Tyra Banks named new ‘DWTS’ host
CELEBRITIES
Tyra Banks will be showing off her moves as solo host of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
The supermodel, actor and businesswoman who co-created “America’s
Next Top Model” will replace longtime host Tom Bergeron and take on the role of executive producer, ABC said late Tuesday.
In a statement, Banks said she’s a fan of the contest’s approach of “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.”
Banks lauded Bergeron, host of the show since its 2005 debut, as having set “a powerful stage” and said she’s excited to continue the legacy.
Co-host Erin Andrews also is leaving the series. She was not expected to be replaced.
When the show will get to unveil its new approach in season No. 29 remains clouded by the pandemiccaused production halt affecting the return of most TV series.
ViacomCBS drops Nick Cannon: Nick Cannon’s “hateful speech” and antiSemitic theories led ViacomCBS to cut ties with the TV host and producer, the media giant said.
“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. It is terminating its relationship with Cannon, ViacomCBS said.
The company’s move was in response to remarks made by Cannon on a podcast in which he and Richard “Professor Griff ” Griffith, the former Public Enemy member, discussed racial bias. The podcast reportedly was filmed last year and aired two weeks ago.
“We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” ViacomCBS said.
Cannon produced “Wild ’n Out,” a comedy improv series for VH1, a ViacomCBS-owned cable channel. He’s been a regular part of TV shows unconnected to the company, including as the former host of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and host of Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
He wrote in a lengthy Facebook post Wednesday that he was “deeply saddened” by his firing and accused the company of using his remarks to try to silence “an outspoken black man.”
“I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation,” Cannon said, adding that he was seeking full ownership of “Wild ’n Out.”
“Systemic racism is what this world was built on and was the subject in which I was attempting to highlight in the recent clips that have been circulating from my podcast,” Cannon said. “If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize.”
Gayle King to host radio show: “CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King has officially signed on to satellite radio provider SiriusXM for a topical listener call-in show. SiriusXM announced Wednesday that “Gayle King in the House” will now air live every Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern on SiriusXM Channel 109. It debuts this week.
July 16 birthdays: Singer William Bell is 81. Dancer Michael Flatley is 62. Actress Phoebe Cates is 57. Actor Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is 55. Actor Will Ferrell is 53. Actress Rain Pryor is
51. Actor Corey Feldman is
49. Actress Jayma Mays is
41.