Alfonso Ribeiro Admits He Had to Ask Who Ariana Madix Was After She Was Cast on 'DWTS' (Exclusive)

etonline.com:

Alfonso Ribeiro is getting excited to host the upcoming season of — even if he isn't familiar with the first and only cast member yet announced.ET's Kevin Frazier spoke with the returning co-host — and former Mirrorball trophy champion himself — at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe, celebrating the 25th anniversary of American Century Investments, which sponsored the celebrity golf tournament.Ribeiro recalled learning that star Ariana Madix would be hitting the dance floor — which she revealed during an episode of earlier this month.«You know, it’s funny because I’m so not involved in television anymore that I have no idea who anyone is anymore,» Ribeiro explained. «I’m so into my kids and into the family.»«I literally had to call up Deena Katz, who is our executive producer and [head of] casting, and say, 'Um, so, who is this? 'Cause I have no idea.'» He added with a laugh. " I just I don’t pay attention, right?

Unless it's a show that I watch, you know? So I was like, 'Oh,? OK, yeah, got it. Never seen her, but cool'«While Madix's casting was announced last week, the rest of the cast won't be revealed until Sept.

13 on , and Ribeiro says he doesn't have the slightest idea who might be signing on.»I have no idea. There’s no one else who’s confirmed at all," he shared. «I mean, they typically do get me a little bit of a heads up, but yeah, there’s nobody else at this point.»«I’m sure they know some people, but they haven’t told me yet,» he added.Season 32 marks the show's return to ABC after spending one season on Disney+.

It's also the first season since the exit of longtime judge Len Goodman — who died April 24, 2023, at age 78, several months after retiring.Meanwhile, Ribeiro will be returning to.