It's the end of an era for "Dancing with the Stars." After 15 years of leading the hit ABC show, Tom Bergeron and his cohost Erin Andrews won't be returning for the show's 29th season. Instead, the producers at ABC and BBC Studios have decided to take the show in a "new creative direction," bringing in Tyra Banks to shake things up as the new host and executive producer.
Enter Tyra Banks: A New Host with a Bold Vision
When Tyra Banks was announced as the new host of "DWTS," fans were both surprised and excited. In a statement, Tyra expressed her admiration for the show, saying, "I’ve been a fan of 'DWTS' since its beginning. 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." At 46 years old, Tyra is ready to step into the spotlight and continue the legacy that Tom Bergeron has built over the years. She added, "Tom has set a powerful stage, and I’m excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats."
ABC Sends a Heartfelt Farewell to Tom and Erin
On July 13, ABC released a statement acknowledging the contributions of Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews to the show. They expressed their gratitude, saying, "Tom Bergeron will forever be part of the 'Dancing with the Stars' family. He departs the show with our sincerest thanks and gratitude for his trademark wit and charm that helped make this show a success. Erin will also not be returning, and we appreciate all that she brought to the ballroom."
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View this post on InstagramJust when I figured out how to work the spray tanner! 😉
ABC continued by saying, "Fans have been rooting for her since she originally competed as a contestant back in 2010, and her signature sense of humor has become a hallmark of the show." Tom Bergeron, 65, has been a beloved figure on "DWTS" since its debut in 2005, while Erin Andrews, 42, joined him as cohost in 2014, after she and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy placed third in the competition during season 10.
A Bittersweet Goodbye from Tom Bergeron
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Tom Bergeron shared his feelings about stepping away from the show. "Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me," he wrote. "It’s been an incredible 15-year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all these glitter masks?" Tom hilariously captioned the post, "Just when I figured out how to work the spray tanner." Meanwhile, Erin has yet to comment publicly on her departure.
