Jenna Bush Hager Is Replacing Kathie Lee Gifford on ‘Today!’
The rumors are true! Jenna Bush Hager is replacing Kathie Lee Gifford as Hoda Kotb‘s co-host for the fourth hour of the Today show.
The news was confirmed in an internal memo written by NBC News President Noah Oppenheim, obtained by Page Six:
“We have some exciting news to share with you this morning… Jenna will officially start her new role in April after we bid a fond farewell to Kathie Lee Gifford,” Noah said, adding, “Jenna joined TODAY nearly 10 years ago and she quickly became a fixture in our family. Her compassion and curiosity come through in all of her stories, along with her Texas-sized sense of humor. Jenna instantly connects with everyone she meets, whether they are guests on our show or fans on the Plaza.”
Noah also added in the memo that it is “bittersweet to say goodbye to Kathie Lee,” but points out the executives are “thrilled” to have the opportunity to make some changes at 10 a.m., which will be the “first of many.”
Jenna was an obvious choice to replace Kathie. Recently, Jenna opened up to People about the new gig, saying: “I’ve been the fill-in which is a fun position to be because there’s no pressure but you could just have a blast. So, to take it to the next level is awe-inducing.”
Hoda is thrilled be the news, too! “Being around Jenna is like being around the most real person,” she told People. “She says exactly what she thinks and believes and there’s something about her that makes you do two things. You lean in because you want to know more and also you kind of weirdly tell her your secrets and you’re like ‘Oh my God, I just blurted all that out!’ She has this thing that’s special.”