Her debut appearance has already received rave reviews, with viewers praising her on social media.

TYRA Banks has taken on a surprise new hosting gig on NBC after her Dancing With The Stars exit – and fans think it’s a ‘natural’ fit.

After stepping down from the ABC show in 2023, model Tyra, 51, is back on screen as a guest co-host on TODAY with Jenna & Friends.

Tyra Banks has taken on a surprise new hosting gig on NBC after her Dancing With The Stars exit – and fans think it’s a ‘natural’ fitCredit: NBC

She stepped down from the ABC show in 2023Credit: Getty
Her debut appearance has already been met with rave reviews, with viewers lauding her presenting style and chemistry with Jenna Bush Hager, 43.

The show’s Instagram account posted a video of Tyra’s first day on set, captioning it: “Day one with @tyrabanks: Tune in tomorrow for more fun! #jennaandfriends”.

Fans flooded the comments section with praise, with one writing, “Tyra’s a natural. There was nothing forced or overbearing on either part. Great show!”

Another added: “Loved her today. She did great and was funny!” while a third chimed in with, “She’s a professional! It shows! Two stars.”

Other fans were equally enthusiastic, with a fourth writing, “Loved loved loved!!!” and one more saying, “Tyra is the best co-host. After watching, I want more of her.”

Following Hoda Kotb’s exit in January, TODAY with Jenna & Friends has seen a stellar lineup of guest hosts – including Regina Hall, Ciara, Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer.

Tyra stepped down as host of Dancing With The Stars following much backlash in 2023.

At the time, the businesswoman said she “thinks it’s time” to leave behind the dancing competition.

Tyra told TMZ: “I think it’s time. I think my heart and soul are into my business. It’s also into producing TV.

“I really, really want to focus on my business and you can’t do that while hosting a show.

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“So you’ll see me creating things, not just hosting.”

The presenter explained that she was shifting her focus to her ice cream business SMiZE & Dream, which she launched in 2021.

“I’m really focused on business, like crazy focused,” she told the outlet.

“SMiZE & Dream is global so I feel it’s time for me to really focus on my business and my entrepreneurship.”

She added: “I think it’s time to graduate from the dance floor to the stock market floor. Mic drop.”

The TV personality hosted season 31 of DWTS alongside The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribiero in 2022.

GROWING TENSION

Her exit came after The U.S. Sun reported tension had been growing backstage, with many of her co-stars shocked she hosted for a second season.

According to the source, DWTS producers felt “Tyra has had struggles warming up to the team, contestants, and certainly the audience.

“There seems to be a disconnect again with viewers which always raises concerns.”

The insider continued: “We still get emails and comments about her performance and it is upsetting.

“The team works extraordinarily hard to deliver the best series every year, but the main focus of fans’ upset is the host.”

Over her two seasons, Tyra received a slew of backlash about her performance, her wild outfits, and a few major on-air mistakes, including messing up a call card on an elimination round.

“There are also concerns that she has not been out and about promoting the show as much as we’d like,” the source continued.

“Other hosts do a wealth of interviews and promotion for their shows, but she has not been out at all in the public eye.

“It is upsetting. If she did not have her executive producer role, some of us believe she would have already departed.”

She’s on screen as a guest co-host on TODAY with Jenna & FriendsCredit: NBC

Tyra’s chemistry with Jenna Bush Hager was praisedCredit: NBC