Hoda Kotb Addresses Kelly Rowland’s Departure from ‘Today’ Show
In a surprising turn of events, Kelly Rowland’s departure from the “Today” show right before she was scheduled to co-host the fourth hour with Hoda Kotb has left fans and viewers wondering what happened. However, Hoda Kotb is not letting this setback dampen her spirits. In fact, she took the opportunity to address the situation on “Today with Hoda & Jenna” and express her love and admiration for Rowland.
Kotb made it clear that she holds no ill feelings towards Rowland and hopes that she will return to the show. “I just want to say this: I have great love and admiration for Kelly Rowland. I adore her, and I want her to come back on our show, and I want her to host again,” Kotb said. Her co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, who was absent on the day Rowland was supposed to fill in, echoed Kotb’s sentiments, saying that Rowland is always welcome on the show because she is “the best.”
Kotb also addressed the rumors surrounding Rowland’s departure, particularly the reports that she was unhappy with her dressing room. Laughing it off, Kotb said, “Of course she is! Of course she is! She can share my dressing room. We’ll be in it together!” It’s clear that Kotb values Rowland’s presence on the show and wants to ensure that she feels comfortable.
Reflecting on their past interactions with Rowland, both Kotb and Bush Hager reminisced about the first time they had her as a guest on their show. They admitted that they begged her to “please host with us” one day, highlighting their admiration for her talent and personality. It’s evident that Rowland has made a lasting impression on the “Today” show team.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, the show must go on. With Rowland’s absence, the team had to scramble to find a co-host for the fourth hour. Fortunately, Rita Ora, who was scheduled to appear for an interview promoting the new season of “The Masked Singer,” stepped in and did a phenomenal job. Kotb made sure to give Ora a shout-out, acknowledging her contribution to the show.
Throughout the ordeal, Kotb handled the situation with grace, earning praise from Bush Hager. Jokingly, Bush Hager said she won’t take a day off until 2026, highlighting Kotb’s resilience and dedication to the show.
While the details surrounding Rowland’s departure remain unclear, Page Six reported that she left the show because she was unhappy with the dressing rooms. According to a source, Rowland and her team were not pleased with the accommodations and decided to pull her off the show, leaving Kotb without a guest host for the 10 a.m. hour. It’s a surprising turn of events considering Rowland’s popularity and how beloved she is at “Today.”
Despite the confusion surrounding Rowland’s departure, one thing is certain – everyone involved in the show has nothing but kind words to say about her. While Rowland has yet to publicly address the incident, Rita Ora confirmed Page Six’s report and expressed her gratitude for how lovely and kind everyone was.
In the end, it’s clear that Hoda Kotb and the rest of the “Today” show team hold Kelly Rowland in high regard. They hope that she will return to the show and continue to bring her talent and charm to their audience. Only time will tell what the future holds for Rowland and her involvement with “Today,” but one thing is for sure – her presence will be missed.