UPDATED 5 p.m. March 16, 2017:
It was announced on March 16 that Tyra Banks also will be returning to her hosting duties on “America’s Next Top Model,” which was just renewed by VH1 for a second season (the previous 22 seasons aired on UPN and the CW). Banks replaces Rita Ora on the VH1 series. Production starts this summer.
Howie Mande on Sunday tweeted out the news that former supermodel/host of “America’s Next Top Model” is the new host of “America’s Got Talent.”
RETWEET NOW if you're excited for @TyraBanks on @nbcagt! pic.twitter.com/lpOxlxnJWi
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 12, 2017
Banks replaces Nick Cannon, who last month took to Facebook to abruptly announce his departure from the NBC hit reality series.
Banks also hosted her own talk show on the CW for five seasons. The show won two Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding talk show. She also was the first African-American woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“AGT” judges Simon Cowell (whose also an executive producer), Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel are all returning for the 12th season of the series, which returns this summer.