When beloved Today show anchor Hoda Kotb announced her departure from NBC’s morning news juggernaut on September 26, emotions ran high. Wiping away tears, Hoda seemed to be saying goodbye to her on-screen family. But as it turns out, behind the scenes, she’s more than thrilled to be leaving the drama behind and stepping away from what insiders describe as a toxic environment filled with backstabbing cohosts.
A Bittersweet Farewell
While Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager put on a show of devastation over Hoda's exit, sources reveal they're actually quite pleased to see her go. This news might come as a surprise to fans who have watched the trio on screen for years, but insiders paint a different picture of the camaraderie behind the scenes. It seems the goodbyes may not be as heartfelt as they appear on camera.
Hoda's True Reasons for Leaving
At 60 years old, Hoda has been an integral part of the Today show since 2007, first hosting the fourth hour before stepping into the 7 a.m. slot alongside Savannah in January 2018. Her official explanation for leaving? Spending more time with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5. However, according to those in the know, there's more to the story. "Hoda is deeply relieved to be out of that Mean Girls scene," one source reveals. The behind-the-scenes dynamics were reportedly less than ideal.
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Hoda stepped into her role after Matt Lauer was fired following allegations of sexual harassment and abuse, which he denies. Despite her experience and seniority, Hoda always felt like an outsider due to Savannah's frosty demeanor and possible jealousy. "Savannah has always been bothered by Hoda's deep connection with the audience," an insider says. "When they go into the plaza, there are always more people wanting to take pictures and talk with Hoda. It drives Savannah crazy!"
A Complex Relationship with Savannah
Hoda knew she wasn't Savannah's first choice to replace Matt. In fact, Savannah reportedly wanted Willie Geist, but the viewers decided otherwise. "She got the job despite Savannah," one source explains. Even though Hoda had been at the show longer, she never quite fit in with the group, thanks to Savannah’s icy reception.
While Savannah kept Hoda at a distance, she embraced Jenna Bush Hager, which only added fuel to the fire. The dynamic between the three women was tense, and Hoda was eager to step away from it all. But don’t worry—she’s sincere about wanting more family time. "Obviously I had my kids late in life and they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie," she said.
NBC's Desperate Efforts to Keep Hoda
Network executives are pulling out all the stops to keep Hoda within the NBC family. They’ve reportedly invested a staggering $20 million annual salary in her and are now offering her a role similar to Diane Sawyer's—big celebrity interviews and primetime specials. "They're falling all over themselves to keep her," a source shares. It's no secret that CBS is eager to poach her, especially since they recently parted ways with anchors Norah O’Donnell and Jeff Glor. "CBS would love to pair her with Gayle King on their morning show," another source adds. "They would make a formidable combination."
Insiders say all these offers must be making Savannah and Jenna feel a bit uneasy. Although Hoda will continue cohosting Today until January, she's already counting down the days until she can leave what she calls "the high school scene" behind. "She knows she's a hot commodity," a source confirms.
What’s Next for Hoda?
As Hoda prepares for her next chapter, it’s clear she’s ready to embrace new opportunities. Whether she stays with NBC or joins CBS, one thing is certain—she’s a force to be reckoned with. Fans will undoubtedly continue to cheer her on, no matter where her journey takes her next.
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