Hoda Kotbit’s coming Today the exit hits Jenna Bush Hager just in the sensations.

“To be completely honest, I was shocked, shocked,” Bush Hager, 43, admitted in a conversation with Matt Rogers on Kotb’s departure in the Thursday, December 5 episode of his Podcast “Open Book with Jenna”. “I mean, I was surprised.”

Bush Hager said Kotb, 60, told him the news Today with Hoda and Jenna co-host just a week before she announced its release in the September 26 episode of Today. “That’s why I admire her so much, is that she really listens to herself,” she exclaimed. “And as a result, she makes decisions that may surprise others and that suit her perfectly. And now that I’ve had time to process it, I’m like, “Oh yeah, I totally get it.” »

Although she accepted Kotb’s decision, Bush Hager admitted that she couldn’t help but feel sad about her soon-to-be former co-host’s departure. “When everyone says, ‘Oh, my God! Congratulations, it’s like I feel like I’ve been dumped,” she said. “Not really, you know, because she chooses herself. I understand that. But my heart is a little broken.

Related: ‘Today’ Show Hosts React to Hoda Kotb’s Surprising Departure

The news of Hoda Kotb’s Today show exit is bittersweet for her co-hosts. “I just turned 60, and it was such a monumental moment for me when I turned 60 because I started thinking about this decade, like, what does this decade mean? What is he holding? What will it do for me? Kotb, (…)

When Kotb announced it Today out, she mentioned being 60 and wanting to spend more time with his daughters – Haley, 7, and Hope – as reasons for his resignation. She will do it final Today appearance January 10, 2025, after which Craig Melvin will take over as Savannah Guthrieis the co-anchor. Hoda and Jenna will continue to be broadcast as Today with Jenna and her friends and features a constant stream of rotating guest hosts until Kotb’s permanent replacement is announced.

Rogers, 34, confirmed Bush Hager’s sentiments on Thursday’s podcast, saying, “You can’t help but think about what this does to you.” I mean, sure, it’s an incredible moment in someone else’s life, but you’re a human being and it’s hard.

THE No good deed The star also said she hopes Bush Hager finds his new co-host on his own time. “If you really want to have time to make the decision and make sure it’s the right person, and you know, just if you want it to be you, and whether it lasts months or however long it takes, like you earned this, and you should give it to yourself.

Bush Hager, for his part, isn’t sure “how long” it will be before his new co-host is chosen. Using another breakup analogy, she said, “If someone dumps you, breaks up with you and you’re left there like — maybe a one-night stand is a good thing?” But you don’t want to get into serious things. This is a bad thing. So, for now, we’re just going to hang out – feel that way.

Related: Hoda Kotb Recalls Jenna Bush Hager’s ‘Weird Speech’ After ‘Today’ Release

Nathan Congleton/NBC Hoda Kotb will always remember what Jenna Bush Hager said to her after announcing her exit from Today. “This is how she starts our staff meeting: ‘One time, Hoda left a party with my purse,’” Kotb, 60, recalled on the Wednesday, Oct. 9, episode of Today. “I was like, ‘What is Jenna doing?’ (…)

Kotb is excited to see who will follow her Hoda and Jenna not, telling Bush Hager on the show September 26 episode that it’s “your turn” to be in the spotlight. “And whoever sits in that seat, whoever sits in that seat, will have the easiest job in the world because they will be sitting next to you,” she continued. “The only thing they have to do is not laugh so much that they pee their pants.” That’s it. They just have to hang on. »

Bush Hager praised Kotb earlier in the show, telling the longtime NBC personality, “You’re who I go to when I’m feeling joyful, when I’m feeling insecure.” You are the one I came to and you first believed in me. We have a lot of bosses and I love them, but this lady, on October 28, 2013 – I looked it up – said to me, “Hey, do you want to come sit next to me? There is room.