Julianne Hough In The Hot Seat: Why 'DWTS' Fans Are Calling For A New Host
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 15, 2024 at 9:15 AM EDT
Julianne Hough is feeling the heat from "Dancing With the Stars" fans, as the latest social media chatter calls for her to be replaced as co-host.
Hough, who stepped into the role after Tyra Banks was let go due to backlash for her hosting style, is now the subject of criticism herself.
Despite her long-standing connection to the show, some viewers believe Julianne Hough hasn’t quite hit the mark as co-host.
'DWTS' Fans Call For Julianne Hough To Be Replaced As Co-Host
Julianne Hough was announced as the new co-host of "Dancing With the Stars" in March 2023, following Tyra Banks' departure.
The model hosted the show from 2020 to 2022 but faced significant backlash from fans and critics. They felt her style was too over-the-top and didn’t mesh with the competition's traditional feel, ultimately sparking ongoing calls for a change in hosting.
Hough, a former "DWTS" pro dancer, and two-time champion, seemed like a natural fit to step into the role, given her deep connection to the show. The change was seen as a move to return to the show's roots, with a host more in tune with the dance community and its legacy.
She now co-hosts alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, who has been with the show since 2022. Fans initially welcomed Hough’s return, seeing her as a breath of fresh air, though she, too, has recently faced some criticism regarding her hosting style.
Why Fans Want Julianne Hough Out As Co-Host Of 'DWTS'
The latest "DWTS" hot take is aimed at Julianne Hough, who fans are now dubbing "awkward" during her interviews with the celebrity contestants.
"Julianne is always so awkward interviewing the celebrities," one TikToker said before elaborating, "I can't remember who she was interviewing specifically this week, where she misplaced her question card, and so she was just stumbling over her words for a few seconds, trying to come up with a question."
"But she ultimately couldn't, so then she spent a few more seconds looking for her card and eventually found it, but this is live TV," the social media user continued. "There is no time to go back and edit these miscues. You just have to roll with it."
In addition to that specific moment, the "DWTS" fan said they "just feel like she doesn't have the ability to create fluid conversation unless she's reading something off a script or reading a question off a card."
Who Do Fans Want To Replace Julianne Hough?
Despite some fans calling Julianne Hough "awkward" during her celebrity interviews, they don’t want the show to go too far in replacing her. In fact, they have a simple solution—swap her role with Alfonso Ribeiro’s.
Viewers are suggesting that Hough should be the one on the dance floor, standing by as the judges critique the routines, while Ribeiro heads to the skybox to handle the celebrity interviews. This switch, they believe, would play to each host's strengths and improve the overall flow of the show.
"It'd be better if she and Alfonso switched places so he'd be the one interviewing the contestants," one fan expressed. "I agree. Let’s switch it up and have Alfonso up top. He’s amazing," another replied.
"They just need to switch her and Alfonso!" a third echoed. "He was so good in the skybox with great improv and chemistry with everyone. She can be the serious one on the floor."
Others 'Love' Julianne Hough And Don't Want To See A Change
While some fans are calling for a hosting shakeup, others are standing by Julianne Hough, voicing their support and love for the professional dancer. Many have praised her deep connection to "DWTS" and her passion for the show, defending her role as host and arguing that she brings a unique energy that’s hard to replace.
"No. I love Julianne Hough... she is awesome," one TikToker said.
"I love Julianne as a host’ just let her do her job. She’s beautiful," another expressed.
"I feel like people are just extra critical of the host that ends up doing the post-dance interviews, people also had similar critiques when Erin Andrews was the one doing them," a third pointed out.
More On 'DWTS' Season 33
Last week, "Dancing With the Stars" delivered a dramatic double elimination, saying goodbye to two celebrity couples. Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart, as well as Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater, were sent packing after falling short in combined judges' scores and viewer votes from Soul Train Night and Hair Metal Night.
The competition returns on Tuesday, October 15, with a special episode where the remaining couples will hit the ballroom to honor the people and institutions that have made a lasting impact on their lives.
