Tyra Banks Calls Julianne Hough the "Perfect" Dancing With the Stars Replacement

Following her exit as host of Dancing With the Stars after three seasons, Tyra Banks reacted to Julianne Hough joining Alfonso Ribeiro as co-host.

By JD Knapp Mar 29, 2023 7:15 PMTags

So you think you can host?

A little more than a week after it was confirmed that Julianne Hough will succeed Tyra Banks as co-host of Dancing With the Stars, the supermodel herself is weighing in.

"The businesswoman in me sees how Julianne is great on multiple levels," Tyra told Us Weekly in an interview out March 29. "She's a professional dancer. She is the sister of Derek [Hough], a DWTS multi-champion, who is now a stellar judge. It's going to be a family affair in that ballroom which people will love to watch."

She added, "She has so much personality and strong opinions backed by expertise. She's a perfect choice. She's gonna crush it."

The former America's Next Top Model host also shared what she'll miss most about hosting the long-running dance competition after three seasons.

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"I loved walking out every week in over-the-top outfits to such a hyped ballroom," Tyra revealed. "Seeing Derek Hough dance in person was such a treat."

Julianne was announced as Alfonso Ribeiro's co-host for the Disney+ competition's upcoming 32nd season on March 20. The pair will join returning judges Derek, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

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Tyra previously explained her decision to waltz away from DWTS was a chance for her to focus on her other projects.

"I feel it's time for me to really focus on my business and entrepreneurship, but also producing more TV but behind the scenes," she told TMZ on March 17. "So, you know what? I think it's time to graduate from the dance floor to the stock market floor."

ABC/Sebastian Kim

The 49-year-old continued, "I think my heart, my soul is into my business, it's also into producing new TV. I really, really wanna focus on my business and you can't do that hosting a show, so you'll see me creating things, not just hosting."

Meanwhile, Julianne's return to the show comes four months after she expressed interest in salsa-ing her way back.

"That would be amazing," she exclusively told E! News in November. "I would love to be back in the ballroom at any point, just because that's my family. It's funny—there's been so many iterations where I was on as a dancer and then as a judge, and who knows what's next, but I love that show. I love that family so much."

See Julianne Hough make her hosting debut when Dancing With the Stars returns this fall on Disney+.

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