Morning TV fans get ready for a feel-good moment! Hoda Kotb just made a super sweet return to the Today show set and it was all kinds of heartwarming. Even though she stepped away from her daily co-hosting gig she is definitely not forgotten and the love is still strong. Let's get into all the details about her surprise visit her exciting new project and what life looks like for Hoda now.
Surprise! Hoda Kotb Drops in on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' and Jenna's Reaction is Priceless
Remember when Hoda Kotb said goodbye to her daily spot on the Today show back in January? Well she recently made a surprise appearance backstage and it was such a lovely moment. She went to visit her former co-host Jenna Bush Hager and the whole crew at the newly named "Today With Jenna & Friends".
Apparently Hoda just wanted to pop in and show her love and support. The show's official Instagram even shared a video of the surprise. In the clip Hoda walks into the backstage area where Jenna and guest co-host Dwyane Wade were getting ready for the show. Jenna's reaction is just the best. She totally freaks out in the best way possible shouting "What is happening? What is happening? I FaceTimed you today!"
It's clear these two have a real bond. They shared a big hug and Hoda made sure to tell Dwyane Wade he was doing an awesome job co-hosting. Everyone in the room seemed genuinely happy to see her. It just goes to show that even though Hoda is not on the show every day anymore she is still very much part of the Today show family.
Why Did Hoda Leave in the First Place? Family Focus and a New Chapter
For anyone who missed it Hoda announced her departure from the Today show in September of last year. She had been part of the show for a whopping 17 years. She was co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie and also hosted the fourth hour with Jenna. It was a big change when she decided to step away.
Hoda's main reason for leaving was to spend more time with her family. She has two daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine and she felt it was time to prioritize them. In a letter to NBC staff she mentioned her 60th birthday celebration made her realize she was ready for a new chapter and wanted to give her daughters and her mom "a bigger slice of my time pie."
She also mentioned that she felt like she had reached the "top of the wave" in her broadcast career and it was the right moment to move on. It sounds like it was a thoughtful decision and one focused on what was most important to her personally. Craig Melvin has since taken over Hoda's co-anchor spot with Savannah and Jenna's fourth hour now features rotating celebrity co-hosts.
Hoda's Next Big Adventure: A Brand New Book About Taking Leaps of Faith and Finding Joy
Even though Hoda is taking some time for family she is definitely not slowing down professionally. She recently announced a super exciting new project: she is writing a book! The book is titled "Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life" and it sounds really inspiring.
She actually announced the book on the Today show itself which was a great way to share the news with her fans. The book is set to come out in September 2025 and you can even pre-order it now. The book is all about being brave enough to take leaps in life even when you are scared and finding joy in change.
Hoda has said it is her "most personal ambitious" book yet. She is sharing her own experiences and also stories from people she admires who have taken big leaps and embraced change. It seems like it will be a guide to navigating life's ups and downs and finding happiness along the way. Knowing Hoda's positive energy and outlook this book is sure to be uplifting and insightful.
Fans are Cheering for Hoda's New Book and Her Continued Success
When Hoda announced her book on Today and online fans went wild with support and congratulations. People are clearly excited to read what she has to share. Comments online are full of love and encouragement with fans saying things like "Love this! Gotta get your book!!" and "Love this concept! I can tell this is gonna be a special book … can't wait until September!". The reaction shows just how much Hoda is loved and how many people are inspired by her journey.
Hoda Kotb's Post-Today Projects: A Quick List
- New Book: "Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life" coming September 2025 (pre-order available).
- Family Time: Prioritizing time with her daughters Haley Joy and Hope Catherine and her mom.
- Continued Friendship with Today Show Colleagues: Maintaining close bonds with Jenna Bush Hager Savannah Guthrie and others.
- Inspiration to Fans: Continuing to inspire viewers with her positive outlook and new ventures.
Hoda's Future is Bright: Book Launch Family Time and Always Spreading Joy
Even though Hoda Kotb is not on the Today show every morning anymore it is clear she is doing amazing things. Her surprise visit showed her lasting connection to the show and her new book promises to share her wisdom and inspire readers. With her focus on family and new projects Hoda's next chapter looks bright and full of joy. We can't wait to see what she does next and to read "Jump and Find Joy" when it comes out!