Tyra Banks in, Tom Bergeron out as ‘Dancing With the Stars’ host
“Dancing With the Stars’†next top host is: Tyra Banks.
ABC’s long-running ballroom series will undergo a fierce makeover — and undoubtedly get in the “smize†game — as Banks takes over for Tom Bergeron. Bergeron, who has hosted the show for 28 seasons since its U.S. debut in 2005, emceed the celebrity competition series alongside sports commentator Erin Andrews until the duo announced their departure Tuesday on Twitter.
Banks, the supermodel-turned-entrepreneur, previously hosted and executive produced her signature modeling competition series “America’s Next Top Model.†She’s also hosted “America’s Got Talent†and a daytime talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show,†and served as a guest host on ABC’s “The View.†She’ll serve as an executive producer on “DWTS†too.
“I’ve been a fan of ‘DWTS’ since its beginning,†Banks said in a statement. “The fun mixed with raw emotion, seeing celebrities push past their comfort zones, the sizzling dance performances ... it’s always transported me to my days of turning it up 10 notches on the catwalk.
“Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.â€
If anyone could rival the number of careers Barbie has taken on through the years, it might be Tyra Banks.
Banks’ announcement comes as ABC and BBC Studios plan a “creative refresh†for the glittery ballroom competition, which has already significantly downsized since its two-night heyday of the late aughts.
It’s unclear how the show, which requires close-proximity choreographed dance routines, will operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Season 29 cast hasn’t been announced yet and there’s no word on whether Banks will have a cohost.
Bergeron and Andrews, a former contestant, cordially bid farewell to the feather-filled dance show on Tuesday.
“It’s been an incredible 15-year run and the most unexpected gift of my career,†Bergeron tweeted. “I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made.â€
“I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn’t the best at walking in heels,†wrote Andrews, who joined as host in 2014.
Bergeron, who also hosted ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos,†was best known for his dad-jokes and on-the-nose banter with Andrews and the judges. He made headlines last year when he criticized ABC for casting former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.
“Tom has been an integral part of the ABC family for nearly two decades, from hosting ‘AFV’ to ‘Dancing With the Stars’ — we are grateful for all he and Erin have done to make ‘Dancing’ a success,†said ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke.
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