America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon quit the show abruptly after a disagreement with NBC over jokes he made on a Showtime special.
With audition episodes ready to be taped, the search was on for a new host. NBC announced on Sunday (March 12) that Tyra Banks has been tapped to helm the popular summer reality competition show.
TMZ posted a series of rumors regarding who would be the next host, but somehow managed to miss Tyra. Read NBC’s announcement below:
Emmy Award winner Tyra Banks, who created and executive produced America’s Next Top Model for 23 cycles, headlined her own talk show, is consistently ranked by Time magazine as one of the world’s most influential people and serves as CEO of her own multimillion-dollar beauty company, has joined NBC’s America’s Got Talent — summer’s most-watched show — as host for the upcoming 12th season.
The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.
Banks said: “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. I look forward to connecting with the dreamers, having fun and giving hugs and words of encouragement when needed. And maybe I’ll get one or two performers to smize for the audience!”
“Welcome to the America’s Got Talent family, Tyra! This is really exciting,” said Simon Cowell, executive producer, judge and creator of the Got Talent format.
“Tyra is the complete package: Out-of-this-world talented, funny, brilliant and all heart. In whatever she has done, she has always connected with audiences around the world,” Telegdy said. “Her vivacious spirit will infuse AGT in a big way.”
“Not only is Tyra smart and beautiful, she’s also warm, compassionate and a lot of fun,” said Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming, Fremantle North America. “She will fit right into the crazy world of AGT.”
She created and executive produced the first and longest-running fashion competition-based reality television series, America’s Next Top Model, with 23 cycles. ANTM currently airs in 186 countries and has 26 international versions that span from Asia, Africa and Australia.
She won two Emmy Awards for The Tyra Show, the first show ever to receive the award in the new informative category. Her infamous line, “Kiss my fat ass!” made TV Guide’s 60 Greatest Talk Show Moments. She was listed twice on Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and took the #1 spot on Forbes’ list of top earning women in primetime for two years in a row.
Returning for season 12 are creator and judge Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. The series returns to Los Angeles this summer with live shows from the famed Dolby Theatre.
