Hoda Kotb Shares Her Pride as Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones Take Over Today’s Fourth Hour

(L) Hoda Kotb attends the 2025 Forbes Power Women’s Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 10, 2025 in New York City; (R) Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager visit SiriusXM Studios on January 13, 2026 in New York City.
Credit:

Taylor Hill/Getty; Gary Gershoff/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Hoda Kotb expresses pride as she watches Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones on Today‘s fourth hour.
• She likened the experience to watching a child learn to ride a bike, saying, “Oh my God, they can do it all on their own.”
• Today with Jenna & Sheinelle premiered on January 12, featuring surprise appearances from Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Hoda Kotb is embarking on a new chapter while celebrating the achievements of her successors on Today’s fourth hour. The founder of Joy 101 reflected on her journey as a host alongside Jenna Bush Hager and former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford during a recent cover interview with PEOPLE.

“First of all, I feel honored to have been one of the stewards of this show. Honored. And I think what is so touching to me is I watched Jenna as kind of a baby learn the ropes. Now, as a proud mom, I’m watching her carry [the show] for an entire year,” Kotb said. “To watch Jenna and Sheinelle have a place where magic is reigniting again is one of the most satisfying feelings.”

Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford pass the wine torch to Sheinelle Jones and Jenna Bush Hager.

NBC

Today with Jenna & Sheinelle launched on January 12, marked by surprise guest appearances from Kotb and Gifford who toasted the show’s new era. On air, Jones praised Gifford, stating, “First of all, you invented the genre, you really did.”

Kotb added, “All you want is for the show to continue to be wildly successful. I have no doubt that it is going to be wildly successful, so I feel proud. It’s like watching your child ride a bike; you’re like, ‘Oh my God, they can do it all on their own.’”

Kotb, who co-hosted Today with Hoda & Jenna from 2019 until her departure in January 2025, stepped down to dedicate more time to her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, as well as her wellness initiative, Joy 101.

Prior to partnering with Bush Hager, Kotb co-hosted Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda from 2008, alongside Gifford.

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb reunite at QVC and TikTok’s Super Brand Day alongside QVC’s 2025 Q50 class in May 2025.

Jordan Strauss/AP

Kotb described the opportunity to witness Bush Hager and Jones flourish in their roles as “really cool,” highlighting Jones’s commitment to hosting Jenna & Friends with over 60 prominent guests throughout the year.

She expressed confidence in the show’s future, stating, “To have a gentle place with such a pro like Sheinelle is going to be next level.”