ABC 'Dancing With the Stars' 2014 Cast: DWTS Season 19 Star Alfonso Ribeiro Says Playing Carlton Hurt His Acting Career
Alfonso Ribeiro and partner Witney Carson won over viewers and judges on Monday's episode of "Dancing With the Stars," but another 90s star -- this one from a boy band - was already a fan of the actor formerly known as Carlton.
Ribeiro is best known for co-starring with Will Smith as Carlton Banks in the long running NBC series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Fans have been waiting for him to do "The Carlton" dance during his routine since the season started.
"I'm so glad that you made us wait for The Carlton," judge Julianne Hough said. "Not only did you separate yourself from Carlton tonight, because we all wanted it, we all loved it, I think this show and what you're doing each week, people are going to remember Alfonso."
"Carlton was someone I had a blast playing for six years," Ribeiro told ABC News.
Although Ribeiro loves the character, the 43-year-old admitted that playing the popular role for so long hurt his acting career.
"I was pigeon-holed as an actor based on that character," he said. "There were years when casting directors wouldn't call me because they felt like, 'Oh, well, he's Carlton, and that's not right for this role.'"
Now, however, Ribeiro loves the character and dance that brought joy to fans for over 100 episodes.
"I love the Carlton dance," he said. "I love how it makes people feel. I certainly don't do it a lot, but I love the fact that people have this nostalgic look at that dance."
This is great news for former *NSYNC member and former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Joey Fatone, who is a fan of Ribeiro according to Us Weekly.
"He's been hanging out backstage constantly all season and still just loves the show," an unnamed source said. "Also, he was a groomsman in Alfonso Ribeiro's wedding. So they're really good friends, and he's cheering him on."
Fatone will reportedly make a guest appearance on "Dancing With the Stars" this season to sing with the Ray Chew band and "be featured as the lead singer in Jonathan & Peta's Jitterbug to 'Rock This Town' by The Stray Cats," according to the source.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.
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