Why is Tyra Banks hosting Dancing With the Stars?

And a 5, 6, 7, 8! Tonight, Dancing With the Stars returns to ABC and if you haven’t heard, they’re shaking things up for season 29. For starters, Tyra Banks is the new host.

Over the summer, the network sadly said goodbye to beloved co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews and named their surprising replacement. According to Good Housekeeping, the legendary supermodel was an unexpected pick in the eyes of many, including executive producer and former solo host, Tom Bergeron. And he wasn’t alone in wondering if Tyra was the right choice for the job.

Why is Tyra Banks the new host of Dancing With the Stars?

While it hasn’t been explicitly reported why Tyra was chosen, perhaps the answer lies in her extremely impressive resume!

Let’s not forget, Tyra Banks is a career woman who not only walked the walk, but has talked the talk professionally more than once. The supermodel-turned-mogul is pretty well versed when it comes to what it takes to be the hostest with the mostest on TV.

Back in the day, Banks hosted and executive produced her very popular daytime series The Tyra Banks Show for five years. And pretty unforgettably, the queen of posing practically changed the face of fashion (and taught us all how to “smize”) when she pioneered the hit series America’s Next Top Model.

Hosted by Tyra, that breakout series (and its equally famous panel of judges) had a 24 cycle run. Not to mention, the iconic cover girl hosted seasons 12 and 13 of America’s Got Talent and co-hosted FABLife with Chrissy Teigen and Joe Zee, to name a few more.

Qualifications aside, some fans still aren’t ready to give ABC’s latest pick a 10 out of 10. Still, that’s not stopping the 46-year-old star from putting her best foot forward when it comes to her latest gig.

As reported in the New York Post, Tyra Banks aims to connect with a younger viewing audience. The new DWTS host also claims one of her primary goals is to make the series a family affair, getting younger generations to tune in with their “moms, aunties and grandparents.”

All in all, Banks seems up to the challenge, telling Us Weekly:

"I love when something wrong happens because the world can see, like, the imperfection. I always say, ‘Show the mishaps and the malfunctions and the mistakes.’ … It’s my job to show everybody that I can do this so that I can entertain you."

Due to the COVID-19 protocols, the socially-distanced season is certainly looking a lot different with or without super-host Tyra Banks. But no matter what happens on the televised dance floor tonight, we’re all “rooting for you,” Tyra!

Here’s to hoping everyone has a ball!