Jake Miller
Tyra Banks joined America's Got Talent as its first female host in 2017. However, in 2018, reports began circulating that Banks was planning to leave the show to focus on other projects. While Banks never publicly confirmed her departure, she hinted at a massive project that would require her full attention. In 2019, it was officially announced that Banks would not be returning as the host of America's Got Talent and that Terry Crews would be taking over as the new permanent host.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for leaving | To focus on producing TV and movies and other "major projects" |
| Tyra's statement | "I don’t know [if I’ll be coming back], I think I had a really nice run with AGT. I had a lot, a lot of fun. I’m really focusing on Life-Size — I’m going to be producing TV and I have a massive project starting next year. I’m not so sure, but if I don’t come back, I had a lot of fun." |
| Replacement | Terry Crews |
| Fan reaction | Tyra Banks will be missed |
| Lawsuit | America's Got Talent was sued in 2017 after Tyra Banks allegedly "physically manipulated and verbally abused" a young contestant |
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What You'll Learn
Tyra Banks left AGT to focus on producing TV and movies
Tyra Banks joined America's Got Talent (AGT) in 2017 and became the show's first female host. However, in 2018, reports began circulating that she was planning to leave the show. Banks herself hinted at the possibility of her departure, telling Access:
> "I don't know [if I'll be coming back]. I think I had a really nice run with AGT. I had a lot, a lot of fun. I'm really focusing on Life-Size — I'm going to be producing TV and I have a massive project starting next year. I'm not so sure, but if I don't come back, I had a lot of fun."
Banks also spoke about this "massive project" in an interview with Deadline, stating:
> "It is so massive. It’s really making me look at everything that I’m doing and saying, 'What can I peel off? What can I not do? What can I truly focus on?' It’s coming out in the fall of next year."
Indeed, Banks had several major projects in the works at the time, including the TV movie Life-Size 2, which premiered on Freeform in December 2018, and a deal between her production company, Bankable Productions, and the TV arm of Universal. In addition, she had been inundated with producing and acting requests. As a result, it seemed that Banks was ready to shift her focus from hosting AGT to pursuing these new opportunities in television and film production.
While Banks never publicly confirmed her departure from AGT, the show's fourteenth season premiered in 2019 with Terry Crews as the new permanent host. Despite her absence, Banks left a lasting impact on the show as the only female host in its history up to that point, and both of her Golden Buzzer acts—Light Balance and Zurcaroh—made it to the finals.
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Banks' massive project was a sequel to Life-Size
Tyra Banks reportedly left America's Got Talent to focus on a "massive project". While she didn't reveal too many details about the project, she did mention that it was "something that has never been done before".
In November 2018, Banks hinted that she might be leaving AGT to focus on producing TV and movies. She told Access:
> “I don’t know [if I’ll be coming back], I think I had a really nice run with AGT. I had a lot, a lot of fun. I’m really focusing on Life-Size — I’m going to be producing TV and I have a massive project starting next year. I’m not so sure, but if I don’t come back, I had a lot of fun."
Banks had been working on the TV movie sequel to Life-Size, titled *Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve*. The film premiered on December 2, 2018, and drew in around 1.3 million viewers. Banks reprised her role as Eve, a fashion doll brought to life. This was a sequel to the 2000 film *Life-Size*, in which Banks starred alongside Lindsay Lohan.
In August 2024, Banks teased another potential sequel to *Life-Size* on Instagram. She wrote:
> “I know so many girls who put you in their pocket and sometimes would find you in the back of the washing machine! I'm sure so many kids that loved my Life-Size movie thought of you while watching it…guess it's time to visit this lil place and dream up another script. What say you, @lindsaylohan?”
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Banks was the first female host of AGT
Tyra Banks was the host of America's Got Talent (AGT) from 2017 to 2019. She was the show's first female host, taking over from Nick Cannon, and was replaced by Terry Crews.
Banks is a well-known American model, television personality, producer, writer, and actress. She has had a successful career in the entertainment industry, including as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1997 to 2005 and as the host of America's Next Top Model.
In 2017, it was announced that Banks would be taking on a new role as the host of AGT. She was the first woman to hold this position, and her unique perspective as a model and producer added a new dimension to the show. Banks's time as host was generally well-received, and she successfully guided numerous acts through the competition. Notably, both of her Golden Buzzer acts—Light Balance and Zurcaroh—made it to the finals as part of the top 3.
However, in late 2018, Banks hinted that she might be leaving AGT to focus on other projects. She stated that she had several producing and acting requests and wanted to concentrate on her cosmetics company, Tyra Beauty. In 2019, Banks officially left AGT, with Terry Crews taking over as the new host.
Banks's departure from AGT was not due to any behind-the-scenes drama but rather her desire to explore new opportunities and manage her workload. She has since continued to pursue various endeavours, including acting, producing, and hosting other shows like Dancing with the Stars.
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Banks was sued by a parent for physically manipulating their child
In 2017, Tyra Banks was sued by a woman and her mother after a failed audition for America's Got Talent. The woman, referred to as Jane Doe, claimed that her young daughter, Mary Doe, was traumatized when Banks "physically manipulated and verbally abused" her.
During the performance, which was a song about motherhood that celebrated Mary's birth, Banks allegedly began to physically shake Mary's shoulder and pull her hair back. The suit also claimed that Banks made an insinuation that Mary was "accidentally conceived."
Jane claimed that as a result of the AGT experience, Mary suffered long-term emotional distress, depression, and trauma. The show's parent company, Fremantle Media, released a statement saying, "We take great care of all acts that cross the 'AGT' stage and their families."
This was not the first time Banks had been sued. In 2014, former America's Next Top Model contestant Angelea Preston filed a $4 million lawsuit against Banks and the show, claiming she was wrongfully disqualified after producers learned she had worked as an escort.
At the time of the 2017 lawsuit, Banks had been hosting America's Got Talent since 2017. She hinted in 2018 that she might be leaving the show to focus on producing TV and movies, and her departure was confirmed in 2019.
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Banks was replaced by Terry Crews
Tyra Banks left America's Got Talent in 2019. Banks, who had hosted the show since 2017, reportedly left to focus on producing TV and movies. She had previously hinted that she might be leaving the show to work on a massive project. This project was later revealed to be Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve, a sequel to the 2000 film, which drew in around 1.3 million viewers when it premiered on Freeform on December 2, 2019.
Banks had been the first and only female host of the show. Her departure from the show was not due to any behind-the-scenes drama. Banks had teased that she was inundated with producing and acting requests. She also stated that she wanted to spend more time producing and acting.
Banks' exit from America's Got Talent was described as a network decision. A source stated that the show "does well because it has no problem adding new people and making changes".
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Tyra Banks left America's Got Talent in 2019.
Banks left AGT to focus on producing TV and movies, as well as to pursue other projects.
No, there was no drama behind her departure.
Banks was working on a massive project that was coming in the fall of next year. She was also working on the TV movie Life-Size 2.
Terry Crews replaced Tyra Banks as the host of America's Got Talent.
