Wynonna Judd’s cohosting gig on Today With Hoda & Jenna was an emotional episode for Jenna Bush Hager.
The women opened the show’s Thursday, January 30, episode by offering their condolences to the victims of the Washington, D.C. plane crash that occurred the night prior. “Our show, what we hope to do — and I’m so thrilled that I get to do it with you — is to bring some joy to all of you that are with us feeling that same pain,” Bush Hager, 43, said to her celebrity guest host.
Spreading joy is exactly why Judd, 60, said she wanted to sit alongside Bush Hager in the first place. “That’s why I came. I was gonna tell you this. Last night, I didn’t sleep at all because I just have you on my heart,” she shared. “I watch you every day. And I went on my own in 1992, solo, and I think about you so much. And you’re a mom and a wife, and I don’t know how you’re doing this.”
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Wynonna rose to fame alongside her late mother, Naomi Judd, in the musical duo The Judds before launching her solo music career. Bush Hager was also part of a famous duo, having cohosted the fourth hour of Today alongside Hoda Kotb since 2019. Kotb exited the morning show after nearly 30 years working for NBC earlier this month.
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s Best BFF Moments Over the Years
“But I just want to affirm you and say being authentic is lonely, and I can imagine you feel that way sometimes,” Wynonna continued. “But I just love you and I appreciate you and I admire you so much.”
The country star went on to note that as “easy” as celebrities make things look on the surface, “The truth is we’re paddling like heck underneath the waters,” adding, “I had to do this show. I don’t really love live TV ’cause I’m always afraid I’m gonna go viral for the wrong reasons, but I just had to do this. I just admire you for doing this on your own. I have you on my heart ’cause I did it myself. I went out on my own. I stepped into my own.”
In addition to making Bush Hager tear up with her kind words, Wynonna also made the TV personality choke up by singing a line from the song“You’ll Never Walk Alone”. She sang, “When the voices are speaking to you, just remember, ‘Walk through the storm, hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark. Walk on.’ That’s what you’re doing. I wanted to make you cry. That was my goal too.”
Her plan worked, as Bush Hager noted it was the first time she had cried on air since Kotb’s Today exit. “I haven’t actually cried since Hoda left, so I felt like my heart was all crusted over, but it’s not,” she stated. “Thank you so much. That was beautiful and lovely.”
Wynonna is one of several celebrities who have cohosted Jenna & Friends with Bush Hager in the wake of Kotb’s departure. During her final episode on January 10, Kotb gushed about her nearly six years of cohosting Today’s fourth hour with Bush Hager.
“Six unforgettable years, uncontrollable laughter and pure friendship. I can hardly even say her name without laughing out loud, but that is not the part I fell in love with,” she read from a letter she wrote during a prerecorded video package. “I fell in love with her tears, her vulnerable, lovable self. And as I say in my cards to her, ‘You’re all mine and we’re all ours.’”
In a farewell message of her own, Bush Hager thanked Kotb for “everything you have taught me, everything you’ve given me, all the hugs, all the heart, all the laughs, all the love,” adding, “I will miss you, my friend, but I love you and I’m so proud. Love always and forever, Jenna.”
Us Weekly
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