Jenna Bush Hager Jokes She's in Her 'Dating Era' as She Welcomes Celebrity Guest Co-Hosts on Today After Hoda Kotb's Exit

01/13/2025 10:40 AM

Taraji P. Henson served as the first celebrity guest co-host following Kotb's 'Today' exit

Jenna Bush Hager is stepping into a new era!

The Today show co-anchor kicked off her first solo fourth hour of Today with Jenna & Friends on Monday, Jan. 13 following the exit of her pal and longtime colleague Hoda Kotb on Friday, Jan. 10. 

Bush Hager, 43, filled in for Today's Morning Boost segment, previously provided by Kotb, during the show's first hour, and then stepped into her new role as the main host of the morning show's fourth hour. 

Related: Craig Melvin Cries as He Reads Encouraging Letter from Hoda Kotb During First Broadcast as Today Co-Anchor

Joining her at the round table was actress and advocate Taraji P. Henson, who served as the first celebrity co-host of the show. 

Bush Hager started her show with a mirror pep talk to herself, saying, "Okay, JBH, it's a new show. It's a new era. You got this! My mind is clear, my heart is full. I haven't been this nervous since that Texas product of Les Mis."

Henson, 54, knocked on her dressing room door, assuring Bush Hager, "Relax, you got this! I got you!"

The two women kicked off the show speaking out about the devastating wildfires in California.

"I'm so glad to be here with you, though," Henson told Bush Hager. "Because this is a great opportunity. Humans need humans and we step up and we bring the world joy. We can't all go dark."

Bush Hager praised Henson for fulfilling her co-hosting commitment amid the devastating.

"The fact that you're here today when your beloved city is hurting, and you could be anywhere, but you're bringing joy and goodness," Bush Hager told Henson. "It means a lot to me, and it's our first day, which is a little crazy."

When asked how she was feeling about her new chapter on Today, Bush Hager quipped that she was a "child bride" having married her husband Henry Hager when she was 26 years old.

"And so I haven't dated, and this is kind of my dating era, and you're my first date," Bush Hager quipped to Henson.

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Before stepping into the studio, Bush Hager was given the Carrie Bradshaw treatment, running around the streets of Manhattan as the Sex and the City theme song played just like Sarah Jessica Parker's iconic sex columnist character in the hit HBO series' opening credits. 

Running in a vibrant pink coat while holding a cup of coffee, Bush Hager passed the new Today with Jenna & Friends sign as she smiled for the camera. 

"Strutting into a new beginning 🩷 #JennaandFriends," she captioned the post on Instagram. 

Related: Jenna Bush Hager Cries During Farewell to Hoda Kotb on the Today Show: 'Endings Can Be Hard'

Kotb, who exited the Today show after 17 years on the air last week, sent well wishes to her longtime friend and collaborator. 

"'jenna bush hager' ..am doing the arms right now," Kotb captioned a photo of Bush Hager's new promotional poster. "Sleep tight— then….tomorrow morning …. Begin again…you are magic! @jennabhager."

The book-loving daughter of former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush recently opened up about how she plans to step into her new era while taking lessons from Kotb with her. 

"I hope to be as generous as she has been. Every joke that I say is funny because of Hoda. She tees me up. She knows how to light me up," Bush Hager shared with PEOPLE earlier this month. "She is so positive. She is so joyful. She says thank you and please, and all the things that I want in a friend. She's kind and giving to every single person on our staff. And she knows that it's important — the tone she sets. I think we have set it together, but to know that that's on me is such a privilege and responsibility. I've learned from the best. And what big shoes to fill because her optimism is just beautiful."