Alfonso Ribeiro, best known for his iconic role as Carlton Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” recently opened up about why he refuses to watch episodes of the beloved show. Despite the laughter and joy the series brought to millions, for Ribeiro, revisiting those moments is a painful experience. Ribeiro’s portrayal of Carlton Banks, the preppy and lovable cousin of Will Smith’s character, became a cultural phenomenon. The “Carlton Dance” is still celebrated and mimicked by fans worldwide. However, the role that brought him fame also came with significant personal and professional challenges. In interviews, Ribeiro has candidly discussed how playing Carlton was both a blessing and a curse. While it catapulted him to stardom, it also typecast him, making it difficult for him to find diverse acting roles afterward. “Playing Carlton on Fresh Prince became a sacrifice,” Ribeiro shared. "It was one of the greatest roles that I ever was fortunate enough to play. But it was also the role that stopped me from acting again because people couldn’t see me as anything else". Beyond the professional hurdles, Ribeiro has also spoken about the emotional toll of watching the show. The memories of the time spent on set, the camaraderie with the

cast, and the personal sacrifices he made are all too poignant. “Before every show, we would go into Will Smith’s dressing room, and we’d play music and dance and just have a great energy buildup to get ready for the show. Those are some great memories of just being together,” he reminisced. However, these memories are bittersweet. The end of the show marked the beginning of a challenging period in Ribeiro’s career, where he struggled to break free from the shadow of Carlton Banks. This struggle makes it difficult for him to watch the episodes without feeling a sense of loss and frustration. Despite these challenges, Ribeiro has found success in other areas. He has become a beloved host on shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and "America’s Funniest Home Videos". His charisma and talent have allowed him to reinvent himself, even if acting roles have been scarce. Ribeiro’s story is a powerful reminder of the complexities behind the characters we love. While fans may see only the joy and humor, the actors behind these roles often carry a much heavier burden. For Alfonso Ribeiro, the legacy of Carlton Banks is a double edged sword…one that he continues to navigate with grace and resilience.