Brooke Burke Slams ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Host Tyra Banks: ‘It’s Not the Place to be a Diva’

Brooke Burke is speaking out about Dancing With the Stars host Tyra Banks. Burke, who won a Mirrorball Trophy of her own in 2008 before co-hosting the long-running dance competition series from 2010-2013, shared how she feels about Banks as the show's latest host during a new appearance on the Behind The Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast.

"It's tough. It's a live show. And I know those live tapings are a struggle, you know, behind the scenes. You know, she's a diva. Everybody knows that she's a diva. There's nothing wrong with that. And I'm not, I'm not saying anything bad about her. Be a diva. It's not the place to be a diva. You know, your pros are the diva. Your winner. Your perfect 10 score dancer who's never done it. That defines diva in the ballroom. So, you know, I just think it wasn't embraced," Burke said of Banks' behavior in the DWTS ballroom.

While the 50-year-old TV personality insisted that she wasn't speaking ill of the supermodel, she went on to suggest that Banks would do better in a "shining" role, after maintaining her stance that "it is just not about you as the host."

"I think that show requires a lot of compassion and loving kindness, especially as the host," she continued. "So, I don't really need to say it. You know what I mean? I think it was a tough transition. Change is hard for everyone, you know, they've gone through a lot on that show. That's for sure. And you are just not the star as the host. Like, it is just not about you as the host. Right? So yeah, I think Tyra is great in a shining role. I will just say that."

Banks has received her fair share of criticism since taking over DWTS hosting duties from Tom Bergeron in season 29. From fashion moments to on-air flubs, Banks was hit particularly hard with blowback during her first season hosting, when she accidentally announced the wrong bottom two couples on live TV -- confusing the competitors, judges and fans at home.

"The world is angry at the talent, but there’s a whole control room and things happening and craziness going on," Banks said of the on-air mixup during an appearance at the Television Critics Association press tour in Aug. 2021.

"I was blamed for it, and it wasn’t me," she insisted. "And I think that’s very important to say."

Burke's comments about Banks as a host come not long after it was revealed that the show's executive producer, Andrew Llinares, was leaving the show after five seasons. 

Llinares, who took on the role ahead of Season 26, was the one who hired Banks as host and fellow EP.

DWTS is also shifting from its longtime home of ABC, to Disney+ when it returns for season 31.

"Dancing With the Stars has entertained fans for 16 years on ABC, and we are excited to bring this beloved show exclusively to Disney+ as the platform’s first-ever live series,” said Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. “The show’s broad appeal, as well as the overwhelming popularity of its Disney-themed competition nights, make Disney+ the perfect home for Dancing With the Stars while continuing to expand our demographic reach."

For more on DWTS, check out the video below.

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