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Alfonso Ribeiro Is Dancing Into the Ballroom 20 Lbs. Lighter — Photos of His Weight-Loss Journey

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Sep 9, 2024 11:58 am·

By Mike Hammer

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Alfonso Ribeiro, who hosts the hit reality show Dancing With the Stars alongside Julianne Hough, has slimmed down ever since he stepped foot inside the ballroom.

The actor, also known for playing Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, first joined the dancing show as a contestant for the series’ 19th season. He and Witney Carson took home the Mirrorball Trophy when they were crowned winners on November 25, 2014.

Alfonso returned to the show as cohost alongside Tyra Banks for season 31, and he has served as the main host alongside Julianne beginning with season 32 in 2023. Closer takes a look at his weight-loss journey inside and out the ballroom.

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Young and Slim

Before he became a television star, Alfonso actually got his start on Broadway at age 8. In 1983, he played a leading role in the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid, getting nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award in the process.

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Beach Bod

In the 1990s, Alfonso rose to fame playing Carlton Banks, the cousin of Will Smith‘s character, in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired from September 1990 to May 1996. Here, he could be seen having some fun in the sun during the early days of his career.

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*NSYNC's Challenge for the Children V - Champions Celebration

Putting on the Weight

As the years went on, Alfonso packed on a few pounds, but he always remained busy. He starred on the sitcom In the House with LL Cool J from 1997 to 1999, and he also took over as host on America’s Funniest Home Videos.

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Alfonso Ribeiro, Kym Johnson and Joey Fatone

Dancing (and Slimming Down!) With the Stars

When Alfonso first joined Dancing With the Stars in 2014, he told ABC News that he lost 17 pounds. He explained, “I’m doing four, five hours at the studio, then I come home and work for three or four hours on the dances myself, just kind of get it into my body. It’s really, really, really difficult. People seem to think I’m this professional dancer and that’s so not the case. I’ve only done tap dancing before.”

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Making Changes

In 2021, as Alfonso recalled what it was like to reunite with Fresh Prince costar Will Smith, he explained how his eating habits have changed over the years. “When we shot the special, I went in his room — he had all kind of bad food in there, and my dressing room was all healthy. I was like, ‘How the tides have turned!'” he told Extra.

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Alfonso Ribeiro,Jamie Lynn Sigler and Joey Fatone

Fitness Goals

In a 2021 Facebook post, Alfonso shared that he lost 6 pounds at the time, explaining that he “gained muscle in the areas I’ve wanted, and lost an inch around my waist as I am in the early stages of achieving my personal fitness goals.” Alongside a link to a workout routine, he asked followers, “Who’s up for a fitness challenge?”

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Family Friendly Foods

The father of four — he shares daughter Sienna with his ex-wife, Robin Stapler, and his three younger kids (Alfonso Jr., Anders and Ava) with spouse Angela Unkrich — revealed that his entire family lives a “completely non-toxic” lifestyle. During an appearance on The Tamron Hall Show in October 2023, he told the host, “We don’t eat any sugar. Gluten-free, corn-free, dairy-free, oats-free—anything that makes you swollen, we typically stay away from.”

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Kitchen Hacks

In May 2024, Alfonso told Instagram followers all about some of his favorite meals, writing, “With a busy schedule and family life, saving time in the kitchen is a must. These are some of my favorite mealtime and kitchen tips and tricks.” In the comments section of his post, fans told the star they noticed a change. “You are getting SKINNY my friend!” one wrote, while another said, “You look very healthy. Very slim and trim.”

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Secret Diet

In September 2024, Alfonso opened up to Us Weekly about his secret to losing weight. “It’s called a Repair Bite Diet. It’s designed to basically shore up your gut and your stomach lining,” he explained. “The foods that you’re allowed to eat are all foods that are basically not inflammatory foods. So your body just slims down without having to do anything.” He revealed that he had lost 20 pounds, without even having to go to the gym. “Twenty pounds, one month. No gym,” he said. “That’s how you do it.”

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