Jenna Bush Hager reveals the first star to replace Hoda Kotb on Today
As “Today” fans prepare to say goodbye to Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager is sharing who will replace her co-host and friend during the fourth hour of “Today.”
After sharing news of her retirement in September, it was revealed in November that Hoda Kotb’s colleague and show regular, Craig Melvin would be filling Kotb’s chair at the anchor desk alongside Savannah Guthrie.
Who would fill the chair next to Hager remained a mystery, until now.
In an interview with Hager published Jan. 7, the host told People that actress Scarlett Johansson will be joining her as the first guest co-host of “Today with Jenna & Friends.”
Johansson’s first show will be Jan. 21.
“Scarlett Johansson is the queen! First of all, I’ve been obsessed with her movies since forever. ‘The Girl with a Pearl Earring,’ I mean that shows you I’m a nerd who loves to read,” Hager told People.
“She’s also a big reader,” Hager said of Johansson, “which will be so much fun. We have so much in common.”
Not only that, but as People reports, Johansson also has a twin sibling like Hager and is a mom as well.
Johansson will co-host alongside Hager for a week before the next star will take her place.
“It’s just a wild dream,” Hager continued. “But that’s what I’m saying, the fact that she’s coming to give us a week of her time, she could be doing anything, is a testament to the show that we have built. So I am beyond thrilled. I cannot wait.”
“We’ve never seen Scarlett Johansson host a daytime show before!”
In October, Kotb told E! News that all she wants for her fourth hour co-host is chemistry.
“The person who I want is someone who has beautiful chemistry with Jenna,” she said at the time.
“That’s all I want. Because it’s never about either anchor, it’s about what’s between,” Kotb continued. “So bring the chemistry.”
“I don’t care if it’s her best friend, I don’t care if it’s someone she’s worked with, if it’s some celeb, when she gets in sync, that’s it. If she has chemistry, it will be beautiful.”
During the Jan. 7 broadcast, Kotb confirmed Hager and Johansson “had a great click,” calling the actress “an awesome person.”
Hoda’s last show with Hager will be on Jan. 10, and “Today with Jenna & Friends” will begin on Jan. 13.
In addition to Johansson, People reports that other stars expected to appear alongside Hager include Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria and Keke Palmer.