DANCING with the Stars has released a new teaser for its upcoming season, and fans can’t help but notice new host Alfonso Ribeiro seems to be coming up a little short.
Especially when standing next to controversial co-host Tyra Banks.
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The former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star is joining the supermodel for the coming season, which will stream on Disney+.
In a new preview, Alfonso, 50, and Tyra, 48, stand next to each other on a purple-lit stage.
“Uh, Tyra, I don’t think we are in L.A. anymore,” Alfonso stated.
“No, this is a completely different ballroom,” Tyra responded.
Enter Tinkerbell with a sprinkling of fairy dust, and suddenly the two are dancing away.
But the height disparity is unavoidable.
Alfonso, listed at 5’6, barely comes up to the 5’10 model’s shoulders.
On Twitter, fans teased the difference.
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“Poor Alfonso comes up to Tyra’s knees,” one person joked.
Another tweeted: “The height difference between Tyra and Alfonso, I just – “
TYRA’S TRIALS
Others were more standoffish over the fact that Tyra is back as host at all.
“I just hope Alfonso can keep it from continuing to be the Tyra model walk and ridiculous wardrobe change show,” one fan tweeted. “The focus has been on the host for way too many seasons.”
Another admitted: “Miss the show so much! Love that Alfonso is on-board!” but also ended with: “I will watch again when Tyra is replaced.”
Others were more straightforward.
“Hard pass, not with Tyra still there,” one person shared.
“Can’t stand to watch another season with Tyra hosting,” another added.
While a third slammed: “Should’ve got rid of Tyra all together.”
TYRA’S TROUBLES
After the show fired O.G. hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, seasons 29 and 30 were the first in the show’s history where there was only one host, which meant interviews had to be cut down and more duties, and pressure, were put on Tyra.
The supermodel made many mistakes while hosting, including not announcing the correct couple to go home and taking too long to announce winners.
The negative response to Tyra’s tact was immediate, with fans vowing to boycott the show, and demanding that the model be fired.
“Look, it’s no secret that there is huge fan discontent out there,” a source told the U.S. Sun.
Enter a new co-host.
ALFONSO TO THE RESCUE
“Disney knew they had to act so they told Tyra of the decision to have someone stand alongside her in the spring.
“While they gave her no choice but to accept the cast move, they did say she could ‘potentially veto’ any prospective hosts, under her role as executive producer.”
But Tyra and Alfonso go back several years, and the model even made a guest appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“Alfonso and Tyra have a long show business relationship with a lot of mutual respect. That was easy enough,” the source summarized.
“Thankfully there was no drama when Alfonso finally agreed.
“Lord knows what would have happened if it had been someone she did not like.”
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