by Taylor Handberry Staggers

September 2, 2020

On Wednesday morning, ABC revealed the season 29 cast of ‘Dancing with the Stars (DWTS),’ and we are pleasantly surprised by the diversity.

The reveal also confirmed that Tyra Banks will be the new host of DWTS, making her the first African American woman to do so.

“It’s nice to be first so you can open that door and let so many people in after you.”@tyrabanks says she’s excited to be the new host of @dancingABC!

Banks will be the show's first solo host and the show's first African-American female host. https://t.co/ZGK6MpSV6Z pic.twitter.com/O7fz8BeAAs

— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 15, 2020

Six out of fifteen contestants on the new season are Black or a person of color. They are:

“Hot in Herre” rapper Nelly

Former Chicago Bull Charles Oakley

Child star Skai Jackson

Former NFL Star Vernon Davis

The Real Co-Host Jeannie Mai

Six Feet Under Actress Justina Machado

Another surprising addition to the line up is quirky and potentially murderous Carole Baskin from Netflix’s infamous docuseries, Tiger King.

Tell Us: Who are you rooting for?

TV One

Celebrity Virgos

31 photos Launch gallery

Celebrity Virgos

1. Kobe Bryant- August 23

Source:Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images 1 of 31

2. Ava DuVernay- August 24

Source:Gilbert Carrasquillo/WireImage 2 of 31

3. Dave Chappelle- August 24

Source:Charley Gallay/Getty Images 3 of 31

4. Keke Palmer- August 26

Source:J. Countess/Getty Images 4 of 31

5. Mase- August 27

Source:Theo Wargo/Getty Images 5 of 31

6. Michael Jackson- August 29

Source:Phil Dent/Redferns 6 of 31

7. Chris Tucker - August 31st

Source:Photo by Kurt Krieger/Corbis via Getty Images 7 of 31

8. Zendaya- September 1st

Source:Christian Gilles / Newspix via Getty Images 8 of 31

9. Katt Williams- September 2

Source:Jesse Grant/WireImage 9 of 31

10. Beyoncé- September 4

Source:Mike Coppola/Getty Images 10 of 31

11. Damon Wayans- September 4

Source:Kevin Winter/Getty Images 11 of 31

12. Deborah Joy Winans- September 6

Source:David Livingston/Getty Images 12 of 31

13. Idris Elba- September 6

Source:Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images 13 of 31

14. Leslie Jones- September 7

Source:John Shearer/Getty Images 14 of 31

15. Eazy-E- September 7

Source:Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 15 of 31

16. Taraji P. Henson- September 11

Source:Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images 16 of 31

17. Ludacris- September 11

Source:Rich Fury/Getty Images 17 of 31

18. Iyanla Vanzant- September 13

Source:Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images 18 of 31

19. Tyler Perry- September 13

Source:Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images 19 of 31

20. Nas- September 14

Source:Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Pandor 20 of 31

21. B.B. King- September 16

Source:Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 21 of 31

22. Malik Yoba- September 17

Source:J Carter Rinaldi/FilmMagic 22 of 31

23. Danielle Brooks- September 17

Source:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images 23 of 31

24. Doug E. Fresh- September 17

Source:Araya Diaz/Getty Images 24 of 31

25. Angela Simmons- September 18

Source:Cooper Neill/Getty Images 25 of 31

26. Jada Pinkett Smith- September 18

Source:Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy 26 of 31

27. Sanaa Lathan- September 19

Source:Presley Ann/Getty Images 27 of 31

28. Alfonso Ribeiro- September 21

Source:Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images 28 of 31

29. Jennifer Hudson- September 21

Source:Frazer Harrison/Getty Images 29 of 31

30. Anthony Mackie- September 23

Source:Anthony Harvey/Getty Images 30 of 31

31. Ray Charles- September 23

Source:James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images 31 of 31

Skip ad

TV One Continue reading The Culture is Surprisingly Represented in the Newly Announced Dancing with The Stars Cast

Celebrity Virgos