Howie Mandell let the proverbial cat out of the bag, announcing on Twitter that starting this summer, Tyra Banks is the new host of “America’s Got Talent.”
“Please welcome @TyraBanks to the @NBCAGT family! She’s our new host. #TyraBanks #AGT,” he tweeted.
And Banks very happily confirmed: “Surprise! TyTy is the new host of #AGT @nbcagt! Can’t wait 2work w/new fam @OfficialMelB @howiemandel @heidiklum & @SimonCowell.”
Then the love fest between Banks and Mandell took off.
Please welcome @TyraBanks to the @NBCAGT family! She’s our new host. #TyraBanks #AGT pic.twitter.com/JFebSVqUqC
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/tyrabanks/status/841067045340950528
Hi TyTy. I’m HowHow. Teach me how to smize, kween @tyrabanks! https://t.co/acC63DpOa1
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
Oh HowHow, I WillWill. Just you WaitWait. https://t.co/rW94VKzHRk
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) March 12, 2017
i’m excited. #AGT https://t.co/SDl1SIj0vq
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
Banks, who was a judge and executive producer on “America’s Next Top Model,” will be stepping into the hosting role left vacant when Nick Cannon, who hosted the NBC competition show since 2009 and quit in February after NBC threatened his reps with termination over racial humor in his Showtime comedy special.
TMZ reported that NBC execs were considering firing Cannon on the grounds that he was violating a clause in his contract forbidding him from “disparaging the network.” Cannon, however, took to Facebook and posted a lengthy note apologizing to “AGT” fans and, ultimately, deciding that continuing to work with NBC was not in his best interests as an artist.