ANOTHER Today star has stepped in for Hoda Kotb amid her multi-day absence from the morning show.
NBC personality Sheinelle Jones took Hoda’s seat during Today’s fourth-hour show, Today with Hoda & Jenna, while Hoda is gone.
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Today host Hoda Kotb was missing from the morning show’s fourth hourCredit: NBC
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Jenna Bush Hager co-hosted with a fill-in for Hoda amid Hoda’s absenceCredit: Twitter/HodaAndJenna
Today with Hoda & Jenna shared a clip on X, formerly known as Twitter, from the beginning of the early bird talk show’s Friday episode.
Fans were greeted by Jenna Bush Hager, 41, and Sheinelle, 45, instead of the daily duo Hoda and Jenna.
Jenna carried the show on as usual, not bringing attention to Hoda’s longstanding absence until later in the show.
During filming, Jenna insinuated on video calling Hoda live – but not without a quick story first.
Jenna said she had bought dinner for Hoda and her family at a restaurant the night before, but Hoda left before the dessert (equipped with a candle) even came out.
Despite the situation, Hoda joyfully picked up the Facetime call, which showed her happily enjoying some family time at her home.
She had her wireless headphones in as she said hello to viewers and panned the camera to show her mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, and daughters: Haley, six, and Hope, four.
Hoda showed the birthday decorations throughout her house, which included a bundle of balloons and a table runner.
She also showed her leftover breakfast, which Hoda said was a “surprise” that was brought to her room.
Her daughter Haley adorably tried to get some air-time in the Facetime call as she kept putting her hand by her mom’s head and talking near the camera.
Hoda brought up the dinner Jenna had bought for them the night prior, joking: “We had the best dinner on you, sorry about the bill, take out a loan! It was awesome!”
Hoda panned the camera to show her home and family once more as her fellow Today hosts wished her a happy birthday.
MYSTERY SOLVED
Earlier this week, Hoda revealed where she had been after her sudden show absence.
The anchor took to Instagram to share a series of photos that gave fans a peek at what she’d been up to.
She was busy taking some time out for herself ahead of what she had planned for a big birthday celebration.
In one snap, Hoda was at a table surrounded by friends and family as they enjoyed the meal Jenna had paid for.
Hoda captioned the photo: “@jennabhager thx for the delicious pre-bday meal! My family loved it— and YOU!!”
She also shared a photo of herself watching the Women’s World Cup with her kids over the weekend.
HODA’S NEW PROJECT
Before being absent from Today, Hoda announced a major career move on the show.
The 59-year-old got emotional while sharing the news with fans as her upcoming project was inspired by her youngest daughter, Hope.
During Wednesday’s broadcast of Today, Hoda revealed she has a new children’s book coming out.
The picture book, titled Hope is a Rainbow, comes out in March 2024.
Hoda shared: “A few years back, I wrote the book, I’ve Loved You Since Forever, and it was inspired by the birth of my daughter Haley.
“So, I’m bursting because I have a book coming out next March, and it’s inspired by my youngest daughter, Hope.”
She explained that the book is about “really looking for hope all around” yourself.
After showing the bright cover of Hoda’s upcoming release, Savannah Guthrie, 51, asked her co-star to tell a bit more about the story and how it came to be.
Hoda said: “It was based on my daughter, who, of course, I had dreamt of her and hoped for her, and her name just fell in.
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Today star Sheinelle Jones replaced Hoda on Friday’s episode of Today with Hoda & JennaCredit: Twitter/HodaAndJenna
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Hoda has been gone from the Today show since TuesdayCredit: Getty
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It’s speculated that Hoda is absent because she’s recovering from her recent birthday celebration
