‘Today’: Celebs Say Goodbye To Hoda Kotb
Back in September, Hoda Kotb surprised viewers when she announced that she would be leaving Today towards the start of 2025. With Kotb’s last day coming up, many celebrities have come out to wish her well. These messages have started since her original announcement and have continued well into her last week on the show.
Hoda Kotb Has Been Part Of NBC Since 1998
Kotb announced her departure from Today in September 26, 2024. Her final day on the show is set for January 10, 2025
Kotb had first joined NBC as a Dateline correspondent back in 1998. She would end up joining Today around a decade later, serving as a co-host on during the fourth hour. At times, she shared hosting duties with Kathie Lee Gifford and Jenna Bush Hager.
As noted by Us Weekly, Kotb has shared that she hopes to use this move to spend more time with her daughters, Haley and Hope. In addition, she also wants to focus more on “wellness.”
During an October episode, Kotb mused, “I want to start things. I’ve got things that are percolating inside that I’m gonna, hopefully, have fully formed soon.”
However, Kotb will certainly be missed. Many celebrities have taken to social media to wish her a fond farewell following the news. Others have wished her well during various appearances.
Many Stars Have Wished Kotb Well While On Today
Maria Shriver, for example, took to Instagram to write, “I’m so proud of my friend @hodakotb for following her heart into this next chapter!” She continued, “Hoda, I’m so excited for you, and I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for you!”
During an October episode of Today, Shriver also noted, “You followed your gut and you went with what you wanted, even though you were afraid. And I think that’s so heroic. I think that’s brave.”
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Actress Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fame also talked with Kotb during an October interview. She shared, “I love you so much, and I’m so proud and inspired by you and was excited to see you today.” She also teased that she’d be willing to fill in for her on the show.
When Kotb appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host admitted he “lost it” when he heard the news. As he noted, “Hoda, what you do for this network, I can’t even tell you. … Your life is going to completely change. This is fantastic.”
When Kotb assured she was still part of the NBC family, Fallon shared, “You can’t leave us ‘cause we need you. The world needs you. We need you so much.”
Kotb Has Received Messages Well Into Her Last Week On Today
Henry Winkler of Happy Days fame also praised Kotb during an October appearance of Hoda & Jenna. He noted, “I know that a lot of people have sat here. There are a lot of guests that come through this show that you have been doing for a long time.”
Cynthia Erivo also presented Kotb a bouquet of flowers during an appearance at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Wicked star noted at the time, “These flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing.”
Starting with the new year, Donna Kelce, mother of Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, also notably appeared during the first episode of Kotb’s last week on Today. While there, she shared the following message:
“I’m wishing Hoda a happy retirement. I hope she has a wonderful time…I’m retired, but you can reinvent yourself. You can, so you go girl!”
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