One of my guiltiest of pleasures, America’s Got Talent, just got a little bit guiltier thanks to its new host. Tyra Banks, who hosted (and judged) 22 cycles of America’s Next Top Model, has replaced Nick Cannon for the 12th season of the popular summertime series. AGT judges Heidi Klum, Mel B., Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell are all returning for the season, which is currently in production.
After a very public breakup with NBC, Nick Cannon abandoned his post as host of the talent show after eight seasons of introducing magicians, ventriloquists and all sorts of variety acts. The reason for Nick’s departure has stemmed from the network’s reaction to a racially-charged joke Nick made about the network on his Showtime special, Stand Up, Don’t Shoot. In a post on his Facebook page back in February Nick said “I now have to set out on a journey of freedom as an artist. So I wish ‘AGT’ and NBC the best in its upcoming season but I can not see myself returning.” More recently, Nick told Entertainment Tonight that the move was “calculated,” adding,
I feel like change is growth. I wish everyone the best. I wish all the new people involved the best. I wish the brand to continue to flourish. I’ve got love for the network, I’ve got love for the production, and I feel like I’m growing as an artist, and as a human being, to bigger and better things.
The gig is really nothing new for Tyra. After ANTM, the 43-year-old multi-hyphenate (model/talk show hostess/actress/author) recently got back into reality television as an adviser to Arnold Schwarzenegger on the most recent season of Celebrity Apprentice. In a statement released on Sunday, Tyra expressed her enthusiasm for the new gig, stating:
Since I was a little girl, I’ve been obsessed with grandiose acts and performers who make the seemingly impossible possible. I love how ‘AGT’ brings that feeling into everyone’s home, capturing the best of people who come out and give it their all to make those big, fierce and outrageous dreams come true.
Tyra also made announcements on social media, first with a Snapchat video with makeup artist/YouTube personality Patrick Starr and then with a tweet where she announced, “Surprise! TyTy is the new host of #AGT @nbcagt! Can’t wait 2work w/new fam @OfficialMelB @howiemandel @heidiklum & @SimonCowell.”
So @patrickstarrr is my new famous social media publicist helping my clueless butt get the @nbcagt new-host-news word out. pic.twitter.com/56dplkvBgY
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) March 13, 2017
Surprise! TyTy is the new host of #AGT @nbcagt! Can't wait 2work w/new fam @OfficialMelB @howiemandel @heidiklum & @SimonCowell
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) March 12, 2017
AGT judge Howie Mandel also took to Twitter to announce Tyra’s addition and congratulated her on her new role:
Please welcome @TyraBanks to the @NBCAGT family! She's our new host. #TyraBanks #AGT pic.twitter.com/JFebSVqUqC
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
As much as I’m not a huge Nick Cannon fan, I did enjoy his interaction with the contestants on AGT (especially the awful ones). I don’t see Tyra getting as into it as Nick did, but you know there’s going to be 100% more “smizing” this season. I also hope this means more drag queens on AGT, because drag queens LOVE Tyra. I’m willing to give Ty-Ty a chance.
Photos: WENN.com, Fame Flynet
TB gets annoying really quickly 😑
Shelley, I agree.
She is soooo extra,such a cornball.
She is so beautiful, but I have never liked her on-screen persona. It is far too performative, for my liking. She just doesn’t seem real – the act gets old – fast.
I don’t watch AGT, but I did watch ANTM and Tyra is a beautiful, crazy hot mess that I think would be perfect as a host of any reality show. I wonder if Howard Stern is still a judge. Tyra and he on the same stage….perfection reality television!
I only watched when Howard was on (it’s been a year, I think?), and I did like Nick. HATE the turban, though, so good riddance to that! Plus, he was kinda on track to kill himself by overworking, so I think it’s a good move. Tyra should be fine hosting.
Cannon was always really good with the contestants. You could see him rooting for them and helping them get off the stage with a little dignity if they bombed. He was also pretty quick with the funny comebacks to the judges. I don’t see Trya doing anything but promoting Tyra, plus she is dumb as a rock. She does have amazing eyes.
I don’t watch the show in a couple of years but I can’t imagine Tyra as host. Nick was funny and great with the contestants and judges. I don’t think Tyra would have the same interaction.
It might be too much for her to commit to hosting full time, but I would like to see Betty White be a guest host or judge. Tyra is an interesting choice, but she may surprise everybody
I love Tyra and everything, but I find her to be quiet annoying at times. I don’t know we’ll see, Nick was the best.
Tyra? Obsessed with “grandiose acts?” Noooooooooo, you don’t say.
Good luck T looks like you gonna need it.Simon dropped the ball here.
Maybe is because I always watched ANTM dubbed but I always liked her and her drama. I think she’ll be fine.
Boo!! She sucks! Totally full of herself. She doesn’t have the compassion that show requires. I give her 3 months before she gets into it with a contestant and gets the boot.