Hoda Kotb is weighing in on who she wants to replace her on “Today” after she leaves the show early next year.
Though she told E! News on Friday that she has no say in who will be chosen as her successor, she said the right person will have “beautiful chemistry” with Jenna Bush Hager.
“That’s all I want,” she added. “Because it’s never about either anchor, it’s about what’s between. So bring the chemistry.”
Hoda Kotb told E! News Friday that her successor should have “beautiful chemistry” with Jenna Bush Hager. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
Kotb and Hager, seen above, host the fourth hour of “Today” together. Hoda And Jenna/NBC
“I don’t care if it’s her best friend, I don’t care if it’s someone she’s worked with, if it’s some celeb — when she gets in sync, that’s it. If she has chemistry … it will be beautiful.”
Kotb, 60, also shared the advice she gave to Hager, 42, for the process of picking who will host the “Today” show’s fourth-hour program with her.
“I said Jenna, ‘Feel who you want. Feel what feels right for you,’” she recalled.
Kotb also revealed the advice she gave to Hager before she and NBC started looking for her replacement. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
“I said Jenna, ‘Feel who you want. Feel what feels right for you,’” she remembered. NBC
“She’ll know, because the only way it’s going to work is if they got a vibe or not. Just the fun party vibe. It can’t be forced.”
Furthermore, Kotb lightheartedly gave E! News her opinion on what will make someone successful in co-anchoring “Today” with Savannah Guthrie.
“Look, you get to sit next to Savannah Guthrie … here’s what you’re going to do: You’re going to ride sidecar and say ‘Thank you very much,’ OK?” she laughed.
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Kotb joked to E! News that whoever fills her spot next to Savannah Guthrie will “ride sidecar and say ‘Thank you very much.’” Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Kotb announced her departure from “Today” on Sept. 26. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Guthrie, 52, revealed she discovered her longtime friend and colleague’s decision to depart “Today” a few days before she announced it to the world on Sept. 26.
“I’m so happy for her and I’m so proud of her as her friend because she’s following her heart and it’s a big bode of confidence in herself and her future — not because she knows what it will be, but because she believes in herself and she trusts her gut,” she raved to Page Six at the Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Gala earlier this month.
Kotb revealed she was leaving her spot as a lead anchor of “Today” because she felt it was the right time to “kind of move on.”
The longtime NBC anchor said her decision to leave came after intense internal reflection. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
She confirmed she will stay within the NBC family, however. Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images
She did not divulge her plans for after her departure, but she confirmed she will stay within the NBC family.
At the time, and insider told Page Six, “It’s heartbreaking for everyone, but Hoda wants to be able to walk her kids to school.”
She adopted her daughter Haley, 7, in 2017 and daughter Hope, 4, in 2019.
Another source told Page Six in September that Kotb had been “contemplating” exiting the show for “a really long time.”
Kotb said last week on “Today with Hoda & Jenna” that she wants to get involved in the wellness space. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
An insider told Page Six in September that she hopes to spend more quality time with her kids. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Kotb said on “Today with Hoda & Jenna” Friday that her exit is “terrifying” but is “exactly right” for her.
She also hinted that she will move into the wellness space.
“I want to start things. I’ve got things that are percolating inside … but I want you guys to come along on the ride with me because let’s all get better! Why not?” she explained.