The new cast of “Dancing With The Stars” was announced on Wednesday, two months after hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were abruptly fired, much to the shock of fans of the long running reality television competition. After the cast announcement, Andrews gave an interview in which she described her and Bergeron’s firings as “a surprise.”

In an interview with EXTRA, Andrews talked about how she reacted when she learned that she and Bergeron had been let go and replaced by supermodel Tyra Banks, who would also be signing on as executive producer of the show.

“It was a surprise,” Andrews said. “I got a phone call and I answered the phone. I was like, ‘This isn’t good.’”

She added that she has since stayed in touch with Bergeron as well as with the rest of the cast.

“I text Tom, like once a week… and the dancers as well,” Andrews said. “That’s a family… I danced on the show and then worked on the show for so many years, I always call it a ‘Dancing with the Stars Mafia’ — once you’re in, it’s really hard to break away. That’s a tight-knit group. Sasha and I will DM. I’ve gotten lovely messages from the dancers and so forth.”

She also said that she is happy for Banks for landing the gig.

“She can nail the smizing and the walking in gowns and heels, so good for her,” Andrews said.

Over the past few months, Andrews has been enjoying the downtime in quarantine with her husband Jarret Stoll amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“My marriage survived COVID. That is just award-winning news,” the television personality said. “Dog’s good, he didn’t die off my cooking… Everyone’s wonderful.”

Andrews is also now preparing to get back to work as a reporter with FOX Sports as the NFL season gets underway.

“I go back to work September 13 in New Orleans,” Andrews said. “Tom Brady makes his debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… I am so grateful that the NFL is going and we are having a season.”

Fans were in shock when Bergeron announced that he and Andrews had been fired back in July, given the fact that he had hosted the show since it premiered back in 2005.

“Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me,” he tweeted at the time. “It’s been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career.  I’m grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made.  That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?”

Just informed @DancingABC will be continuing without me. It's been an incredible 15 year run and the most unexpected gift of my career. I'm grateful for that and for the lifelong friendships made. That said, now what am I supposed to do with all of these glitter masks?

— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) July 13, 2020

In the wake of this announcement former contestants spoke out to express their support for Bergeron and Andrews.

“I’ve texted back and forth with Tom. I would’ve never made that decision, obviously. I think Tom and Erin are the backbone of the show,” former “DWTS” champion Alfonso Ribeiro told US Weekly when news of the exits circulated. “I have no idea where they’re going to go and what changes they want to make and why and how these decisions were made. But I think people like myself will absolutely miss Tom and Erin. It’ll be hard for me to see the show in whatever new form it is.”