After Tyra Banks revealed she was stepping away from Dancing with the Stars, a new co-host needed to be named and it looks like the reality-ballroom dance competition series has found their gal.

Julianne Hough, will rejoin the series, but this time as the new co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro.  Hough has previously appeared on the dance series as both a pro dancer and a judge.

With Julianne returning to the ballroom, she will be reunited with her brother, Derek Hough, who will be back at the judges table for the show’s upcoming 32nd season streaming on Disney+.

The new co-host has twice won the mirrorball trophy with celebrity partners, Apolo Ohno and Hélio Castroneves, during Dancing with the Stars fourth and fifth seasons on ABC.

As for Tyra Banks, last week, she told TMZ that she felt that it was time for her to exit DWTS and focus on her business and entrepreneurship, and that she would also be producing more TV but behind the scenes.

What do you think of Julianne replacing Tyra in the ballroom for season 32 of DWTS? Comment below.

Yesterday, Tyra Banks dropped a bombshell when speaking with a reporter from TMZ, while out for a stroll.

Banks shared that she’s not going to be returning as host of Dancing with the Stars, and has decided to focus on the business and entrepreneurial side of her career, plus producing behind the scenes entertainment projects.

This morning on Friday, Banks confirmed the news to Deadline.

Tyra had joined DTWTS in season 29 when she replaced longtime host, Tom Bergeron. She also became an executive producer of the reality-ballroom dance competition.

Last season, DWTS streamed exclusively on Disney Plus, and was taken off the ABC network.  During the last season, Tyra co-hosted the show with Alfonso Ribeiro, although she still presided over the ballroom competition.

Thus far, there has been no news of the next season of the series, although it’s expected to return.  In addition to Banks, dancer Mark Ballas along with the previously announced departure of dancer Cheryl Burke, leave the show with some shoes to fill.

Check out Tyra’s chat with TMZ below.

So, glad Tyra has checked out of Dancing with the Stars? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Over the last 24 hours, friends, colleagues and former co-star have paid tribute to Kirstie Alley, the former Cheers and Veronica Closet star, who passed away at age 71.

On Tuesday, a rep for Kirstie Alley confirmed to PEOPLE.com that the actress died from complications from Colon Cancer.

Alley rose to fame in 1987 as Rebecca Howe on NBC’s Cheers. For that tole she earned a Golden Globe for Best Actress and an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy series in1991. In 1994, she received her second Emmy win for her portrayal of Sally Goodson in David’s Mother.

Some of her other roles included: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), Summer School (1987), Look Who’s Talking (1989), It Takes Two (1995) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).

Alley also starred on in other TV sitcoms such as: Veronica’s Closet, Fat Actress, Kirstie and Scream Queens.  She later appeared on two reality series: A&E’s Kirstie Alley’s Big Life and was a celebrity competitor on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars.

Alley’s children, True and Lillie broke the news of their mother’s death via an Instagram post: “To all our friends, far and wide around the world. We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother. We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care. Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did. We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time.”

Photo: KAlleyIG

Kirstie’s controversial relationship with Scientology had been much talked about in the press and through her years in Hollywood.  The late actress shared in the past that through Scientology, it gave her the strength to climb out of her drug addiction and depression. In her 2012 memoir, The Art of Men, she noted that she stumbled upon Scientology at a very dark period in her life; that for 26 days, she drove from Kansas to Newport Beach, California, to visit a Scientology center, stopping periodically along the way to buy drugs.  After, she said Scientology helped her kicked her addition, Kirstie then became a devotee and spent decades publicly defending the church and building friendships within it, but later in life, she found some of those relationships fracture such as with Leah Ramini.

Greg Vaughan (Eric, DAYS): “I am beyond thankful to have had the pleasure to embrace your love, laughter & kindness!!! All my love & prayers”

Finola Hughes (Anna, GH): “#rip #kirstialley one of a kind”

Maksim Chmerkovskiy (DWTS) “My dearest Kirstie, We haven’t spoken lately and I’ll tell you everything when I finally see you, but for now I want to say that I love you very much and I wish you the most peaceful rest. You were one of the most unique people I have ever met and easily one of the brightest moments of my personal and professional life.  Some of our relationship is heavily documented. Most of it is known to select few. All of it was like a wild rollercoaster. From Maude to DJ Lil Buttercup you were always all in for life. As I’m typing this, memories of our time together rush to my head, I remember how absolutely wild you were and I start to tear up. Something you’d absolutely hate. And now I can’t help but smile because I remembered exactly what you wanted me to say at your funeral. Don’t think I can do it here… I thought you’d be around forever.  I wish we spoke often. Thank you for everything. I love you Kirstie Alley”

Photo: NBC

Ted Danson (ex-Cheers, ex-Mr. Mayor, ex-AW):  “I was on a plane today and did something I rarely do. “I watched an old episode of Cheers.  It was the episode where Tom Berenger proposes to Kirstie, who keeps saying no, even though she desperately wants to say yes. Kirstie was truly brilliant in it. Her ability to play a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown was both moving and hysterically funny,  She made me laugh 30 years ago when she shot that scene, and she made me laugh today just as hard. As I got off the plane, I heard that Kirstie had died. I am so sad and so grateful for all the times she made me laugh. I send my love to her children. As they well know, their mother had a heart of gold. I will miss her.”

Kelsey Grammar (ex-Cheers): “I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her.”

Rhea Perlman (ex-Cheers): “Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her joy of being was boundless. We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers. She loved kids and my kids loved her too. We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created.  She had massive Halloween and Easter parties, and invited the entire crew of the show, and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply. I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I’m going to miss her very, very much.”

John Travolta: “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.  I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”

Jamie Lee Curtis: “I’ve just heard the sad news that Kirstie Alley has died. She was a great comic foil in Scream Queens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas. We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”

Share your thoughts on the passing of Kirstie Alley in the comment section below.

 

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