The Fresh Prince star is dedicating her waltz to the late James Avery. Julia Stiles honors Heath Ledger, and Jenna Dewan dances with Alan Bersten while Val Chmerkovskiy sits out.
Grab the tissues. Tuesday is Dedication Night on Dancing with the Stars, and one tribute comes with a very familiar face in the room.
Tatyana Ali is dedicating her Viennese waltz to James Avery, who played her dad, Uncle Phil, on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She revealed it Thursday on the show’s official podcast, EntertainmentNow reported.
The show’s host, Alfonso Ribeiro, played her big brother Carlton on that same sitcom. So yes, this one could get emotional on both sides of the camera.
Here’s Ali and pro partner Jan Ravnik’s salsa from last week, from Dancing with the Stars:
When is Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night?
Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It airs live on ABC and Disney+, and it’s on Hulu the next day, Deseret News reported.
Ten couples are left. Each celebrity is dancing for someone, or someplace, that shaped their life. Like last year, family and friends will join the stars on the dance floor, People reported.
Former pro Kym Johnson joins the judges’ table as a guest judge.
Why is Tatyana Ali dedicating her dance to James Avery?
Because he taught her how to be an artist, she said. Ali and Ravnik will dance to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson.
Ali wrote on Instagram that “everything I believe about being an artist, was learned at his feet,” EntertainmentNow reported. “I loved him very much,” she added.
Avery loved jazz and Wilson, which makes the song choice extra meaningful. He died Dec. 31, 2013, at 68.
Usually, the person being honored joins the celebrity on the floor. Ali told podcast host Andy Richter that fans will have to wait and see who joins her. Plenty of fans are hoping it’s Ribeiro.
Who is everyone else dancing for on Dedication Night?
Here’s the rest of the lineup, per Disney and People.
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: contemporary to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, for her 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson: foxtrot to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, for his wife, Shelby.
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: quickstep to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, for his mom, Laura.
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess: contemporary to “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran, for mothers everywhere.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: paso doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys, for Ireland.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: contemporary to “Breathe Me” by Sia, for her sister, Brooke.
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: contemporary to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia, for his mom, Bahar.
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: Viennese waltz to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, for his dad, Pete.
Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten: Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, for her mom, Nancy.
Why isn’t Val Chmerkovskiy dancing with Jenna Dewan?
He’s suspended for this week. BBC Studios, which produces the show, benched him on Saturday, Oct. 17, over a deleted TikTok post about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Many read it as a nod to the 2022 Oscars slap.
“Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show,” the statement said, as reported by Parade.
Alan Bersten is stepping in. The routine stays the same, and Dewan called “Unchained Melody” the “greatest most romantic song ever” in a rehearsal clip, Parade said.
Chmerkovskiy apologized again and asked fans to show support. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night,” he wrote, E! Online reported. “I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
How do you vote on Dancing with the Stars?
Voting is open during the live show in the Eastern and Central time zones, online at dwtsvote.abc.com or by text on participating U.S. carriers.
Votes are combined with the judges’ scores to decide who’s in danger.
What’s next for Dancing with the Stars season 35?
Last week, fan favorite Guillermo Rodriguez of Jimmy Kimmel Live! went home with partner Witney Carson, Deseret News reported. Dewan and Chmerkovskiy earned the season’s first straight nines that night.
Still to come, according to People:
Oct. 27: Horror Movie Night
Nov. 3: Disney Night
Nov. 10: Grammy Night
Nov. 17: Semifinals
Nov. 24: Finale
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
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Hat Tips:
What’s On Disney Plus, Roger Palmer (Oct. 16, 2026), the episode details, songs and voting rules
People (Oct. 14, 2026), the dedications and remaining theme nights
EntertainmentNow, Marika Kazimierska (Oct. 16, 2026), Tatyana Ali’s dedication
Parade, Grace Galante (Oct. 18, 2026), the suspension statement and rehearsal clip
E! Online (Oct. 19, 2026), Chmerkovskiy’s message
Deseret News, Caitlin Keith (Oct. 14, 2026), the Super Bowl Night results
Dancing with the Stars on YouTube (Oct. 13, 2026), the salsa video
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.