Despite the rampant rumors, Tyra Banks will return as host and an executive producer of Dancing with the Stars when it premiers this September on Disney+ streaming. However, she will be sharing hosting duties with former DWTS winner, Alfonso Ribeiro.
The DWTS judges panel remains unchanged
Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough also resume their seats on the panel. The season 31 premiere date on Disney+ will be announced at a later date. (However, it’s rumored to be September 19).
“I’m super excited,” Alfonso, who took home the Mirrorball Trophy in 2014 with pro dancer Witney Carson, told People magazine ahead of the announcement. “For me to be asked now to co-host with Tyra, and be part of the great crew and dancers and friends … to be able to be on stage with them and to be part of that family again, is quite special for me. I mean, these dancers are friends of mine at this point now. We really do all hang out together, and talk outside of that show.”
“My goal is to bring back a sense of the happy and the fun, and the family atmosphere, that this show has always felt like for me,” he added. “I want to become friends with all of the contestants this year, and allow myself to kind of be able to really just sit and talk with them. And after their dance, I want to get honest, and true feelings from them and make people laugh and make people smile again. I feel like sometimes it gets a little serious and while it needs to be that also, it also needs to be light and fun and cheery.”
Tyra and Alfonso have been friends for years
People points out that Tyra guest starred on Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the 90s sitcom that gave Alfonso his start.
“Dancing with the Stars has been such an important part of my life for so many years, and I am ecstatic to officially re-join this tight-knit family as co-host,” said Alfonso in a press statement. “Tyra and I have a longstanding friendship that I hope will resonate with all of the fans at home as we kick off this new season on Disney+.”
“I’ve known Alfonso since I was 19 years old and he always puts a smile on my face whenever I see him,” said Tyra. “Having such a fun-loving, longtime friend as co-host warms my heart. Plus, he’s won the competition before, so he knows exactly what the stars are going through. Bantering back and forth with him live is going to be so much fun!”
DWTS has undergone many shakeups
Alfonso is currently the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos on ABC. It’s a job that former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron had before him. Once again, Alfonso follows in Tom’s footsteps.
Additionally, with the addition of Alfonso, Dancing with the Stars goes back to the two host format. Both Tom and Erin Andrews were fired in 2020 to make way for Tyra as a solo host. Unfortunately the former model was not up to the task, making on-air blunders during the live shows. Disney replaced the EP who hired her, Andrew Llinares, with former EP, Conrad Green.
When Disney made the game-changing decision to move the show from ABC to streaming only on Disney+, they renewed the series for season 31 and season 32.
