Will Smith is not just embracing his Fresh Prince roots—he’s stepping right into the viral spotlight once again. This time, the legendary actor is bringing back one of the show’s most memorable dance moments, thanks to TikTok’s latest trend.
On March 14, Will Smith shared a TikTok video of himself and his former co-star, Tatyana Ali, grooving to the Anxiety dance challenge, a trend set to Doechii’s hit song “Anxiety.” The challenge pays homage to a beloved scene from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where Ali’s character, Ashley, dances in her room with headphones on, oblivious to Smith’s Will sneaking in behind her and copying her moves.
In Will Smith’s version of the challenge, he and Ali, fully equipped with headphones, immediately jump into the dance. Just when fans thought the nostalgic moment couldn’t get any better, Doechii herself surprises everyone by joining the duo, dancing her way into the scene. Smith, 56, captioned the post with a playful nod to the long wait for the moment to trend: “Waited 35 years for this dance to trend.”
The viral dance challenge has been taking over TikTok since February, and Will Smith has been keeping a close watch on its rise. On March 5, he posted the original Fresh Prince clip that started it all, writing, “I’ve been watching y’all and every video has been better than the last!! Love that track @Doechii. @Tatyana Ali remember this?”
Doechii, 26, has also been fully engaged in the fun, posting a video of herself doing the dance with the caption, “Who else is forcing everyone to do this dance with them?” Meanwhile, Tatyana Ali, 46, took the challenge to new heights, sharing a solo version of the dance while waiting at an airport.
The original scene hails from the Fresh Prince pilot episode, which aired on September 10, 1990. In it, Ashley joyfully dances with a Walkman she secretly borrowed from Will, revealing that her father, Uncle Phil (played by the late James Avery), won’t allow her to have one to control what music she listens to. While the actual song Ashley was dancing to was never revealed, the moment became a defining cousin-bonding scene that fans have cherished for decades.
Will Smith’s impact on pop culture remains undeniable. This is far from the first time The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has sparked a dance craze. Smith, always one to engage with fans and celebrate his past work, continues to breathe new life into the show’s legacy. Whether it’s through dance trends, viral moments, or heartfelt nostalgia, Will Smith ensures that The Fresh Prince will never go out of style.