Hoda Kotb may have left the Today show in January, but fans may not have seen the last of her and former cohost Jenna Bush Hager. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Wednesday, May 28, Kotb hinted at a possible future project with Bush Hager, saying, “I’m a never-say-never person. I also can imagine working with Jenna again one day.”
The duo cohosted Today With Hoda & Jenna for over five years, following Kotb’s partnership with Kathie Lee Gifford from 2008 to 2019. Kotb also served as a coanchor for Today alongside Savannah Guthrie starting in 2018. Despite her departure, Kotb revealed that a collaboration with Bush Hager is something she has considered. “I’ve thought about that because she and I say that, secretly, we’re like, ‘One day. I’ll see you in a couple years. I’ll see you in a couple years,’” she shared. “I feel like there’s something there.”
It has been four months since Kotb bid farewell to both Bush Hager and Guthrie, as well as the rest of her Today family, in order to focus on her daughters. However, she recently reunited with her former colleagues at 30 Rockefeller Center to promote her new wellness platform and app called Joy 101.
During her return, Kotb expressed feeling at peace with leaving but also like she was still part of the family. “It felt like coming home in the best way. And I felt so loved and so embraced. I still can’t believe what it felt like,” she said of the reunion. “I think this was the best day ever.”
Bush Hager was emotional upon seeing Kotb back in her old stomping grounds, saying, “I was expecting to cry and I was a little bit like, ‘Don’t cry, don’t cry.’ But then it’s what can I do? It’s, like, the energy.” She added that Kotb “inspires her” and that she is incredibly proud of her former cohost.
While Bush Hager loves having Kotb back at the NBC studio, she expressed her support for Kotb’s new endeavors. “She’s living her [dream]. That was actually the biggest lesson and what was actually kind of amazing about it is we’re actually really proud of what we built over the last five months,” Bush Hager said. “I miss her and I’m cheering for her in a million different ways.”
Guthrie also shared her sentiments, saying that Kotb will always have a place within the Today family. “Her being there was like she never left, truly. I looked over at her, I was like, ‘There’s Hoda,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s Hoda because she’s [such a] fit,’” Guthrie explained. “She’s our family. This is home for her.” With such strong bonds among the former cohosts, it seems likely that fans will see Kotb and Bush Hager working together again in the future. Hoda Kotb, the beloved co-host of the Today Show, recently shared her feelings about returning to work after her maternity leave. In a heartwarming interview with her colleague, Savannah Guthrie, Kotb expressed that returning to the show felt like coming back home.
Guthrie, who was visibly excited to have Kotb back on the show, mentioned how wonderful it was to have her colleague back on the plaza and to catch up with her in front of their fans. She described the experience as fun, especially being able to sit with Kotb on the couch and ask her questions about what she has been up to during her time off.
For Kotb, the Today Show has always been a special place where she feels at home. Despite taking time off to focus on her family and new baby, returning to work felt like a natural and comforting transition. Kotb’s presence on the show has always been a source of joy for viewers, and her return was eagerly anticipated by fans.
As Kotb settles back into her role on the Today Show, she brings with her a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm. Her genuine warmth and authenticity have endeared her to audiences around the world, making her a beloved figure in the world of morning television.
With Kotb back on the show, viewers can look forward to more heartfelt moments, inspiring stories, and heartwarming interviews. Her presence on the Today Show is a reminder of the power of connection and the importance of feeling at home, even in the midst of a bustling television studio.
As Kotb continues to share her journey with viewers, she remains a beacon of positivity and hope. Her return to the Today Show is not just a welcome sight for fans, but a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and strength that she embodies.
In conclusion, Hoda Kotb’s return to the Today Show is a reminder that home is where the heart is. For Kotb, the show has always been a place where she feels welcomed and loved, and her presence on the show is a testament to the deep connection she shares with her colleagues and fans. Welcome back, Hoda!
