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17 Feb 2026 10:16
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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

    Politics:
    A history of assassination reveals how ‘targeted killings’ became an extension of state power 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Iran's state TV airs 'forced confessions' of 'scapegoats' whose families fear could face execution 10:07

    Soccer:
    A breakthrough for Brentford in their fourth round FA Cup football match 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Michelle Yeoh thinks Hollywood can be slow to progress because some people are scared to "lose out" 9:57

    Health & Safety:
    Health experts are demanding tougher alcohol laws to prevent children from being influenced into drinking 9:47

    Entertainment:
    Chloë Sevigny wants to celebrate the inclusivity and diversity of New York fashion 9:27

    Law and Order:
    A jury's heard grisly details about the death and dismemberment of a Christchurch man - whose remains were found in the boot of his own car 9:27

    Rugby League:
    New Zealand Rugby League boss Greg Peters is saluting the fact Kiwi internationals can now play State of Origin 9:07

    Entertainment:
    Peter Andre won't be spending Valentine's Day with his wife Emily 8:57

    Entertainment:
    Robert Duvall, star of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, dies at 95 8:57


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