Turning the ballroom into a runway! Tyra Banks had big shoes to fill after replacing Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as the host of Dancing With the Stars in 2020 — and she took every trial and tribulation in stride.
ABC shocked viewers when it announced in July 2020 that Bergeron and Andrews would no longer appear on the dance competition. The former America’s Funniest Home Videos host had been on the show since season 1 in 2005, and the sportscaster joined him nine years later after competing on season 10. Two days after the news broke, the network revealed that Banks had been tapped to take over for season 29.
“Tyra is an award-winning multihyphenate whose fierce female prowess and influence across many industries have made an indelible mark,” ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke said in a statement at the time. “Her fresh take on America’s favorite dancing competition will surely bring more than a ‘smize’ to fans everywhere.”
While Banks was no stranger to reality TV, having previously hosted shows including America’s Next Top Model and America’s Got Talent, it took her a few weeks to settle into her new role.
“Tonight I hosted the second episode of Dancing With the Stars that I’m hosting this season, and it wasn’t perfect,” she admitted in a September 2020 TikTok video. “Yeah, I had a lot of fun, but I messed up, I said the wrong words. But the thing is, I kept, kept going.”
The model had another snafu the following month when she announced the wrong bottom two couples due to an issue in the control room. After taking a second to figure out what went wrong, she composed herself like a consummate professional and proceeded to read the correct results.
“I think Tyra dealt with it amazingly,” DWTS executive producer Andrew Llinares later told Entertainment Tonight. “I just want to be really clear, this was not Tyra’s fault. It was a behind-the-scenes issue.”
Bruno Tonioli, who has served as a judge on the show since its inception, also rushed to Banks’ defense, telling the outlet, “It’s live television, things like this happen, especially with information coming in from all over the country, voting and calculating in such a small amount of time. Tyra was brilliant. … She was really good because she took control of the situation.”
Scroll down to revisit Banks’ quotes about hosting DWTS!
“I’ve been a fan of DWTS since its beginning,” the California native said in a statement in July 2020. “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.” imageSPACE/Shutterstock
Banks exclusively told Us Weekly in July 2020 that she felt “pressure” taking over for Bergeron and Andrews. Two months later, she told Us, “[I’m] respecting the stage that they have set and then adding my icing to that. I feel confident about that, but of course, it’s a challenge, but I don’t back away from challenges.” Scott Kirkland/Invision/AP/Shutterstock; Kristin Callahan/ACE Pictures/Shutterstock; Broadimage/Shutterstock
“We’re gonna keep on going and going,” the former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star said on TikTok in September 2020 after receiving backlash for her on-air hiccups. “Forgive yourself when you mess up and keep going.” ABC/Eric McCandless
“Every host messes up. It’s just normal. It’s live TV. If it wasn’t live, there would be no mess-ups,” Banks exclusively told Us in September 2020. “Even on America’s Next Top Model, I would mess up and tell my editors to leave it in. That’s what makes things human and makes things alive. … It’s better than being like a doll.” ABC/Eric McCandless
The Life-Size star credited her mother, Carolyn London, with pushing her to join the show. “I asked my mom. She was like, ‘Girl, I’m the first person that told you about that damn show! I told you to turn on the TV. The stars is dancing.’ She was the first person to tell me, and I turned it on and couldn’t look away. And so I said, ‘Yeah, I think I can bring something to this.’” Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
After the October 2020 control room mishap, Banks tweeted, “Wowzers. Live TV. Wrong name on cards. So challenging to deal with moments like these. But we power through.” ABC/Eric McCandless
The Modelland author, who had a minor wardrobe malfunction during the season 29 premiere when she lost an earring, exclusively told Us in November 2020 that she wore “sneakers under [her] dress” in several episodes. “I feel more free,” she explained of the fashion hack. Kelsey McNeal/ABC
Banks teased via Instagram in November 2020 that she plans to return for season 30. “Already can’t wait until next season where you know we will take it up 10 notches. Cuz that’s how we do,” she wrote. ABC
"The world is angry at the talent. But there's a whole control room and things happening and craziness going on, and I'm fed certain things, say certain things that I'm told. But it is what it is," Banks explained in August 2021 while reflecting on her "famous" season 29 elimination flub. "We are a team. And sometimes you have to take darts for the team, and I took them. And will continue to take them. ... I was blamed for it, and it wasn't me. And I think that's very important to say." ABC/Eric McCandless
During an interview with James Corden, Banks responded to comments about the wild outfits she wore during season 30. “Different is what? Better," she said in September 2021. "I don’t have time to be normal in a pretty dress because nobody is going to say anything about a pretty dress. You’ve got to push it and go for it." ABC/Eric McCandless
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