In a heartfelt conversation on Today With Hoda & Jenna, Hoda Kotb shared a candid moment about a former boss who made some less-than-kind comments about her physique. Hoda, now 60, didn’t shy away from discussing the impact these remarks had on her, showing just how deeply these experiences can linger.
A Moment Inspired by Timothée Chalamet’s Story
The topic arose when Hoda and her co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, were talking about Timothée Chalamet’s recent interview with Rolling Stone U.K.. In the interview, the acclaimed actor opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career due to his body type. Timothée revealed that he often heard feedback like, “You don’t have the right body.” An agent once even told him they’d stop submitting him for big roles unless he gained weight. “I was trying,” Timothée explained. “I just couldn’t put on the weight no matter what I did.”
Hoda immediately connected with Timothée’s experience, reflecting on her own journey in the world of television. “Sometimes, people tell you things that make you feel like you’re not the right fit,” she said thoughtfully. “I remember when I first started in a small market. I was coming straight out of high school basketball, so I always assumed I was in shape—even though, looking back, I probably wasn’t.”
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That Uncomfortable Conversation with a Boss
Hoda recalled the exact moment her boss approached her with some unexpected advice. “He pulled me aside one day and said, ‘Hey, Hoda, I’ve got an idea. Maybe you should try getting on the treadmill,’” she recounted. “I was taken aback. Here I was, thinking I was doing everything right, and suddenly I’m hearing this kind of feedback. It was eye-opening, to say the least.”
Jenna Bush Hager, 43, was clearly taken aback by the story, offering her full support to Hoda. “You know that feeling when your perception of yourself doesn’t match up with how others see you?” Hoda asked Jenna, who nodded in agreement. “It’s like reverse body dysmorphia,” Jenna responded, adding, “I totally get it.”
Confidence Through the Years
This wasn’t the first time Hoda has broached the subject of body image on the show. In April 2022, she explained why she chooses to wear bikinis rather than one-piece swimsuits. “My mom, who’s in her 80s, wears a bikini,” Hoda proudly shared. “She taught me that confidence comes from within. She’s tanned, bronzed, and absolutely beautiful.”
“Since then, I’ve followed her lead and wear a bikini too,” Hoda continued. “Who cares if parts of me aren’t perfect? It doesn’t matter! Life’s too short to live in fear.”
But Jenna admitted she wasn’t as comfortable with the idea of bikinis. “Some of us haven’t seen sunlight on our stomachs since we were 18!” she joked. “And when you throw kids in the air like I do with Mila, Poppy, and Hal, sometimes your swimsuit doesn’t stay where it should. So, yeah, I prefer to stay covered.”
