'DWTS' Pro Emma Slater Reveals What Tyra Banks Is Like Behind the Scenes

Dancing With the Stars star Tyra Banks made quite the first impression last fall as the new solo host of the ABC competition series. In addition to receiving major props from DWTS pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, fellow competitor Emma Slater is also applauding the former America’s Next Top Model host for her hosting debut.

Speaking to Us Weekly with her husband, Sasha Farber, the Mirrorball trophy winner opened up about what it was like watching the 47-year-old model take the stage and replace longtime Dancing With the Stars cohosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. Last season, Emma was partnered up with legendary NBA player Charles Oakley.

The duo was the first to be eliminated after only two weeks in the competition. Despite having to say goodbye so early on in the show, Emma still praises Tyra for her hosting skills and even wishes they had gotten more acquainted.

"I think she did an amazing job," Emma told the outlet. "I really did. I think her personality … She’s larger than life. She’s absolutely gorgeous. I would have loved to have gotten to know her more on a personal level. Because of COVID we couldn’t, but I think she did a phenomenal job."

What’s more, Emma applauds Tyra for her professionalism during an incident that took place two weeks after her exit. Due to a technical difficulty, Tyra mistakenly declared pro partner Val and Cheer coach Monica Aldama safe from elimination. After realizing she had made an error, the host immediately called back the couple and broke the news that they had actually landed in the bottom two. In the end, Monica was officially declared safe and Tyra acknowledged the mistake on social media.

“The way that she handled that situation when there was sort of misinformation between her cue cards and the prompter, I actually thought she did a really great job with that,” Emma said to the magazine. “That was a difficult situation and not many people could have really handled that, and I think that she did it kind of seamlessly. So, kudos to her. She did a great job.”

Now, with a new DWTS season on the horizon, Emma is looking forward to getting to know Tyra better. “If I’m back, I definitely will [reach out to Banks],” she added. “We’ll be, like, knocking on Tyra’s door and be like, ‘Hey, let’s hang.’”

While the British dancer waits to hear if she’s a part of the official DWTS season 30 cast, she revealed that she’s been in touch with Tom and Erin.

“I’ve texted Tom,” Emma said. “We texted Erin a little bit beforehand, but I’ve texted Tom [for] a birthday of his [and] wished him a happy birthday. [He] says, well, ‘We’ve got to meet up.’”

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