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21 Feb 2026 1:00
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Hoda Kotb just wants her 'Today' replacement to be themselves

    The 60-year-old journalist had anchored the NBC morning programme alongside Jenna Bush Hager since 2018 when she stepped down on Friday (10.01.25) and as a series of guests hosts take her place for now, she has revealed that she just wants whoever gets the full-time role to avoid "forcing" anything while on air.


    She told E! News: "I would say to that person that they should be 100 percent themselves. They should not try and force or do anything other than be authentically, 1,000 percent who they are. If they want it so deep down, it will come.

    "And what's going to work is not that one person's super talented and another person is super talented-Jenna and whomever. Instead, it's whatever that space between is. Once you get magic, you know it from day one. You're like, 'That's it. It's there.' And from that day forward, it's off and running."

    The TV star did warn that it is "hard work" because the job requires being authentic all the days that are spent on air but reassured the "lucky person" that they will be in for a once-in-lifetime experience.

    She said: "Look, it's hard work because you got to be yourself on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday.

    "It's not like, 'I'll be funny today, but I'm in a bad mood today.' You just got to bring it. Maybe you're not having the best day. So what? It's not about you today.

    ", I think all of those things will come together. Whoever that lucky person is, it's the job of a lifetime. It really is. There's nothing better than that job. Nothing."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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     Today's News

    Cricket:
    The Central Stags have posted a massive 211-run win over the Wellington Firebirds, to book their place against Canterbury in Sunday's one-day men's cricket final 21:57

    Entertainment:
    President Donald Trump has remembered the late Jesse Jackson as "a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and street smarts" - and claimed he "could not stand" Barack Obama 21:47

    Entertainment:
    Nicole Kidman is reportedly being "romantically pursued" by MGM Resorts boss Paul Salem following her split from Keith Urban 21:17

    International:
    Donald Trump suggests decision on Iran likely within 10 to 15 days 21:17

    Golf:
    Ryan Fox is right in the mix after a fine four-under-par opening round of 67, at the latest PGA Tour event in Los Angeles 21:17

    National:
    Andrew’s arrest: will anything like this now happen in the US? Why hasn’t it so far? 21:07

    General:
    Kyra Wheatley ready to ride the chaos and speed of ski cross at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Margot Robbie worried she was "dumb" after deciding against going to university 20:47

    Entertainment:
    Rose Byrne has joked she "drinks a lot of alcohol" to decompress after work 20:17

    Entertainment:
    Baz Luhrmann is bringing Elvis Presley's story to theatres in a new stage show 19:47


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