With Hoda Kotb exiting the Today show on January 10, 2025, folks may be wondering how her co-workers found out about her unexpected news. Well, Jenna Bush Hager is giving some insight into this, along with how she feels about her good friend leaving NBC.
During a recent episode of her Open Book With Jenna podcast, Jenna opened up to comedian and actor Matt Rogers about how she learned about Hoda's plans to leave Today. Even though it seemed like Jenna and Hoda's fellow co-anchors (like Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie and others) all found out the day of the September 26 on-air announcement, it turns out that wasn't the case. As Jenna revealed, Hoda told her sometime before the world knew — and it came with some surprise feelings.
"I mean, to be totally honest, I was shocked. Shocked," she explained, per TODAY.com. "I found out, like, the week before. She told me as soon as she’d made the decision."
Even though Jenna was surprised by Hoda's decision, she understood her reasons. Given that Hoda has been open about wanting to step away and spend more time with her daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, Jenna believes it all makes sense.
"There’s the guilt you carry because you can’t be 100% at work and 100% at home," she added. "Something has to give if you want excellence ... Now that I’ve had time to process it, I’m like, 'Oh yeah, I totally get it.'"
As Craig Melvin takes Hoda's spot co-anchoring the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. hours and Jenna transitions into starting a new show during Today's fourth hour called Jenna and Friends, does she have any emotions about what's to come next year? Even though she's sad about Hoda's departure, she's still proud of her for putting her loved ones first.
"This is why I admire her so much ... she really listens to herself, and therefore she makes decisions which can feel surprising to others and just right for her," Jenna concluded. "She’s choosing herself. I get that. But my heart was, is broken a little."
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
