Since Hoda Kotb’s emotional departure from The Today Show, Jenna Bush Hager has been finding her own footing in a very different fourth hour. Her segment, now called Jenna & Friends, features a rotating group of co-hosts instead of a permanent replacement. But despite all the changes, one powerful lesson from Hoda still guides her every day.
“I mean, I think the most important lesson that she taught me was about positivity,” Jenna revealed. “She was such a good leader because she was so joyful all the time, and that really is her natural state.”
Jenna only shared the Today stage with Hoda for five years, but the impact clearly runs deep. After replacing Kathie Lee Gifford in 2019, Jenna partnered with Hoda until January 2025. That’s when Hoda, who had just turned 60, decided to make a bold life move. “It was a monumental moment for me,” Hoda said. “I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60 and to try something new.”
Jenna Bush Hager Embraces Hoda Kotb’s Joyful Leadership
Now on her own, Jenna Bush Hager has carried that lesson forward. Whether she’s hosting alongside celebrities, comedians, or even her own husband, she’s applying Hoda’s advice with intention.
“I would say that’s what she taught me – that joy is contagious, and it’s important to thank people and to be a leader that acknowledges everybody’s hard work,” Jenna explained.
And it shows. Jenna has welcomed many guest co-hosts since Hoda left. Some of them are Ciara, Scarlett Johansson, Keke Palmer, and Taraji P. Henson. “Every day it changes,” Jenna shared. “It also has been a really good lesson in living in the present. It’s, like, I actually have no idea what this show is going to look like.”
Her honesty about uncertainty makes her more relatable. It shows that Hoda’s joyful influence is here to stay.
Jenna’s 5-Year-Old Son Is “Jealous of Our Romance”
While Jenna continues to adjust on-screen, things at home are just as eventful-and hilarious. On the March 28 episode of Jenna & Friends, Jenna’s husband, Henry Hager, shared a funny family moment that warmed viewers’ hearts.
Their youngest son, Hal, 5, apparently gets emotional when he sees his parents being affectionate. “We are in this moment-where our youngest son is jealous of our romance,” Jenna said. Henry chimed in, “We went over and I gave you a kiss… just a nice little kiss. A peck.” But Hal’s reaction? Full-on tears.
“It wasn’t even a French kiss!” Jenna joked. Henry recalled Hal’s devastated expression and said, “His face… he was all smiles eating, and then it was just…” Jenna added, “Devastation.”
“It was as if Hal and I are dating and you swiped in and stole him from me,” she laughed. Henry even tried to reassure their son: “Hal, just to be clear, the reason you’re born is ‘cause your mom and I like each other.”
A Kiss, Some Tears, and a Family Full of Love
Henry didn’t stop there. He admitted he gave Jenna another kiss-just to playfully challenge Hal’s reaction. “I wanted to let him know there’s boundaries in this house and he can’t move in on my wife,” Henry joked.
Despite the hilarious jealousy, it’s clear the family is full of love and support. Earlier in the week, the couple shared a sweet moment when their three children sent Henry a good luck message for his co-hosting stint. “Dad, good luck and do what you practiced in the car because it was really good!” Mila said, cracking up the audience.
Henry called the message “so sweet,” and Jenna beamed. “You managed to get our kids into the Today show,” she said. Henry responded with a laugh, “Well, it’s your favorite thing, right?” Jenna asked him. “Not really,” he replied. “But that was so sweet.”
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