The next main presenter for “Dancing With the Stars” is: Tyra Banks.
The long ABC series of Ballroom will undergo a fierce makeover, and will no doubt enter the “smize” game, as Banks takes over Tom Bergeron. Bergeron, who has hosted the show for 28 seasons since its 2005 U.S. debut, hosted the celebrity competition series alongside sportscaster Erin Andrews until the duo announced their departure on Twitter on Tuesday.
Banks, the supermodel-turned-entrepreneur, previously hosted and executive of her modeling competition series “America’s Next Top Model.” She also hosted “America’s Got Talent” and a daytime talk show, “The Tyra Banks Show,” and was a guest host on ABC’s “The View.” She will also serve as executive producer on “DWTS”.
“I have been a fan of ‘DWTS’ since its inception,” Banks said in a statement. “Fun was mixed with raw excitement, seeing celebrities overcome their comfort zones, incredible dance performances… it always carried me back to my days of climbing 10 notches on the catwalk.
“Tom has set a powerful stage, and I am excited to continue the legacy and become my executive producer and host.”
Banks’ announcement comes as ABC and BBC Studios plan a “creative upgrade” for the glittering ballroom competition, which has already dropped significantly since its two-night heyday in recent years.
It’s unclear how the show, which requires choreographed proximity dance routines, will work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The season 29 cast has yet to be announced and it is unknown if Banks will have a cohost.
Bergeron and Andrews, a former contestant, cordially said goodbye to the feather-filled dance show on Tuesday.
“It has been an incredible 15-year career and the most unexpected gift of my career,” Bergeron tweeted. “I am grateful for that and for my lifelong friendships.”
“I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn’t the best walking in heels,” wrote Andrews, who joined as host in 2014.
Bergeron, who also features ABC’s “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, was best known for his pranks and jokes with Andrews and the judges. It made the headlines last year when it criticized ABC for choosing former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.
“Tom has been an integral part of the ABC family for almost two decades, from the host of ‘AFV’ to ‘Dancing With the Stars’; we are grateful for all that he and Erin have done to make ‘Dancing’ a success. “said ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke.
