Julianne Hough to Host ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Following Tyra Banks’ Exit: “This Show Holds a Special Place in My Heart”

By Raven Brunner @raventbrunner
Published March 20, 2023, 2:28 p.m. ET

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Julianne Hough is shimmying her way back onto Dancing With the Stars following Tyra Banks’s exit. The triple threat is rejoining the reality competition as co-host for its 32nd season, alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. 

“It is such an honor to be rejoining Dancing with the Stars as co-host. The show holds such a special place in my heart from the many years and different roles I have had the privilege of being a part of,” Hough said today in a statement via Instagram. 

She continued, “The incredible team that brings the ballroom to life every night has been my family for the past 17 years. I am so excited to reunite with Alfonso, Carrie Ann, Bruno, Derek, the unbelievably talented pros, and the amazing cast on the dance floor.” 

Her brother, Derek Hough, serves as a judge on the Disney+ show, where he’ll be joined by Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

Hough made her debut on DWTS in 2007 as a professional dancer and choreographer. She departed the series after four years, but has returned as a judge for a variety of nonconsecutive seasons. 

During her time off from the series, Hough hosted Miss USA, Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration and Step into the Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough. She also starred as a judge on America’s Got Talent. Last year, she co-hosted the first hour of the Tony Awards, alongside Darren Criss.

Her time on the dancing competition series has earned her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and she won one, which she shares with her brother. Hough was also crowned the winner of DWTS twice (in the fourth and fifth seasons) alongside her respective dancing partners: Apolo Anton Ohno and Hélio Castroneves.

Banks, who has hosted the show since 2020, is leaving the hosting gig to focus on her ice cream business.

“I’m really focused on business. I feel it’s time for me to really focus on my business and my entrepreneurship, and also producing more TV,” she explained last week.