Tyra Banks says she was “shocked” when requested to host “Dancing With the Stars,” again Monday for its twenty ninth season on ABC.
“I by no means thought I might get that inquiry,” Banks, 46, tells The Post. “I used to be in all probability simply as shocked as you had been. It took me some time to wrap my head round it. After a couple of month I consulted with my mother and mentioned, ‘What do you suppose?’ She thought I used to be ridiculous. She was like, ‘Why are you taking so lengthy to get again to them? Of course you must do it. It’s one of many greatest exhibits on TV. It’s a part of Americana.’ ”
Banks replaces Tom Bergeron, the show’s authentic host, who was dismissed in July after 15 years on the “DWTS” ballroom ground. ABC mentioned it wished to “embark on a brand new course”; Bergeron’s co-host, Erin Andrews, was also let go.
“I’m 46, and all of the analysis on me is that my predominant viewers is 10 to twenty years youthful than me, and that 25-35 demographic is essential to the show,” says Banks, who’s additionally an government producer. “I’m linked to TikTook with my motivation initiative and I’m studying about what resonates with the youthful era … and the way we will convey that era to watching ‘Dancing With the Stars’ — methods to get them to look at with their mothers, aunties and grandparents.”
Banks says she’s not daunted by changing Bergeron on the still-solid ABC warhorse — notably along with her on-camera expertise creating and internet hosting “America’s Next Top Model,” her daytime discuss show “Tyra” (2005-2010) and on “America’s Got Talent” (she changed Nick Cannon for 2 seasons.)
“I have a tendency to not get nervous about internet hosting,” she says. “To be trustworthy, I’m nervous when I’ve to behave and keep in mind traces. I wish to be certain that I can convey one thing totally different and particular and distinctive [to ‘DWTS’] … one thing that may add some pixie mud and are available at it from a unique viewpoint — and that’s what my preliminary hesitation was about.
“I by no means wish to be a ‘host-for-hire,’ ” she says. “Tom Bergeron was like an empire together with his model and his comedic timing. What can I do so as to add to one thing that was so genius? My mother and me are sitting down and speaking about all of the totally different parts I can convey to the show. I’ll be high-quality; that doesn’t imply I received’t make errors or learn the Teleprompter backwards, however stay TV is about mess-ups and errors and calling them out after they occur.
“I believe that’s vital.”
This season’s celebrity hoofers include Carole Baskin of “Tiger King” renown, rapper Nelly, “One Day at a Time” star Justina Machado and actress Anne Heche.
The show will look a bit totally different as a result of COVID protocols. Banks and the dancing companions can be on the show’s ballroom set however can be socially distanced; married dancer {couples} will stay individually through the season to restrict contact with different forged members. Meanwhile, “DTWS” vet Derek Hough joins Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli on the choose’s desk with Len Goodman, who’s in London and unable to journey to the US, contributing remotely.
“The coordination could be a little difficult, even when among the COVID protcols are intense,” Banks says. “But it’s an excellent form of optimistic problem.”
Source: nypost.com