Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are "really close friends."
Photo Credit: Christopher Willard/Disney via Getty Images

DWTS Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough ‘Really Close Friends’

Alfonso Ribeiro is looking forward to another year of enjoying the ballroom, enjoying the dances, and cohosting Dancing with the Stars. He’s especially looking forward to doing it all alongside cohost and close friend Julianne Hough.

Alfonso participated in season 19 of DWTS with Witney Carson in 2014. He went on to win the competition and returned to cohost season 31 with Tyra Banks. Julianne took over hosting for Tyra in 2023 for season 32 and joined Alfonso. The two have become great friends.

Alfonso Ribeiro is embracing his hosting era

“I can’t wait to tackle that stage with Julianne,” Afonso told US Weekly. “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,” he shared. “I think it’s going to be a magical season for both of us.”

Although winning the mirrorball trophy was a red-letter day for Alfonso, he’s quite happy to be firmly in his hosting era. Especially since that means he gets to come back every season.

“I like hosting because that job gets me to come back every year,” he explained. “Competing, you get one shot at it. I love this job. Becoming a host has been, truly, what I think I was destined to do from the beginning.”

Additionally, he said, “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.”

Alfonso said that he loves being part of the “highs and lows” and getting to “connect with the pros and the celebrities” throughout the competition.

All in all, the former star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is excited about Season 33 and the upcoming cast reveals. He was thrilled with the first casting announcement — Olympic athlete and pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik.

“So excited to have him,” Alfonso shared. “Every year it’s always a great cast.”

TELL US – DO YOU ENJOY ALFONSO ON DANCING WITH THE STARS? ARE THERE ANY CELEBRITIES YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE NEW SEASON?

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