Tyra Banks will host, exec-produce the new ‘Dancing With the Stars’

Tyra Banks is your new Dancing With the Stars host. ABC confirmed the news on July 14, just a day after letting go of current hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. And, not only is Banks the latest face to head up the ballroom competition, but she has also been named an executive producer.“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 in a statement. “Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.”

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 (@DancingABC) July 15, 2020

If anyone has proven they’ve got what it takes to host, it’s Banks. The 46-year-old not only owned the catwalk and that little old show known as America’s Next Top Model, but don’t forget she also had her own daytime talk show from 2005 to 2010. If that resume isn’t stacked enough, add in that she also took over hosting duties from Nick Cannon for seasons 12 and 13 of America’s Got Talent (Terry Crews replaced her in season 14).Only July 13 Bergeron, who has hosted Dancing With the Stars since its inception 15 years ago, revealed he had been let go from the show. “Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me,” he wrote on Twitter. “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?”After ABC and its partner BBC Studios confirmed the news that Bergeron and his co-host Erin Andrews would not be a part of the upcoming 29^th season, Andrews also shared a note online. “Thank you ABC and the entire Dancing With the Stars family for 6 memorable seasons,” she wrote. “Those years wouldn’t have been as special without my loving host Tom Bergeron, the talented dancers, and witty judges. I will always cherish my days on the set, even if I wasn't the best at walking in heels.”[video_embed id='1995711']WATCH: Tyra Banks is your new 'Dancing with the Stars' host[/video_embed]Andrews joined Bergeron as co-host in 2014, after placing third on the 10^th season of the show as a competitor. Previously co-hosts include Brooke Burke-Charvet, Samantha Harris, and original Bergeron co-host Lisa Canning, who left after one season.ABC entertainment president Karey Burke also addressed the hosts’ exits in a press release that welcomed Banks. “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,” she said. “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 multihyphenate whose fierce female prowess and influence across many industries have made an indelible mark. Her fresh take on America’s favourite dancing competition will surely bring more than a ‘Smize’ to fans everywhere.”On July 15 Banks appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the new gig, where the interviewer incorrectly stated Banks was the first Black female host (Canning was). She is, however, the first solo host. “Today is the first I’m hearing this of first Dancing With the Stars Black woman, I never even thought of that,” Banks said. “I like breaking those doors down so that we don’t have any more firsts but it’s nice to be first, right? So that you can open that door and let so many people in after you.”DWTS is currently scheduled to return to the fall schedules on Monday nights, but so far ABC hasn’t revealed a plan as to how it will responsibly film the show in the wake of the current coronavirus pandemic. It is also expected that the series will make several behind-the-scenes changes as it embarks on this new creative direction, but so far those plans remain under wraps. “It is going to be so next level,” Banks teased in the GMA interview. “We’re doing all this crazy stuff, taking it to the next level but still keeping the stuff that we know America loves. But you need to get ready because it’s going to be different.”For now, the only thing that seems sure about the upcoming installment other than Banks taking over hosting duties is the participation of one Canadian Bachelor star Kaitlyn Bristowe, whose dreams of finally being asked to do the show came true during a recent episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons Ever.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Cat has epic battle with persistent windshield wiper[/video_embed]