TODAY host Justin Sylvester has broken down in tears on TV after getting some surprising news from Jenna Bush Hager.
Justin joined Jenna in Hoda’s place on Thursday’s episode of the daytime show.
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Jenna Bush Hager surprised anchor Justin Sylvester with a big surprise on ThursdayCredit: NBC
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She casually mentioned he would be appearing in Men’s Health for the January/February issueCredit: NBC
“We have to tell you something, because speaking of Men’s Health, on Monday, we actually discussed your health journey and how your father inspired you, right?” Jenna asked Justin during Thursday’s episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna.
“You mentioned, or I mentioned, that you should be in Men’s Health,” Jenna continued.
Justin looked surprised, telling her “You didn’t…”
“Guess what!” Jenna exclaimed.
“Our friends over at Men’s Health are fans of you and are big fans of you!” she went on.
“Men’s Health magazine wants to feature you in their January/February issue!” she yelled.
“You guys, I…I’m a single man, you cannot make me cry on TV! I have five things going against me right now!”
“You guys, don’t do this to me, you guys,” Justin said as he started to tear up.
“I can’t even speak right now, I know the lottery is at 1.5 billion dollars, but this is wild,” he continued.
He got up and gave Jenna a big hug as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
“Someone find Tony, my publicist, where’s Tony? Go to commercial,” he joked, still wiping his eyes.
He and Jenna hugged another time before the show went to commercial.
HODA PHONE
Meanwhile, Hoda Kotb continued her birthday celebrations by Facetiming on-air with her co-host amid her absence from the show.
The Today Show host has took a few days off to ring in her 59th birthday on Wednesday while surrounded by family.
During the August 9th airing, her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, 41, 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.
The Today host 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.
“And she just reminds me that hope is around every corner. No matter what you go through, no matter what hardship you endure.”
She added that she’d actually written the book before Hope got sick a few months ago, before adding that her daughter’s “on the mend” now.
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Justin could hardly contain his excitement as he started to tear upCredit: NBC
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He hugged Jenna and thanked her for the opportunity and got choked upCredit: NBC
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Justin joked that the show should go to commercial as he was crying
