Looks like Tyra couldn’t stay away from the hosting life for too long. First, it was her talk show, then came an extremely successful run with “America’s Next Top Model” and after taking some time away, the model-turned-media-maven is dipping her toe back into the television waters as the new host of “America’s Got Talent.”
Howie Mandel, one of the judges on the show, made the official announcement on Twitter.
Please welcome @TyraBanks to the @NBCAGT family! She’s our new host. #TyraBanks #AGT pic.twitter.com/JFebSVqUqC
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
You may remember that the need for the new host comes after comedian Nick Cannon’s departure. According to Variety, Cannon, who’d been hosting the show since 2009, fell out with the network and announced he was leaving the show. The strained relationship was a result of the network claiming a joke he made disparaged their brand. The joke substituted the N in the NBC acronym with a well-known racial slur. NBC claimed Cannon was in breach of contract for attaching their name to the slur and after much deliberation, he decided not to return for another season.
He issued a lengthy statement via his Facebook page.
“I write this from a deeply saddened and dolorous mindset. After days of deliberating over some extremely disappointing news that I was being threatened with termination by Executives because of a comedy special that was only intended to bring communities closer together, I was to be punished for a joke. This has weighed heavy on my spirit. It was brought to my attention by my “team” that NBC believed that I was in breach of contract because I had disparaged their brand. In my defense, I would ask how so? Or is this just another way to silence and control an outspoken voice who often battles the establishment. Recently many of my mentors have cautioned me that soon “The System” would come down on me because I was speaking too many truths and being to loud about it. I had no idea that it all would hit so close to home. I find myself in a dark place having to make a decision that I wish I didn’t have to, but as a man, an artist, and a voice for my community I will not be silenced, controlled or treated like a piece of property. There is no amount of money worth my dignity or my integrity. I have loved hosting AMERICAS GOT TALENT for the last 8 seasons, watching talented, brave, and courageous Americans accomplish their dreams in front of millions has been nothing but a joy, and everyone has been a pleasure to work with but my soul won’t allow me to be in business with corporations that attempt to frown on freedom of speech, censor artists, and question cultural choices. Not to get too detailed but this isn’t the first time executives have attempted to “put me in my place” for so called unruly actions. I will not stand for it. My moral principles will easily walk away from the millions of dollars they hang over my head. It’s never been about the money for me, what is difficult to walk away from is the fans, the people who love me on the show. This hurts tremendously. I felt like I was apart of the fabric of our great nation every summer, representing every culture, age, gender, and demographic. Now for the rug to be pulled from underneath me and to be publicly reprimanded and ridiculed over a joke about my own race is completely wrong and I have to do something about it. I have fought many battles in my career and have never been afraid to go up against the system. I have mulled over my process for days and felt it was best to once again speak my mind about an unjust infrastructure that treat talent like they own them. Maybe it was my mistake for signing the contract in the first place, in which I will take full responsibility and have already taken action to restructure my own team of advisors. I now have to set out on a journey of freedom as an artist. As I was quoted in a recent interview, “You can’t fire a Boss!” and that is the essence that I possess. So I wish AGT and NBC the best in its upcoming season but I can not see myself returning. As of lately I have even questioned if I want to even be apart of an industry who ultimately treats artists in this manner. Most of us don’t realize that there are 6 major corporations that control 90 percent of media in America and the amount of minority executives is dismal. With this being the case, true equality in our industry is impossible. There will always be a “do as I say” mentality that mirrors society’s perception of women and minorities, and only a few will stand up against it. I proudly stand as one of those few, and will gladly take on whatever repercussions that come with it. I love art and entertainment too much to watch it be ruined by controlling corporations and big business. I believe It’s our duty as artists to make a difference and create change even if it’s one act at a time. Dr. King said it best, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter”
After Cannon’s announcement, NBC threw out a lot of names for his potential replacement, including comedian Marlon Wayans. Though Cannon had stepped away from the show, he openly wondered why the network wanted to replace him with another Black person. I couldn’t see how that was a bad thing. But here we are.
Either way, in accepting the position, Tyra wrote:
“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!”
Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and reality for NBC said, “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. Her vivacious spirit will infuse ‘AGT’ in a big way.”
This is a huge opportunity for Tyra as “America’s Got Talent” is the most-watched summer alternative series. Season 12 is set to begin filming in Los Angeles this month, along with Mel B, Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell, who is the executive producer and creator of the “Got Talent” format.
Congratulations to Tyra, we’re sure she’ll do well in this new role.
Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @VDubShrug.
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