Wondering why Billy Bush is leaving Extra? Recent updates sparked speculation about his future, with the longtime host hinting at big changes ahead. His comments suggested a shift in focus, leaving viewers curious about what this means for both his career and the show.
Here’s what we know so far about the transition and what it could bring moving forward.
Billy Bush confirmed in May 2025 that he is leaving Extra after serving as host for five years. He announced on his Hot Mics podcast that he will step away at the end of Season 31 to focus on expanding his digital platform.
“After an amazing five years hosting Extra, I’m moving on to continue building out my Hot Mics digital platform,” Bush said. He added that the program had given him “a tremendous honor” and that he is “forever grateful to the amazing staff at Extra and the executives at Warner Bros. for this awesome chapter.”
The decision followed Extra’s renewal in March for Season 32 on Fox, which initially left questions about Bush’s involvement. Sources told Deadline that “speculation that he might be leaving after six seasons” had circulated before his official announcement. With his departure set, the program launched a search for his replacement.
On August 13, 2025, Derek Hough, known for Dancing With the Stars, was announced as the new host of Extra beginning in September. (via Los Angeles Times)
Bush, nephew of former President George H. W. Bush, joined Extra in 2019 when it moved from NBC to Fox. He replaced Mario Lopez, who returned to Access Hollywood. Bush spent over a decade at Access Hollywood and briefly co-hosted the third hour of Today in 2016. He left the show after a 2005 recording surfaced.
During his tenure on Extra, Bush anchored alongside correspondents Melvin Robert, Mona Kosar Abdi, and Terri Seymour. Executive producers Theresa Coffino and Jeremy Spiegel praised him as “the consummate broadcaster, a brilliant interviewer and a force of nature” (via Deadline). Telepictures executive Lauren Blincoe added that his “dedication, experience and sharp reporting” shaped the program’s recent years.
With Bush departing after Season 31, Extra will move into Season 32 under Derek Hough’s leadership. The show continues its run as a long-standing entertainment news series that began in 1994.
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