Erin Andrews has some big shoes to fill. The Fox Sports reporter is set to take over for the recently fired Brooke Burke-Charvet as co-host of Dancing With the Stars in season 18 — and she’s the first to admit her predecessor leaves behind a major legacy.
“Like I said to Brooke, ‘If I can be half of what you are to these contestants, I’ll be happy,'” Andrews told Access Hollywood at the DWTS cast announcement on Tuesday, March 4. “Because every single one of these dancers that have been around her said she’s just the kindest person, and I just hope to be like that.”
Andrews, 35, first made her mark on DWTS as a competitor in season 10, when she came in third behind Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and Olympian Evan Lysacek. She was partnered at the time with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who will be returning to the show in season 18 after a two-season break.
Asked if she’s rooting for her former dance pro to win — he’s partnered with Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis for the time being — Andrews said yes. “Always, always,” she told Access Hollywood.
“But I’m not gonna to lie to you,” she added, “[I have a] massive crush over here on miss leather pants, NeNe Leakes…Wouldn’t you? Die for her. Die for her…I’ve seen her party buses. Let’s go!”
