Hoda Kotb Steps Up After Matt Lauer's Departure
When Matt Lauer was let go from the Today show following serious allegations of misconduct, it left a big hole to fill. Hoda Kotb, the ever-gracious co-host of the fourth hour, stepped in without hesitation. She started juggling two roles—joining Savannah Guthrie for the first two hours of the NBC morning show while still holding down her usual spot alongside Kathie Lee Gifford. Now, NBC has decided to make this arrangement permanent, and Kathie Lee is confident that Matt would be the first to congratulate her.
Speaking with People on January 2, Kathie Lee shared her thoughts. "The situation with Matt is something we don't want to delve into deeply. We love this man, and we're devastated by his departure. Our happiness is always tinged with sadness because of his absence. It's a complex feeling, a mix of joy and sorrow. No one wants to benefit from someone else's misfortune, but this is reality. It's a business, and life goes on. If Matt were here, he'd be the first to applaud Hoda and wish her the best."
View this post on InstagramIt's always nice to celebrate good news with good friends. We're celebrating you today, @hodakotb! ✨(📷via @photonate)
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Kathie Lee's Unwavering Support for Hoda
Kathie Lee couldn't be more thrilled about the change. "I genuinely feel happy for Hoda because she's having an incredible year. If she's happy, it makes me happy too," the 64-year-old expressed. "What's happening to her now is something she would have sacrificed anything for earlier in her career. There's no one better at what they do than Hoda. She radiates joy like no one else can." These heartfelt words paint a vivid picture of Hoda's talents and her impact on those around her.
And the accolades didn't stop there. Kathie Lee went on to heap more praise on her long-time colleague and close friend. "I can't think of a single person more beloved than Hoda at the show. Everyone adores her universally. She's the kindest soul, devoid of any malice. Her love and kindness are unmatched. When these amazing things started happening to this wonderful woman, we couldn't have been more thrilled for her. Hoda is already one of the hardest-working women in the business. She's figured out a way to keep all the things that bring her joy and to land her dream job. That's truly remarkable," she added. Honestly, anyone who's that kind early in the morning deserves nothing less than the best!
View this post on Instagram"You are a partner and a friend and I'm so happy to be doing this together." @hodakotb officially joins TODAY as co-anchor and just like @savannahguthrie, we couldn't be happier. #SavannahHodaTODAY (Photo via @photonate)
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What's Next for Hoda and the Today Show?
As Hoda takes on her new role, fans and colleagues alike are excited to see what the future holds. Will Matt Lauer ever resurface and share his thoughts? Only time will tell, but for now, it's all about celebrating Hoda's well-deserved success.
