Tyra Banks is ravishing in red as she takes to dance floor for FIRST TIME as she debuts as host of Dancing With The Stars during season 29 premiere
Tyra Banks took the dance floor as the new host of Dancing With The stars during Monday night's highly anticipated season 29 premiere on ABC.
The 46-year-old supermodel, who replaced show veterans Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, donned a stunning bright red ball gown and matching arm-length gloves.
'Whoo! Oh, my gosh, I can't believe it. I'm finally here. My family and I have been fans of this show since day one. And look, mama, I'm in the ballroom!' shouted Banks excitedly into her microphone.
'Welcome to Dancing with the stars! Right here, right now!'
Hostess with the mostess: Tyra Banks took the dance floor as the new host of Dancing With The stars during Monday night's highly anticipated season 29 premiere on ABC
Tyra rocked a voluminous head of curls and a dramatic face of feature flattering makeup as she reacted animatedly to the show's prerecorded applause.
She spoke directly to viewers at home and admitted how much of a 'dream come true' her hosting gig on Dancing With The Stars was for her.
Banks added: 'I'm so grateful to be a part of this incredible legacy.'
In an effortless transition, Tyra addressed the social-distancing guidelines in place, down to the positioning of the judges and dancers and even the layout of the show's iconic ballroom.
Stunning: The 46-year-old supermodel, who replaced show veterans Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, donned a stunning bright red ball gown and matching arm-length gloves
All the drama: Tyra rocked a voluminous head of curls and a dramatic face of feature flattering makeup as she reacted animatedly to the show's prerecorded applause
'As you can see, to ensure the safety of our cast and our phenomenal crew, we've given the ballroom a serious makeover. Even the judges have made some room for social distancing,' said the former America's Next Top Model host.
She then introduced the judges for season 29, which included series regulars Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba and the newly added Derek Hough.
'And we want to welcome our new judge, six-time mirror ball champion, Derek Hough, announced Tyra, before inquiring about the 35-year-old pro dancer's excitement towards his new gig.
'This is where America first met you, as a dancer, and now you're a judge. What is it like to be on that side of the desk?'
Introductions: Tyra introduced the judges for season 29, which included series regulars Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba and the newly added Derek Hough
New judge: 'And we want to welcome our new judge, six-time mirror ball champion, Derek Hough, announced Tyra, before inquiring about the 35-year-old pro dancer's excitement towards his new gig
Derek gushed over how much Dancing With The Stars 'means to ' and that he is 'so excited to be here.'
Tyra explained to viewers that veteran judge Len Goodman 'wasn't able to safely travel from the U.K. to the United States,' hence why Hough replaced him.
Goodman, 76, appeared virtually during Monday night's premiere to congratulate Derek, encourage the competitors, and to give Tyra a '10' for her performance as host.
'Guess what. You're getting a 10 from Len,' said Goodman with a smile, to which Tyra replied: 'Oh, thanks, Len. Wow. A 10 from Len. I'm going to tear up.'
Checking in: Len Goodman, 76, appeared virtually during Monday night's premiere to congratulate Derek, encourage the competitors, and to give Tyra a '10' for her performance as host
10 from Len: 'Guess what. You're getting a 10 from Len,' said Goodman with a smile, to which Tyra replied: 'Oh, thanks, Len. Wow. A 10 from Len. I'm going to tear up'
After Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean 'shot right out of the cannon' with his dance partner Cheryl Burke with the jive, Banks returned to the floor in an eye-popping fuchsia pantsuit.
Tyra did not hold back as she engaged in frequent laugh-filled banter with the judges, coaches, and celebrity contestants, while keeping in tune with the show's fast paced format.
In the style of her hit series America's Next Top Model, Tyra came in clutch with the colloquialisms as she reacted to the judges' scores.
At one point, Derek, Carrie Ann, and Bruno gave Extra TV host Jeannie Mai and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong high praise for their energetic salsa, while only delivering a collective score of 18 out of 30.
Outfit change: After Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean 'shot right out of the cannon' with his dance partner Cheryl Burke with the jive, Banks returned to the floor in an eye-popping fuchsia pantsuit
Banter: Tyra did not hold back as she engaged in frequent laugh-filled banter with the judges, coaches, and celebrity contestants, while keeping in tune with the show's fast paced format
Which, at that point in the show, was the fourth 18 point score of the evening.
'These judges are shady. They are shady. Right? I'm sorry. The shade in the room, and the tea that is being sipped at home right now,' remarked Tyra playfully as she fanned herself with her cue card.
Banks experienced a minor wardrobe malfunction towards the end of Monday night's broadcast, but she shook off the incident like a total pro
'I lost an earring,' she announced, before untangling a single chandelier earrings from her hair.
'I promised y'all that I was gonna be REAL real on this . I may pass it to you, Carrie Ann. Take this earring, girl. Catch. Scores?'
After all 12 competitors performed their dance routines out on the ballroom floor, Tyra reminded viewers at home to 'cast votes next Tuesday night' for their favorites.
All the slang: In the style of her hit series America's Next Top Model, Tyra came in clutch with the colloquialisms as she reacted to the judges' scores
Confusing: At one point, Derek, Carrie Ann, and Bruno gave Extra TV host Jeannie Mai and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong high praise for their energetic salsa, while only delivering a collective score of 18 out of 30
Shady: 'These judges are shady. They are shady. Right? I'm sorry. The shade in the room, and the tea that is being sipped at home right now,' remarked Tyra playfully as she fanned herself with her cue card
'The glitter has been flying. That was bananas crazy, off the chain. It was the first night for all these stars and they brought it,' as she began closing out the lengthy season premiere.
'You guys, I had such a great time tonight. I hope you did, too. Thank you so much for welcoming me into this ballroom,' she concluded.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in July that Tyra would replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as host of Dancing With The Stars, just days before the model appeared on Good Morning America to unveil her new gig.
Bergeron, who has been with Dancing With The Stars since its premiere in 2005, and his co-host Andrews were let go just days before the Tyra news broke.
Aside from becoming the series' first Black female host, Banks was also awarded an executive producer title.
'ABC wanted to freshen the show up and take it in a new direction,' one source said.
'Tyra is an experienced TV host who knows how to produce great TV and make TV moments.'
'She's dynamic and fun and will bring a whole new energy to the show.'
In a statement, Tyra gushed over having 'been a fan of DWTS since its beginning' and that she was always drawn to ''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. Tom has set a powerful stage, and I'm excited to continue the legacy and put on my executive producer and hosting hats.'
Banks also said she was 'excited' to step into the role of both host and executive producer and thrilled to 'break down' barriers by becoming the show's first solo black female host.
In a recent interview with NPR, just days before the DWTS season 29 premiere, the supermodel she felt nervous 'stepping into Tom Bergeron and Erin shoes' on the series.
'I think the challenge is stepping into shoes. I mean, you know, Tom Bergeron and Erin. They lead the show, this is one of the top-rated shows in the world. So I' respecting the stage that they have set and then adding my icing to that,' she explained.
Although she 'feels confident' about stepping up as the show's new hostess, she recognizes that 'of course, it's a challenge.'
She added: 'But I don't back away from challenges.'
Replaced: DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in July that Tyra would replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews as host of Dancing With The Stars, just days before the model appeared on Good Morning America to unveil her new gig