Most fans of the Today Show would agree that it has not been the same since Hoda Kotb signed off for the final time earlier this year. Therefore, viewers were overjoyed after she returned to the talk show as a guest for the first time this week.
Earlier today, the former host joined the Today with Jenna & Friends team not only to catch up with her former co-workers like Jenna Bush Hager but also to talk about her new lifestyle brand venture. It was an exciting occasion, given it was her first time on the show since her final episode in January. When fans saw clips of Hoda and Jenna reuniting, they freaked out on social media, detailing their reactions to the emotional reunion. Read more about it below.
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Hoda Kotb Returns To 'The Today Show' As A Guest For The First Time Since Her Departure
On Wednesday, May 28th, the television personality was a guest on Today with Jenna & Friends. She got to sit beside her former co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, for an emotional reunion and interview following her retirement from the program.
Hoda was with Today for an eventful 18 years, becoming one of the most recognized faces on the NBC network. She ultimately decided to step away from her position and announced she was leaving Today with Hoda & Jenna in September of last year, wanting some space from the demanding job to spend more time with her two children.
Since then, she's made little behind-the-scenes visits to see her old team, which always pleased her fans and avid viewers of the Today Show. However, her official on-screen visit on Wednesday was an extra special treat, as she got to sit down with Jenna to reflect on what things have been like since she parted ways from the show and what she's up to now. Before diving into their discussion, things got emotional between the two friends and co-hosts as Jenna reflected on how much she missed her other half.
"I knew this was going to happen," Jenna admitted, teary-eyed. "I told [my producer] I was going to cry before I even opened my mouth."
Hoda then acknowledged that the former 'First Daughter' had been "crushing it" as the primary host of her show since January. As they began to talk about their friendship, Jenna said it felt like they "haven't even spent the day apart" and that although she misses the mom-of-two, she's "so happy" for her.
"You know I haven't cried in six months," added the current host.
"I thought my heart was crusted over. I'm so glad to know I still have feelings."
After wiping away their tears, the two friends began talking about Hoda's latest project, a lifestyle and wellness app she helped create called Joy 101. In another interview, she referred to the personalized wellness app as a "retreat in your pocket," featuring courses and advice from experts on self-care and de-stressing.
In addition to Jenna, the 60 year-old also reunited with other friends like Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, which Today viewers were also very happy to see.
Fans React To Hoda's Emotional 'Today' Reunion With Her Former Co-Workers
After the segments with Hoda aired, numerous clips of her special appearances were shared on social media, where fans of hers and Today couldn't get over the emotional footage. On Today's Instagram accounts, their audience flooded the comment section with words of support for Hoda and their pleasantly surprised reactions to seeing her reunite with her former team members.
"This made my day!" wrote an Instagram user.
"That was fabulous," added another.
"This absolutely made my morning," wrote a fan. "[She] lights up every room she walks in! I had a full-on happy crying moment."
"I'm so happy for you, Hoda, that you are following your heart," added an additional Instagram user.
Hoda's app, Joy101, is currently available for pre-order in the Apple App Store and will be available starting June 11th. As happy and wonderful as her visit to her old stomping grounds was, she's reassured Jenna, her other friends on the show, and fans everywhere that she is thriving in this new era of her career while keeping in touch with everyone from her past.
