Alfonso Ribeiro: From 'Fresh Prince' to king of 'DWTS'

(ABC/Dancing With The Stars)


Save Story

Show 2 more videos

Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

LOS ANGELES (CNN) — Let's be honest: Was there any way Alfonso "The Carlton" Ribeiro wasn't going to win "Dancing With the Stars" this season?

During Tuesday night's finale, the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" star was crowned the king of the dance floor as he and his pro partner, Utahn Witney Carson, were awarded the mirrorball trophy.

The actor — and now dancer — was so thrilled, he was moved to tears.

"I cannot believe this," Riberio told co-host Tom Bergeron. "I've wanted it forever. ... I don't even know what to say. These are happy tears."

[This is the moment I've waited 10 years for. @witneycarson and @dancingabc thank you. One of the greatest moments ever.](https://instagram.com/p/v2yjglGE9w/) A photo posted by Alfonso Ribeiro (@therealalfonsoribeiro) on

Ribeiro has been a strong competitor and an audience favorite throughout season 19, even treating us to "The Carlton" more than once.

#TheCarlton returns! http://t.co/QDGlL6Drel — Official DWTS (@DancingABC) November 26, 2014

Yet he almost didn't get the opportunity to see it all the way through. The star injured himself during the course of the season to the point that he wasn't sure whether he'd be able to continue.

But by the start of the two-part finale on Monday, Ribeiro rallied and turned in a tap dance solo that left viewers speechless.

I've seen EVERY @DancingABC finale...and I've never seen ANYTHING like what @alfonso_ribeiro just did. Go Carlton! #dwtsfinale — Kate Coyne (@KatePeople) November 25, 2014

> sat here mouth on floor whole time. I am not sure I even breathed. [@alfonso\_ribeiro](https://twitter.com/alfonso_ribeiro) and Wit killed free style! [\#dwtsfinale](https://twitter.com/hashtag/dwtsfinale?src=hash) [\#dwtsalfonso](https://twitter.com/hashtag/dwtsalfonso?src=hash) > > — Lisa Alexander (@beeball33) [November 25, 2014](https://twitter.com/beeball33/status/537079268631932929)

> Alfonso just tapped danced on [\#dwtsfinale](https://twitter.com/hashtag/dwtsfinale?src=hash) and my life is complete. Now I need to dig out my tap shoes [\#DWTSAlfonso](https://twitter.com/hashtag/DWTSAlfonso?src=hash) > > — Gretchen Sherman (@gretchenmarie32) [November 25, 2014](https://twitter.com/gretchenmarie32/status/537079521074499584)

Despite his injuries, Ribeiro performed impeccably during Monday's episode and had the lead score going into Tuesday's finale.

Fellow competitors Janel Parrish and Sadie Robertson were right at his heels, with "Pretty Little Liars" actress Parrish going into Tuesday's finale with a score of 77 and "Duck Dynasty" star Robertson in second place with a score of 78.

The three final competitors were challenged to create a fusion dance routine with less than 24 hours to prepare. Although they all earned perfect scores for their performances on Tuesday, neither Parrish nor Robertson could overtake Ribeiro.

[Thank you so much America for giving @witneycarson and I the Mirrorball. A dream come true. Love you all.](https://instagram.com/p/v2g8MJmE47/) A photo posted by Alfonso Ribeiro (@therealalfonsoribeiro) on

"Thank you so much America for giving @witneycarson and I the Mirrorball," the actor later posted on Instagram, along with a photo of himself with Carson; his wife, Angela Unkrich; and their young son. "A dream come true. Love you all."

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2014 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

EntertainmentUtahU.S.
Breeanna Hare

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast