s. It's like grunge. It's like Seattle. Or Portland, like in 'Portlandia.' I used to wear them around my waist. That was a look. Now at my age, if I wear something around my waist, I need much more coverage than that."
Madewell Slub Flannel Sunday Shirt in Plaid ($75, originally $90)
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Cotton Mask by Jewel Bananas Shaker Scrunchie
"Girl, I have a scrunchie in the other room. I have a white scrunchie with, like, bananas all over it. I'm also into scrunchies because curly hair is kind of making a comeback, too, and scrunchies are really good for naturally curly hair. Because you wear your hair wet for a while, you put it in a scrunchie up high, and then late morning, early afternoon, you take it out, and your curly hair is dry."
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Gap '90s Loose Overalls
"I love overalls. I never left the '90s. I love all of this. I love overalls. And once again, goodbye, skinny overalls. Goodbye. I'm happy you're done. You'll come back some other time. But I'm glad you're not here now."
Gap '90s Loose Overalls ($90)
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