Hota Kotb has left a noticeable hole in the hearts of Today viewers and hosts since her departure last month. And one person feeling her absence the most is her former co-host, Jenna Bush Hager.
Jenna broke down in tears when her longtime friend and co-host filmed her last episode on January 10th, and she has yet to cry on the show since. Until last week’s episode of Today with Jenna & Friends that is, as she was moved to tears while speaking to country music star, Wynonna Judd.
Jenna Bush Hager And Wynonna Judd Talk About ‘Horrific Plane Crash’
During an interview with the 60-year-old “No One Else On Earth” singer on the Thursday, January 30th episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, Jenna, 43, was emotional when talking about the “horrific plane crash” that took place near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday, January 29th. And emotions continued to run high throughout the whole episode!
Jenna first told viewers that her and the country star’s “hearts and prayers are with the families” of those in the plane crash, adding: “It just takes your breath away. It really does, because life is so short anyway.”
“It’s like, wow, this hasn’t happened in such a long time. I don’t understand why we’re having to deal with this right now,” the mom-of-three continued. “It’s too much. It’s just too much.”
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Wynonna Judd Praises Jenna Bush Hager: 'I Admire You So Much'
Wynonna then went on to sing Jenna's praises, telling her that she didn't think her job was "easy," despite her making it look that way. The "Mama He's Crazy" singer admitted that she doesn't "really love live TV" because she worries she will make a mistake and go "viral for the wrong reasons," but felt she couldn't let Jenna down, and absolutely had to come on the show.
"Last night I didn't sleep at all because I just have you on my heart. I watch you every day. I went on my own in 1992, solo, and I think about you so much," Wynonna said, likening her experience of going solo to Jenna hosting the show without Hoda.
"You're a mom, you know, and a wife, and I don't know how you're doing this," the "My Strongest Weakness" songstress went on, before continuing to praise Jenna. "But I just want to affirm you and say that being authentic is lonely. And I can imagine you feel that way sometimes. But I just love you and I appreciate you and I admire you so much."
Wynonna Judd Jokes That It Was Her 'Goal' To Make Jenna Cry On The Show
The "Rock Bottom" singer's kind words unsurprisingly touched Jenna, who then broke down in tears. After Wynonna talked about her own experience of choosing to go solo and likening it to Jenna "doing this on [her] own" after Hoda's departure, Jenna said: "I never thought about that, because when you stepped into your own, that must have been a hard time, and also a beautiful time."
Wynonna said the experience was both "exhilarating and terrifying," which Jenna seemed to resonate with. "Well, that's how I feel," Jenna replied, after which Wynonna began to sing: "Walk through the storm hold your head up high, and don't be afraid of the dark. Walk on." This also moved Jenna, who simply responded: "Wow!"
Wynonna then joked that her "goal" was to make Jenna cry on the show. "Well you did it!" Jenna confessed, adding: "I actually haven't cried since Hoda left. I felt like my heart was crusted over, but it's not."
