Soon after ABC announced that Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were being removed from their hosting duties on Dancing With the Stars, it was soon revealed that supermodel and former host of America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks, would now be hosting and executive producing Dancing With the Stars. The move was made by ABC to refresh the format of the series which has been on air since 2005.
Banks will host season 29, which is set to air later this fall, as long as the network can figure out how to make it work due to the COVID-19 production shutdown. Banks will also executive produce the show, which is produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm, alongside Andrew Llinares. Banks had this to say about her new gig:
“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. Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.”
A lot of fans of the dancing series were rubbed the wrong way by ABC deciding to cut ties with Bergeron and Andrews. Bergeron had been with the show since 2005 and Erin Andrews joined in 2015 after being a contestant on the show. When their departures were announced and Banks was called in as a replacement, Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment, had this to say about the decision:
“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. As we gear up for the show’s 29th season, we can’t wait to welcome Tyra Banks to our Dancing stage. Tyra is an award-winning multi-hyphenate whose fierce female prowess and influence across many industries have made an indelible mark. Her fresh take on America’s favorite dancing competition will surely bring more than a ‘Smize’ to fans everywhere.”
