Alfonso Ribeiro Withdrawing from DANCING WITH THE STARS Due to Back Injury?

TV Guide reports that DANCING WITH THE STARS contestant Alfonso Ribeiro, considered a frontrunner in this year's competition, may not be able to perform in Monday night's semifinal round.

Ribeiro's rep said in a statement to TVGuide.com: "We can confirm Alfonso was injured during rehearsal. He is currently under medical evaluation. It has not been determined whether or not he will be able to perform on Monday."

According to TMZ, which first revealed the news, the 'Fresh Prince' star injured his back by overcompensating for a groin injury which has been nagging him throughout the competition. The site reports that the back injury is so painful, the actor is having difficulty walking and missed yesterday's rehearsal in order to have an MRI done. As of now, the Broadway vet is observing his partner Witney Carson rehearse their routine with a stand-in.

In a recent interview with TVGuide.com, Ribeiro shared his disappointment at how quickly his body has failed him over the last few weeks. "There's three weeks left. There's three shows left. I've got two and a half weeks of dealing with this pain, and thenI will absolutely have time to let this thing rest and recover," Ribeiro said. "It'll be really nice once that happens, but hopefully I can stay on the show all the way to the end and make it to the final, and deliver a hopefully amazing performance on the finale."

Stay tuned as details unfold!

Starting his acting career at the age of eight, Ribeiro landed his first starring role in the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid, whereupon he was signed to famed music label Island Records. He became an overnight sensation, enamoring the likes of director Bob Geraldi, choreographer Michael Peters and "The King of Pop" Michael Jackson(who enlisted Alfonso in the infamous Pepsi commercial). After taking time to attend Cal State University, Los Angeles where he earned a Theater Arts education, Alfonso was offered a role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Alfonso played the memorable character of Carlton Banks, opposite his friend, Will Smith. Following six years on the popular series Fresh Prince, he was then approached by Quincy Jones to appear with L.L.Cool J in the NBC/UPN series In the House. Both can still be seen in syndication.

Photo courtesy of ABC

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