Hoda Kotb Expresses Love for Kelly Rowland Amid ‘Today’ Dressing Room Controversy
The world of morning television is no stranger to drama and controversy, and the latest incident involving Hoda Kotb and Kelly Rowland has left fans buzzing. Last week, Rowland, the renowned singer and former member of Destiny’s Child, was scheduled to co-host “Hoda & Jenna” alongside Kotb while Jenna Bush Hager took a day off. However, Rowland abruptly left the NBC studio before her appearance, reportedly due to her dissatisfaction with the dressing room she was assigned.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Kotb took the opportunity during Tuesday’s episode of the show to express her unwavering support and affection for Rowland. “I have great love and admiration for Kelly Rowland,” Kotb declared. “I adore her and I want her to come back on our show.”
While Kotb did not directly confirm the reports about Rowland’s departure, she did offer a solution that could potentially mend any grievances. “When she comes back, we’ll be in it together,” Kotb said with a laugh. “I just want to say we love her. We’ve loved her on this show for many, many, many years.”
Rowland, who did make an appearance on an earlier hour of “Today” as a guest, has yet to comment on the matter. CNN reached out to Rowland’s representative for a statement but has not received a response at the time of writing.
In the absence of Rowland, singer Rita Ora stepped in as Kotb’s co-host. Kotb commended Ora’s performance, stating that she “came in at the last second and really did a phenomenal job.” It is clear that Kotb holds a high regard for the talented women who contribute to the success of “Hoda & Jenna.” “We have great women on this show,” she emphasized, with Hager nodding in agreement.
Interestingly, Rowland made an appearance on the Sherri Shepherd show the day after her departure from “Hoda & Jenna.” In a comical twist, Shepherd left a comment on her show’s official Instagram page, assuring fans that Rowland was well taken care of during her visit. “Oh, we gave her a gorgeous room!” Shepherd wrote in response to a user’s comment about the presumed acceptability of Rowland’s dressing room.
As for Rowland’s future on “Hoda & Jenna,” it remains uncertain whether she will return to the show. Fans eagerly await any updates or statements from the singer herself. In the meantime, Kotb and Hager lightened the mood by jokingly agreeing that Hager is not permitted to take another day off until 2026.
The world of morning television is never short on surprises, and this dressing room controversy has certainly added a new layer of intrigue to the already captivating dynamic between the hosts of “Hoda & Jenna.” As fans eagerly await further developments, one thing is certain: the love and admiration between Hoda Kotb and Kelly Rowland remains unwavering.
