Viewers will be seeing a new face once Dancing With the Stars season 29 arrives on ABC. The network, previously, announced that Tyra Banks will be the new host of the reality dancing competition. This news came after it was revealed that host Tom Bergeron and co-host Erin Andrews exit the show.
On Monday, July 13, Bergeron confirmed via Twitter that the show will continue without him. After that, ABC and BBC studio confirmed his departure and also revealed that Andrews won't be coming back in Dancing With the Stars season 29 as the show goes on a "new creative direction."
Bergeron has been part of the program since the beginning, with the Andrews joining him in season 18. And just one day after announcing the departure of the two, ABC confirmed that America's Next Top Model and America's Got Talent host Tyra Banks will be the new host of the program.
It seems like the program decides to follow a one-host format as a part of their "creative shakeup." In addition to being the new host, Banks will serve as one of the executive producers as well. Following the news, she teased that there are changes in the show.
The supermodel, also, responded to the rumors that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the lead doctor on the White House's COVID-19 response team, is one of the cast members of Dancing With the Stars season 29. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Banks has something to say about this.
She said that she cannot confirm nor deny whether Fauci was among the stars approached to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy. Even though she doesn't know if he would do the show, Banks is hoping he could come and do a "little cha-cha-cha" to celebrate once we have the vaccine.
In late June, rumors sparked that Fauci could be one of the contestants in the upcoming installment. Daily Mail reported that the producers approached him with the offer. The outlet noted that the decision to add him to the show is because he's become a beloved public figure.
However, a spokesperson for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said, in a statement, that Fauci didn't receive any formal invitation from the program. And, if ever he did, he would be flattered but would "respectfully decline" the offer.
While Fauci's appearance in the show is unlikely, TVLine, previously, reported that Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe will be one of the contestants of Dancing With the Stars season 29. The full cast line wasn't yet revealed, though it could be announced later this summer.
As for the official release date of Dancing With the Stars season 29, nothing is certain as of this writing. The show is part of ABC's fall lineup but everything remains unclear. Due to the current global health crisis, the show could premiere at a later date.
