ALFONSO RIBEIRO I've Never Been HAPPIER

The DWTS host and Fresh Prince alum opens up about his life in and out of the spotlight with Closer

- Lindsay Hoffman

As one of the co-hosts of Dancing With the Stars, Alfonso Ribeiro is having the time of his life. “Julianne Hough and I have incredible chemistry together for the show,” he tells Closer. “We really work well together. I’m truly enjoying everything I’m doing.”

Hosting the popular celebrity competition is a natural fit for Alfonso, 52, who won first place on Season 19 of the series in 2014. He began working professionally as a youngster in the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. On TV’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, his character’s adorably goofy Carlton dance became a sensation in the 1990s. Today, in addition to Dancing With the Stars, the charming performer hosts America’s Funniest Home Videos and Jack Hanna’s Passport on ABC on Saturdays.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was always interested in show business, but I loved baseball. I was a little too small to play professional baseball. I used to always say I wanted to be a doctor, too. Now, looking back, if I wasn’t going to be in show business, I think I would have been a good lawyer. I’m a pretty good debater!

What do you consider your big break?

Clearly, The Tap Dance Kid. Playing the title character in a Broadway show was a big deal. Then I got a second big break when I did the Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson in 1984. That really broke me out of the New York area and gave me some worldwide notoriety.

What was it like working with Michael Jackson on the campaign?