Hoda Kotb Gives Jenna Bush Hager the ‘Best Surprise’ with Unexpected Today Show Visit: ‘What Is Happening!?’

Kotb previously hosted Today’s fourth hour with Bush Hager for five years before departing the show in January 2025

Hoda Kotb surprises Jenna Bush Hager ahead of ‘Today with Jenna & Friends’. Photo: TODAY with Jenna & Friends/Instagram

Hoda Kotb may have stepped away from her Today show duties, but her friendship with Jenna Bush Hager remains stronger than ever.

On Tuesday, March 11, Kotb, 60, surprised her former costar backstage ahead of the show’s morning meeting. Kotb who hosted Today‘s fourth hour with Bush Hager, 43, for five years before saying goodbye on Friday, Jan. 10.

The clip, shared on the Instagram and TikTok accounts for the newly renamed Today with Jenna & Friends, begins with Kotb walking into a backstage makeup and dressing room before greeting a staff member.

“What is happening?! What is happening?! I FaceTimed you today,” Bush Hager could be heard saying as she got up from her chair.

After the two share a sweet hug, Kotb tells her, “I know. I had to come in for a second,” and proceeds to tell Dwyane Wade, Bush Hager’s current guest co-host, “You’re crushing it! You’re so good.”

The clip ends with Kotb greeting everyone else in the room.

Hoda Kotb during an interview with host Seth Meyers.Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty

“We had the best surprise in our briefing meeting this morning!! @hodakotb dropped in to show her love and support for @jennabhager and @dwyanewade 🫶 #JennaandFriends,” the clip’s caption reads.

Kotb announced in September 2024 that she would be departing the Today show after 17 years. During her time on air, she served as the co-anchor of Today alongside Savannah Guthrie and co-hosted the show’s fourth hour with Bush Hager.

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager during the fourth hour of ‘Today’ on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.Nathan Congleton/NBC

Craig Melvin took over Kotb’s seat alongside Guthrie, 53, on Monday, Jan. 13. For the fourth hour of Today, the newly revamped Today with Jenna & Friends sees Bush Hager welcoming a slew of celebrity co-hosts, including Scarlett Johansson, Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer.

While a permanent co-host has yet to be announced, fans, including Kotb, are excited to know who it will be.

“I’m dying to find out who it’s going to be,” Kotb told PEOPLE at the inaugural Runway for Recovery fashion show in NYC in February.

Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie.Hoda Kotb/Instagram

“I’ve been talking with Jenna about it. I keep saying, ‘Who’s going to be our friend forever?’ ” she added.

The former talk show host, who retired to spend more time with her daughters, Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 5, said that her time away from the show has given her a better look at Bush Hager’s “mega talent.”

“It was always clear to me, but it’s even clearer because now I’m watching her have blind dates every week with new co-hosts, and the common thread is how awesome she is,” said Kotb. “She’s incredible. So whoever she chooses is going to be great with her.”