Dancing with the Stars host Alfonso Ribeiro, who will be joined by new co-host Julianne Hough, has revealed Tyra Banks' reaction to being replaced by Alfonso for Season 32 of the ABC series.
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"So, she was very happy that I was the person that, kind of, was moved up into her slot."
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Tyra joined Dancing with the Stars as its host in Season 29, when the former America's Next Top Model host replaced Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews.
Tyra, who also served as an executive producer on Dancing with the Stars during her hosting reign, told TMZ in March that she was leaving Dancing with the Stars after three seasons to focus on her entrepreneurial projects and pivot into more of a "behind the scenes" role.
"I feel it's time for me to really focus on my business and my entrepreneurship, and also producing more TV, behind the scenes," Tyra explained at the time.
"I think it's time to graduate from the dance floor to the stock market floor. I think my heart, my soul, is into my business, it's also into producing new TV."
That same month, Alfonso was announced as Dancing with the Stars' new host, and then ABC confirmed Julianne -- a former DWTS judge and pro partner, who had won two mirrorball trophies -- would be serving as co-host alongside him.
Alfonso told Us that Tyra showed him "nothing but love" following her departure from the reality dancing competition and that the former supermodel said he's "made for this" hosting gig.
Alfonso and Julianne, 35, are now looking forward to working together when Dancing with the Stars premieres its 32nd season with a live two-hour episode on Tuesday, September 26 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.
Alfonso teased that he and Julianne are going to make an "amazing" team, mainly because they have natural chemistry.
"Our connection is fantastic. I think we're going to be great together. The energy's going to be great," Alfonso shared.
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"I get to move down onto the floor this season and to the old Tom Bergeron role. It's going to be a lot of fun."
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Alfonso explained how he'll get the opportunity to chat with contestants on the dance floor "fresh" after they finish a performance. Julianne, meanwhile, will be able to ask questions in the DWTS skybox before judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli reveal their scores.
"That's where we start. We'll see what happens, but yeah, that's where we're starting and it's going to be fun," Alfonso said. "It's going to be really awesome to be standing next to them. The love is right here."
The entire Dancing with the Stars cast, comprised of 14 celebrities and their pro partners, was announced Wednesday on Good Morning America.
The competing celebrities include supermodel and actor Tyson Beckford, Marvel star Xochiti Gomez, American Pie actress Alyson Hannigan, social media and Netflix star Harry Jowsey, The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson, Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix, two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, and NFL All-Star running back Adrian Peterson.
The remainder of the Season 32 cast is comprised of singer and social media star Lele Pons, actress Mira Sorvino, actress and singer Jamie Lynn Spears, real estate mogul and reality TV star Mauricio Umansky, comedian and actor Matt Walsh, and The Brady Brunch dad Barry Williams.
"This is a great cast and the energy is going to be amazing, and I think the heart and the love and the soul of the show will be there for this season and I'm excited," Alfonso gushed. "The anticipation... it's real."
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Charity Lawson is partnered with Artem Chigvintsev, Ariana Madix is paired with Pasha Pashkov, Jason Mraz is paired with Daniella Karagach, Adrian Peterson is partnered with Britt Stewart, and Lele Pons is paired with Brandon Armstrong.
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Mira Sorvino is paired with Gleb Savchenko, Jamie Lynn Spears is partnered with Alan Bersten, Mauricio Umansky is partnered with Emma Slater, Matt Walsh is paired with Koko Iwasaki, and Barry Williams is partnered with Peta Murgatroyd.
In addition to boasting about how he and Julianne both have awesome personalities, he said of Season 32, "I think we've got one of the hottest, most epic seasons ever."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
