On Monday (July 13), Dancing with the Stars announced it was parting ways with its hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews:
“Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family,” ABC and BBC Studios said in a statement to Variety. “As we embark on a new creative direction, he departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success. Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom. Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show.”
Bergeron hosted the show from its inception in 2005, and appeared on nearly 450 episodes. Andrews, who was first a contestant on Season 10 of the show (and placed third), began co-hosting with Bergeron in 2014.
Both Bergeron and Andrews took to social media to address their departures from DWTS.
“It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career,” Bergeron said.
“I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn’t the best at walking in heels,” Andrews wrote.
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It wasn’t long before DWTS named Bergeron and Andrews’ replacement. On Tuesday (July 14), DWTS announced Tyra Banks will be its new host.
Banks has a wealth of previous hosting experience under her belt. She hosts, created, and executive produces America’s Next Top Model, was the host of The Tyra Banks Show from 2005-2010, and hosted America’s Got Talent for two seasons between 2017-2018.
Now, Banks is looking forward to stepping into the ballroom to host the upcoming 29th season of DWTS.
“I’ve been a fan of ‘DWTS’ since its beginning…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,” Banks said, as quoted by Variety. The publication states Banks has also singed on as executive producer for the new season.
DWTS addressed Banks’ addition to the show in a post on social media.
“Please join us in welcoming @tyrabanks as #DWTS host,” read the show’s post. “Thank you to @Tom_Bergeron and @ErinAndrews for so many seasons of glitz, glamour, and good times!“
Please join us in welcoming @tyrabanks as #DWTS host. Thank you to @Tom_Bergeron and @ErinAndrews for so many seasons of glitz, glamour, and good times! pic.twitter.com/onh91cRgZC
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) July 15, 2020
You can hear Banks talk more about her new role as the host of DWTS by watching the below interview with Good Morning America.