The Perfect Ballroom Duo: Who Is The Host On Dancing With The Stars Right Now? (2025)

The iconic dance competition show, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), continues to captivate audiences with its blend of celebrity star power, dazzling choreography, and live ballroom drama. As of December 2025, the show is helmed by a dynamic and deeply experienced duo who bring a unique energy to the ballroom. The current co-hosts are the former mirrorball champion and beloved actor, Alfonso Ribeiro, and the multi-talented professional dancer, former judge, and Emmy Award-winner, Julianne Hough. Their partnership, which began with Season 32, has successfully ushered the show into a new era on both ABC and Disney+, providing a fresh, dance-centric perspective that connects with both new and long-time fans.

The transition in the hosting lineup has been one of the most talked-about changes in the show's history. After the departure of previous hosts, the producers turned to two individuals with deep roots in the DWTS family. This choice ensures that the current hosts not only understand the technical demands of the live show but also the emotional journey of the celebrity contestants. The pairing of Ribeiro’s comedic timing and Julianne Hough’s extensive dance knowledge has proven to be a winning combination for the show’s ongoing success.

Meet the Current DWTS Hosts: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough

The decision to pair Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough was a strategic move to bring a sense of nostalgia, expertise, and natural chemistry back to the main stage. Both co-hosts have extensive résumés that go far beyond the ballroom, establishing them as major entertainment figures.

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Alfonso Ribeiro: The Champion Turned Master of Ceremonies

• Full Name: Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro, Sr.
• Born: September 21, 1971, in New York City, New York.
• Career Highlights: Actor, comedian, director, dancer, and television host.
• Iconic Role: Best known globally for playing the unforgettable Carlton Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), a role that cemented his place in pop culture history.
• DWTS History: Ribeiro is a former Mirrorball Trophy champion, winning Season 19 in 2014 with professional partner Witney Carson. This experience gives him unique insight and empathy for the contestants.
• Other Hosting Roles: He has also hosted popular game shows, including Catch 21 and America's Funniest Home Videos.

Ribeiro’s transition to the main host role was seamless. His energy is infectious, and his ability to engage with the contestants, offering encouragement based on his own experience, is a significant asset to the show. He officially became the main host in Season 31 before being joined by Hough.

Julianne Hough: From Pro Dancer to Co-Host

• Full Name: Julianne Alexandra Hough
• Born: July 20, 1988, in Orem, Utah.
• Career Highlights: Professional ballroom dancer, singer, actress, and television personality. She is a two-time professional champion on DWTS and an Emmy Award-winner for choreography.
• DWTS History: Julianne first joined the show as a professional dancer in 2007, winning Season 4 with Apolo Anton Ohno and Season 5 with Hélio Castroneves. She later served as a judge for multiple seasons, starting in 2014. Her return as co-host for Season 32 alongside Ribeiro brought her full-circle.
• Film and Music: Hough has starred in major films like Footloose (2011) and Safe Haven (2013), and has a successful career as a country music singer.

Julianne Hough’s deep technical knowledge of ballroom and Latin dance styles—from the Quickstep to the Paso Doble—allows her to offer insightful, dance-focused commentary during the interviews in the Skybox. Her rapport with the judges, including her brother Derek Hough, and the professional dancers is a key element of the show's current atmosphere.

The Dynamic Duo: What Makes the Alfonso & Julianne Partnership Work?

The current hosting dynamic, which has been in place since Season 32, is widely praised for its high energy and natural flow. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough share a great rapport, which is essential for guiding a live, high-stakes competition show.

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Their success lies in their complementary roles and shared history with the program:

• The Insider's Perspective: Both hosts are former competitors and champions. They understand the pressure cooker environment of the ballroom and can genuinely connect with the celebrities and their professional partners. This "insider" knowledge is a powerful tool for eliciting authentic reactions and stories.
• Complementary Skill Sets: Ribeiro often takes the lead on the main stage, managing the flow of the show with his established comedic timing and experience as a game show host. Hough typically conducts the post-performance interviews in the Skybox, where her technical expertise shines, allowing her to discuss the nuances of the choreography and performance technique with the dancers.
• Restoring the 'Family' Feel: Following the single-host format of Tyra Banks, the return to a co-host arrangement has helped restore the collaborative, family-like atmosphere that long-time fans cherished during the Tom Bergeron era. The hosts tease a new energy and style, which is evident in their on-screen chemistry.

A Look Back: The History of Dancing with the Stars Hosts

Dancing with the Stars has had a rotating cast of presenters since its debut in 2005. Understanding the history of the DWTS hosts provides crucial context for the current era and highlights the significance of the roles Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough now hold. The show's hosting chair has been a coveted and sometimes controversial position.

The original and longest-serving host was the beloved Tom Bergeron, who anchored the show for 28 seasons. His witty banter, professionalism, and ability to manage the live chaos became synonymous with the show's identity.

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Key Hosts Throughout DWTS History (Entity List)

The following individuals have all held a hosting or co-hosting role on the show:

• Tom Bergeron: (Seasons 1–28, 2005–2019) – The original and most iconic host, known for his professionalism and humor.
• Lisa Canning: (Season 1, 2005) – Co-hosted the inaugural season.
• Samantha Harris: (Seasons 2–9, 2006–2009) – Co-host during the early successful seasons.
• Brooke Burke: (Seasons 10–17, 2010–2013) – Former DWTS champion who transitioned to a co-hosting role.
• Erin Andrews: (Seasons 18–28, 2014–2019) – Sports reporter who co-hosted alongside Bergeron.
• Tyra Banks: (Seasons 29–31, 2020–2022) – Took over as the solo host and executive producer, marking a significant change in the show’s format and tone.
• Alfonso Ribeiro: (Main Host since Season 31, Co-host Season 32–Present)
• Julianne Hough: (Co-Host since Season 32–Present)

The shift from the long-running duo of Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews to a solo host (Tyra Banks) and then back to a duo with former DWTS family members (Ribeiro and Hough) reflects the show's evolution and its commitment to finding the perfect balance between entertainment, expertise, and connection with the audience on both ABC and its new home on Disney+.

The DWTS Ecosystem: Judges and Network

To fully understand the current landscape of Dancing with the Stars, it is important to acknowledge the other key figures who share the stage with the hosts: the esteemed panel of judges. The current judges are a blend of ballroom legends and DWTS veterans:

• Carrie Ann Inaba: The longest-serving judge, known for her focus on the emotional and performance quality of the dances.
• Bruno Tonioli: The flamboyant and energetic judge, celebrated for his dramatic and descriptive critiques.
• Derek Hough: A six-time Mirrorball champion and Julianne Hough's brother, who joined the panel after his legendary career as a professional dancer on the show. He is often praised for his technical and constructive feedback.

This powerful team of hosts and judges—Ribeiro, Hough, Inaba, Tonioli, and Hough—are the faces of the show, which airs live on ABC and streams simultaneously on Disney+. The combination of their collective experience, including their time as professional dancers, champions, and judges, ensures that the judging and hosting are handled by people who genuinely understand the art of ballroom dance and the heart of the competition.