Carole Baskin performed to Eye Of The Tiger on Monday during the season 29 premiere of Dancing With The Stars on ABC that featured a new host and a new judge.
The 59-year-old big cat rights activist became a pop culture sensation following the release in March of the Netflix documentary Tiger King and was among the 15 celebrities competing amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
She was partnered with pro dancer Pasha Pashkov and they performed a paso doble routine that opened with Pasha in a cage with stuffed tiger animals.
Season premiere: Carole Baskin performed Eye Of The Tiger on Monday with pro partner Pasha Pashkov during the season 29 premiere of Dancing With The Stars on ABC
Baskin in a long skirt with tiger stripes and wearing a purple wreath freed Pasha from the cage as they performed to the Survivor song Eye Of The Tiger that was the theme for the 1982 sports movie Rocky III.
They received a score of 11 points from the judges and ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard at the end of the premiere.
‘Hey, all you cool cats and kittens,’ Baskin said using her catchphrase during her introduction video from Tampa, Florida. ‘My life got turned upside-down by the documentary Tiger King. If somebody told me last year that I would be on season 29 of Dancing With The Stars, I I would have laughed out loud.’
She was then shown meeting Pasha for the first time and greeting him with a handmade wreath that she placed on his head.
Animal activist: The 59-year-old big cat rights activist upon introduction made paws with her hands and clawed the camera
Introduction video: ‘Hey, all you cool cats and kittens,’ Baskin said using her catchphrase during her introduction video from Tampa, Florida. ‘My life got turned upside-down by the documentary Tiger King If somebody told me last year that I would be on season 29 of Dancing With The Stars, I I would have laughed out loud’
Dance practice: A video package showed Baskin practicing dance with stuffed tiger animals
Handmade wreath: Baskin greeted her new partner Pashkov with a handmade floral wreath that she put on his head
‘The whole outfit is screaming cats,’ Pashkov said after meeting Baskin who was wearing a leopard print top and trousers.
Tyra Banks, 46, made a stunning debut as new judge after replacing co-hosts Erin Andrews, 42, and Tom Bergeron, 65, who announced their departures in July.
The model looked runway ready as she strode into the ballroom in a long red dress with a small train and high thigh slit, matching long gloves and dangling earrings to open the live, two-hour show.
Banks told the audience that she watched the dancing competition show growing up with her family.
In cage: Their paso doble routine opened with Pashkov trapped in a cage
Rescue time: Baskin in a long skirt with tiger stripes and wearing a purple wreath freed Pasha from the cage as they performed to the Survivor song Eye Of The Tiger that was the theme for the 1982 sports movie Rocky III
New host: Tyra Banks, 46, made a stunning debut as new judge after replacing co-hosts Erin Andrews, 42, and Tom Bergeron, 65, who announced their departures in July
Runway ready: The model and America’s Next Top Model creator looked runway ready in a long red dress with a train
‘Look, mama, I’m in the ballroom! And I get to say, ”Welcome to Dancing With The Stars”,’ Banks said.
She then introduced the season 29 contestants who include Baskin, cheer team coach Monica Aldama, Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe, NFL star Vernon Davis, actress Skai Jackson, actress Justina Machado, TV host Jeannie Mai, Jesse Metcalfe, rapper Nelly, TV host Nev Schulman, real estate agent Chrishell Stause, Olympian Johnny Weir, film actress Anne Heche, former NBA star Charles Oakley and Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean.
Baskin upon introduction made paws with her hands and clawed the camera.
Show fan: Banks told the audience that she watched the dancing competition show growing up with her family
Banks, who also became an executive producer of DWTS, then explained how the ballroom received a pandemic makeover with social distancing between judges Carrie Ann Inaba, 52, Bruno Tonioli, 64, and newcomer Derek Hough, 35.
Former six-time champion Hough was replacing Len Goodman, 76, who could not travel from London due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.
McLean was teamed with pro dancer Cheryl Burke and they scored 18 for their first dance.
New look: Banks, who also became an executive producer of DWTS, changed outfits then explained how the ballroom received a makeover before welcoming judges Carrie Ann Inaba, 52, Bruno Tonioli, 64, and newcomer Derek Hough, 35
The judges: Inaba, Hough and Tonioli will evaluate the dancing couples during season 29
Past champion: Hough won DWTS a record six times before moving to the judging table
First dance: AJ McLean was teamed with pro dancer Cheryl Burke and they scored 18 for their first dance
Stause, 39, who stars in the Netflix reality show Selling Sunset, was up next with pro partner Gleb Savchenko and scored 13 points.
Davis, 36, and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd performed a foxtrot that earned positive reviews from the judges and 17 points.
Banks reminded Davis of the past success of NFL players on the dancing competition show and asked the Super Bowl champion if he felt any extra added pressure.
Netflix star: Chrishell Stause was among the three Netflix stars competing on the ABC show
Low score: Gleb Savchenko and Chrishell got a score of 13 points out of 30 from the judges
Nice moves: Burke choreographed the routine for the former boy band member
‘I feel the pressure, but I’m going to try and relax and stay calm,’ Davis said.
Heche, 51, danced a cha-cha with pro partner Keo Motsepe to the hit song Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa that ended with a big dramatic dip.
They earned scores of six from all three judges for 18 points.
Mae and pro partner Brandon Armstrong in neon green outfits performed a salsa that earned 18 points from the judges.
Foxtrot dance: Vernon Davis, 36, and pro partner Peta Murgatroyd performed a foxtrot that earned positive reviews from the judges and 17 points
Under pressure: Super Bowl champion Davis admitted feeling pressure following the success of former NFL stars on the show
Neon outfits: Jeannie Mai and pro partner Brandon Armstrong in neon green outfits performed a salsa that earned 18 points from the judges
Dance song: Anne Heche, 51, danced a cha-cha with pro partner Keo Motsepe to the hit song Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa that ended with a big dramatic dip
Metcalfe, 41, and pro partner Sharna Burgess performed a quickstep that Hough called a ‘great first dance’.
They earned a scored of 18 points from the judges.
The show’s youngest competitor Jackson, 18, and pro partner Alan Bersten scored 21 points and became early favorites.
Fast feet: Jesse Metcalfe, 41, and pro partner Sharna Burgess performed a quickstep for their first dance
Getting close: The Desperate Housewives star embraced Burgess during their routine
Youngest competitor: The show’s youngest competitor Skai Jackson, 18, and pro partner Alan Bersten scored 21 points and became early favorites
The Bachelorette star Bristowe, 35, performed a cha-cha with pro partner Artem Chigvintsev, 38, who returned to the show after not appearing on season 28.
Bristowe and Chigvintsev, who recently welcomed a son with fiancee Nikki Bella, received a score of 20 points from the judges.
Catfish host Schulman, 35, danced a foxtrot with Jenna Johnson that the judges raved about before awarding them a score of 20 points.
Bachelorette star: Kaitlyn Bristowe, 35, performed a cha-cha with pro partner Artem Chigvintsev, 38, who returned to the show after not appearing on season 28
Smooth moves: Catfish host Nev Schulman, 35, danced a foxtrot with Jenna Johnson that the judges raved about before awarding them a score of 20 points
Goodman made an appearance via video and said he would be keeping an eye on the dancers during the season before giving Banks a ’10’.
Weir, 36, was partnered with Britt Stewart who was making her debut as a pro dancer on the show.
They performed a cha-cha that earned cheers in the rafters from fellow contestants and a score of 18 from the judges.
Skating star: Johnny Weir, 36, was partnered with Britt Stewart and they performed a cha-cha routine
Pro debut: Britt made her debut as a pro dancer on DWTS
New look: Tonioli was having fun with his new blonde look
Video message: Len Goodman made an appearance via video and said he would be keeping an eye on the dancers during the season before giving Banks a ’10’
One Day At A Time star Machado, 48, was paired with pro dancer Sasha Farber. They hyped up the ballroom with their energy while performing and earned 21 points from the judges.
Former NBA star Oakley, 56, was teamed with pro partner Emma Slater and they danced a salsa that earned a score of 12 from the judges.
Aldama, who was featured in the Netflix docuseries Cheer, was partnered with pro dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy and admitted to him that she was ‘terrified’.
Trophy seekers: Charles Oakley, Skai Jackson, Anne Heche and Monica Aldama practiced social distancing during the premiere
TV star: One Day At A Time star Justina Machado, 48, was paired with pro dancer Sasha Farber
Hip action: Inaba loved the way that Machado moved and showed her own version
Great chemistry: Machado and Farber had great chemistry and lots of energy
Fun routine: Farber choreographed a fun routine for Machado who admitted to having little dance experience
High score: The highest scores of the premiere were the 21 points handed to Machado and Jackson
They danced a foxtrot to My Wish by Rascal Flatts and earned a scored of 19 points.
Nelly, 45, and pro dancer Daniella Karagach performed a salsa to his song Ride With Me that ended with the rapper and singer doing a backflip.
Tonioli said their interplay was ‘fun’, while Inaba admitted that she was surprised by Nelly’s backflip before the judges awarded them with 16 points.
Good job: Hough praised the performances while pointing out areas for improvement
Baskin then performed and afterward Inaba admitted that she herself was a ‘crazy cat’ lady and praised Baskin for not holding back.
Hough told Baskin that she ‘smashed’ her paso doble dance, while Tonioli teased her about her claw moves.
Big cat refuge owner Baskin in the Netflix series Tiger King sought to shut down the for-profit operations of big cat breeder Joseph Maldonado-Passage, whose nickname is ‘Joe Exotic’.
Maldonado-Passage is serving a 22-year federal prison term for killing five tigers and plotting to have Baskin killed. In June, a federal judge awarded Baskin ownership of the private Oklahoma zoo run by Maldonado-Passage.
Dancing With The Stars will return Tuesday, September 22, on ABC with the first elimination of the season.
Virtual reality: Baskin also was shown firming up her muscles with virtual reality exercises before going to Los Angeles
Netflix series: Big cat refuge owner Baskin in the Netflix series Tiger King sought to shut down the for-profit operations of big cat breeder Joseph Maldonado-Passage, whose nickname is ‘Joe Exotic’
Tyra Banks Makes Ballroom Debut as Host of Dancing With The Stars
Tyra Banks took over the ballroom as the new host of Dancing With The stars during Monday night’s highly anticipated season 29 premiere on ABC.
The 46-year-old supermodel, who replaced show veterans Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, donned a stunning bright red ball gown and matching arm-length gloves.
‘Whoo! Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe it. I’m finally here. My family and I have been fans of this show since day one. And look, mama, I’m in the ballroom!’ shouted Banks excitedly into her microphone.
‘Welcome to Dancing with the stars! Right here, right now!’
Hostess with the mostess: Tyra Banks took the dance floor as the new host of Dancing With The stars during Monday night’s highly anticipated season 29 premiere on ABC
Tyra rocked a voluminous head of curls and a dramatic face of feature flattering makeup as she reacted animatedly to the show’s prerecorded applause.
She spoke directly to viewers at home and admitted how much of a ‘dream come true’ her hosting gig on Dancing With The Stars was for her.
Tyra added: ‘I’m so grateful to be a part of this incredible legacy.’
In an effortless transition, Tyra addressed the social-distancing guidelines in place, down to the positioning of the judges and dancers and even the layout of the show’s iconic ballroom.
Stunning: The 46-year-old supermodel, who replaced show veterans Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, donned a stunning bright red ball gown and matching arm-length gloves
All the drama: Tyra rocked a voluminous head of curls and a dramatic face of feature flattering makeup as she reacted animatedly to the show’s prerecorded applause
‘As you can see, to ensure the safety of our cast and our phenomenal crew, we’ve given the ballroom a serious makeover. Even the judges have made some room for social distancing,’ said the former America’s Next Top Model host.
She then introduced the judges for season 29, which included series regulars Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba and the newly added Derek Hough.
‘And we want to welcome our new judge, six-time mirror ball champion, Derek Hough, announced Tyra, before inquiring about the 35-year-old pro dancer’s excitement towards his new gig.
‘This is where America first met you, as a dancer, and now you’re a judge. What is it like to be on that side of the desk?’
Outfit change: After Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean ‘shot right out of the cannon’ with his dance partner Cheryl Burke with the jive, Banks returned to the floor in an eye-popping fuchsia pantsuit with flared legs
Social-distancing: ‘As you can see, to ensure the safety of our cast and our phenomenal crew, we’ve given the ballroom a serious makeover. Even the judges have made some room for social distancing,’ said the former America’s Next Top Model host
Derek gushed over how much Dancing With The Stars ‘means to [him]’ and that he is ‘so excited to be here.’
Tyra explained to viewers that veteran judge Len Goodman ‘wasn’t able to safely travel from the U.K. to the United States,’ hence why Hough replaced him.
Goodman, 76, appeared virtually during Monday night’s premiere to congratulate Derek, encourage the competitors, and to give Tyra a ’10’ for her performance as host.
‘Guess what. You’re getting a 10 from Len,’ said Goodman with a smile, to which Tyra replied: ‘Oh, thanks, Len. Wow. A 10 from Len. I’m going to tear up.’
Introductions: Tyra introduced the judges for season 29, which included series regulars Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba and the newly added Derek Hough
New judge: ‘And we want to welcome our new judge, six-time mirror ball champion, Derek Hough, announced Tyra, before inquiring about the 35-year-old pro dancer’s excitement towards his new gig
After Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean ‘shot right out of the cannon’ with his dance partner Cheryl Burke with the jive, Banks returned to the floor in an eye-popping fuchsia pantsuit.
Tyra did not hold back as she engaged in frequent laugh-filled banter with the judges, coaches, and celebrity contestants, while keeping in tune with the show’s fast paced format.
In the style of her hit series America’s Next Top Model, Tyra came in clutch with the colloquialisms as she reacted to the judges’ scores.
At one point, Derek, Carrie Ann, and Bruno gave Extra TV host Jeannie Mai and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong high praise for their energetic salsa, while only delivering a collective score of 18 out of 30.
Which, at that point in the show, was the fourth 18 point score of the evening.
Checking in: Len Goodman, 76, appeared virtually during Monday night’s premiere to congratulate Derek, encourage the competitors, and to give Tyra a ’10’ for her performance as host
10 from Len: ‘Guess what. You’re getting a 10 from Len,’ said Goodman with a smile, to which Tyra replied: ‘Oh, thanks, Len. Wow. A 10 from Len. I’m going to tear up’
‘These judges are shady. They are shady. Right? I’m sorry. The shade in the room, and the tea that is being sipped at home right now,’ remarked Tyra playfully as she fanned herself with her cue card.
Banks experienced a minor wardrobe malfunction towards the end of Monday night’s broadcast, but she shook off the incident like a total pro
‘I lost an earring,’ she announced, before untangling a single chandelier earrings from her hair.
‘I promised y’all that I was gonna be REAL real [on this show]. I may pass it to you, Carrie Ann. Take this earring, girl. Catch. Scores?’
After all 15 competitors performed their dance routines out on the ballroom floor, Tyra reminded viewers at home to ‘cast [their] votes next Tuesday night’ for their favorites.
Banter: Tyra did not hold back as she engaged in frequent laugh-filled banter with the judges, coaches, and celebrity contestants, while keeping in tune with the show’s fast paced format
‘The glitter has been flying. That was bananas crazy, off the chain. It was the first night for all these stars and they brought it,’ as she began closing out the lengthy season premiere.
‘You guys, I had such a great time tonight. I hope you did, too. Thank you so much for welcoming me into this ballroom,’ she concluded.
Tyra in addition to her new hosting duty also became an executive producer of Dancing With The Stars.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model created the series America’s Next Top Model.
Tyra Banks is BLASTED on Twitter as fans react to her Dancing With The Stars host debut
Tyra Banks bravely made her debut as host of Dancing With The Stars on Monday evening during the show’s season 29 premiere.
And fans of the long-running celebrity competition series took to Twitter to ruthlessly BLAST the 46-year-old supermodel’s performance.
A majority of the tweets desperately begged for the return of veteran hosts Tom Bergeron, 65, and Erin Andrews, 42, who were shockingly canned in July.
Ruthless: Fans of Dancing With The Stars took to Twitter to ruthlessly BLAST Tyra Bank’s host debut during Monday night’s season 29 premiere
Bergeron had been with the Dancing With The Stars franchise since it launched in 2005, while his former co-host Andrews joined the show in 2014.
In an interview with Extra earlier this month, Andrews revealed that her and Tom’s unexpected dismissals from Dancing With The Stars ‘was a surprise’ and that hers came via phone call.
Though there was never a direct reason given as to why the pair were axed, Valerie Bruce, general manager of LA Productions, stated that Dancing With The Stars was being taken ‘in a new creative direction’ for season 29.
She also offered her, ‘sincere thanks to Tom and Erin, whom we will always consider part of the Dancing with the Stars’ family.’
Bring them back: A majority of the tweets desperately begged for the return of veteran hosts Tom Bergeron, 65, and Erin Andrews, 42, who were shockingly canned in July; Tom and Erin pictured in 2019
The pair were let go just days before DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Tyra Banks would be taking over their hosting gig.
‘Can Tyra please be the first one sent home?’ wrote one fan, referencing to the series’ nerve-wracking weekly eliminations.
Another Twitter user declared that replacing Tom and Erin with Tyra ‘replaced the heart of the show.’
‘Nothing against her, but it just sounds so off when you hear her voice instead of Tom Bergeron’s. On a year where people WANT comfort of the familiar… it’s just a really poor decision,’ they explained.
Loss of heart: One Twitter user declared that replacing Tom and Erin with Tyra ‘replaced the heart of the show’
Witch hunt: Many fans on Twitter aggressively attacked the higher-ups at Dancing With The Stars for ‘firing’ Tom and Erin
On blast: ‘Who ever came up with putting Tyra on this show needs to be fired,’ mirrored another
Many fans on Twitter aggressively attacked the higher-ups at Dancing With The Stars for ‘firing’ Tom and Erin.
‘The person who fired Tom Bergeron and replaced him with Tyra Banks needs be run out of town. She’s awful,’ one wrote.
‘Who ever came up with putting Tyra on this show needs to be fired,’ mirrored another.
The Twitter user also added a gif of Justin Timberlake from one of his appearances on SNL to the tweet, which read: ‘Bad idea. Shouldn’t have done that.’
They went there: One fan went as far as to label Tom’s dismissal from Dancing With The Stars as ageist, being that he is 65 and Tyra is 46
The Tyra show: Devout Dancing With The Stars viewers accused Banks of making the show ‘all about her,’ due to her frequent comments and her eye-catching ensembles worn during the premiere episode
Familiar: Many compared Bank’s scene stealing ensemble that she wore for her grand entrance to a ‘Bath & Body Works’ luffa
One fan went as far as to label Tom’s dismissal from Dancing With The Stars as ageist, being that he is 65 and Tyra is 46.
‘Friendly reminder that Tom Bergeron being fired from #DWTS is ageist,’ they began. ‘Tyra Banks is a terrible host and Carole Baskin killed her husband.’
Devout Dancing With The Stars viewers accused Banks of making the show ‘all about her,’ due to her frequent comments and her eye-catching ensembles worn during the premiere episode.
‘The show just started and Tyra already got on my nerves,’ read on tweet, followed by a rolling eye emoji.
Nope: One fan said that Tyra was ‘trying too hard to be funny’ and that her attempts at humor were ‘not working’
Nerved up: ‘The show just started and Tyra already got on my nerves,’ read on tweet, followed by a rolling eye emoji
And it’s gone: ‘My face lit up when I saw the dancers…then Tyra walked out,’ tweeted a fan, who was clearly not feeling Tyra’s energy
One fan said that Tyra was ‘trying too hard to be funny’ and that her attempts at humor were ‘not working.’
‘At least Tyra isn’t making it all about her,’ one fan sarcastically tweeted, while attaching an image of Tyra wearing a bright red ball gown and matching arm-length gloves on the show.
Many compared Bank’s scene stealing ensemble that she wore for her grand entrance to a ‘Bath & Body Works’ luffa.
‘My face lit up when I saw the dancers…then Tyra walked out,’ tweeted a fan, who was clearly not feeling Tyra’s energy.
Even worse: One clearly unimpressed DWTS viewer labeled Tyra as the ‘most hated woman on DWTS this season,’ above the polarizing Tiger King star Carole Baskin
Ouch: Despite the online backlash, Banks looked in her element as she guided the viewers, judges, dancers, and competitors through Monday night’s season premiere
One clearly unimpressed DWTS viewer labeled Tyra as the ‘most hated woman on DWTS this season,’ above the polarizing Tiger King star Carole Baskin.
Despite the online backlash, Banks looked in her element as she guided the viewers, judges, dancers, and competitors through Monday night’s season premiere.
‘Whoo! Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe it. I’m finally here. My family and I have been fans of this show since day one. And look, mama, I’m in the ballroom!’ shouted Banks excitedly into her microphone as she entered the ballroom.
‘Welcome to Dancing with the stars! Right here, right now!’
Tyra rocked a voluminous head of curls and a dramatic face of feature flattering makeup as she reacted animatedly to the show’s prerecorded applause.
Dancing With The Stars Injuries
In 2006, season two contestant Romeo Miller withdrew from Dancing With The Stars due to an injury and was replaced by his father Master P.
Pro dancer Derek Hough during season six in 2008 pulled his neck during rehearsal and missed a week of dancing.
Derek during season seven also blacked out during rehearsal after tripping and landing on the back of his head.
Season seven also saw the departure of Misty May-Treanor after she was injured during practice and ruptured her Achilles tendon.
Rehearsal injury: Misty May-Treanor is shown with host Tom Bergeron in October 2008 as she revealed rupturing her Achilles tendon during practice on Dancing With The Stars
Brooke Burke also severely bruised her foot during season seven during camera blocking when she landed hard doing a front flip with pro partner Derek.
Susan Lucci during season seven fractured two bones in her foot, but remained in the competition.
Nancy O’Dell withdrew from season eight due to a torn meniscus, along with Jewel who fractured both her tibias just before the season premiere.
Steve-O also suffered a pulled back muscle during dress rehearsal in season eight and was unable to perform the salsa live.
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay during season nine withdrew from the competition in week three after injuring his foot during rehearsals before the premiere.
Billy Dee Williams was forced to withdraw from season 18 due to a chronic back problem.
Early exit; Billy Dee Williams withdrew early from season 18 due to a chronic back problem
Pro dancer Mark Ballas during season 22 injured his back during rehearsal and was unable to perform for a week with his partner, UFC fighter Paige VanZant.
Pro dancer Sharna Burgess during season 23 injured her knee during rehearsal with James Hinchcliffe and was out for two weeks.
Pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy during season 24 suffered a calf muscle injury during rehearsal with Heather Morris and was replaced by dance troupe member Alan Bersten during a four-week recovery period.
Christie Brinkley broke her arm during practice five days before the season 28 premiere and was replaced by her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook.
Ray Lewis was forced to withdraw from season 28 after suffering three torn tendons in his foot during practice ahead of week three Movie Night. He re-aggravated an injury from 2010 while playing football for the Baltimore Ravens.
Country singer Lauren Alaina during Halloween Week of season 28 revealed that she’d been dancing with ‘four hurt ribs,’ having broken one during the first week of the show, and noting the others ‘don’t feel great’.
Stepping in: Christie Brinkley broke her arm during practice five days before the season 28 premiere of DWTS and was replaced by her daughter Sailor Brinkley-Cook
