Tyra Banks 'excited' to be first Black female host of 'DWTS,' Tom Bergeron reacts to replacement news
Dancing With the Stars fans were shocked this week as it was announced that longtime host Tom Bergeron and co-host Erin Andrews were exiting the reality program for a creative refresh. But a familiar face will be taking over as the first solo host: Tyra Banks. Not only will the supermodel be the show’s first Black female host, but she will also serve as an executive producer.
“I am excited about hosting and executive producing,” Banks said Wednesday on Good Morning America. “Getting in there, live TV, you never know what happens on live TV!”
Banks, who was the first Black model to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, said she’s used to “firsts” in the modeling industry.
“Today’s the first time I’m hearing this first with Dancing With the Stars Black woman — I never even thought of that,” Banks explained. “I like breaking these doors down so that we don’t have any more firsts, but it’s nice to be first so that you can open that door and let so many people in after you.”
Banks promised the upcoming season will be “next level.”
“We’re doing all this crazy stuff, taking it to the next level, but still keeping the stuff America loves,” she teased. “But you need to get ready because it’s gonna be different.”
“It’s nice to be first so you can open that door and let so many people in after you.”@tyrabanks says she’s excited to be the new host of @dancingABC!
Banks will be the show's first solo host and the show's first African-American female host. https://t.co/ZGK6MpSV6Z pic.twitter.com/O7fz8BeAAs— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 15, 2020
In a statement, Banks praised her predecessor, Bergeron, as having set “a powerful stage” and said she’s excited to continue the legacy. Bergeron, 65, hosted the show since its 2005 debut. Andrews, 42, joined as a co-host in 2014. She originally competed as a contestant back in 2010.
Bergeron tweeted on Monday he was informed DWTS would continue on without him. “It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I'm grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made,” he wrote.
Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I'm grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 13, 2020
Andrews reacted on Tuesday, writing, “I will always cherish my days on that set, even if I wasn’t the best at walking in heels.”
❤️😉 pic.twitter.com/4NwkqvAnuF
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) July 14, 2020
While the sportscaster hasn’t commented on Banks’s announcement, Bergeron had a funny response.
“I guess I won’t be getting back my monogrammed towels,” he tweeted as he and Banks share the initials “T.B.”
I guess I won't be getting back my monogrammed towels 🤔😉
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 15, 2020
This won't be Banks’s first primetime role. She previously co-hosted the 12th season of America's Got Talent and was the creator and host of America's Next Top Model. Her daily talk show the Tyra Banks Show ran for five seasons.
Dancing With the Stars is slated to return this fall on ABC.
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