Alfonso Ribeiro is looking forward to another year of cohosting Dancing With the Stars alongside Julianne Hough . “I can’t wait to tackle that stage with Julianne. The both of us together — especially over the last year — we’ve gotten to be really close friends, and we enjoy working with each other,” Ribeiro, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly on Tuesday, August 27, while promoting his partnership with Bob Evans .
“I think it’s going to be a magical season for the both of us.” Ribeiro won season 19 of DWTS alongside partner Witney Carson in 2014 before returning to cohost season 31 with Tyra Banks in 2022. Hough, 36, took over for Banks, 50, for season 32 in 2023.
Although winning the mirrorball trophy was exciting, Ribeiro is happy to be in his hosting era. “I like hosting because that job gets to come back every year. Competing, you get one shot at it,” he said.
“I love this job. Becoming a host has been, truly, I think what I was destined to do from the beginning. I think all the other jobs I’ve done in my life kind of led up to me becoming a host and allowing me to do that specific job.
” Ribeiro added that he loves being part of “the highs and lows” and getting to “really connect with the pros and the celebrities” throughout the competition. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum is looking forward to the season 33 cast reveal and approves of the first casting announcement : Olympic gymnast and pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik . “So e.