Blake Shelton Says Goodbye to Hoda Kotb as She Leaves ‘Today’
Evans Vestal Ward/NBC Reading Time: 2 minutes
Blake Shelton was recently a guest on Today, where he surprised longtime co-host Hoda Kotb ahead of her departure from the show after 17 years. Shelton teased Kotb as he recalled the time she “completely ran away from me” at a party.
Blake Shelton Says Goodbye to Hoda Kotb on Today
Shelton appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Today in video call to surprise Kotb, who has spoken about having a crush on him for years. Her co-host Jenna Bush Hager joked, “Hoda was in love with you for many years. I think she’s let that go.”
“I adore her,” Shelton said. “I’m happy for her, but I can’t believe we’re at this moment where she’s finally stepping out. I hope, Hoda, that you do a whole lot of what I’m doing these days, which is spending a lot more time at home.”
Shelton shared that he was calling from his ranch in Oklahoma, where he’s been spending a lot of time since leaving The Voice in 2023. The country singer said it was “a huge deal” for him to guest host the show with Kotb years ago.
“I know that you’re not going disappear, because I’ve been there,” Shelton told Kotb. “But I do know that a break’s going to be awesome for you. And I can’t wait to see what you do next, and I love you.”
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Shelton Teases Kotb About Past Encounter
“It’s funny, Jenna, you talking about Hoda saying I was her first love,” Shelton said during his appearance. “But I did run into her in Nashville one time, off camera, had nothing to do with television or anything. And I thought it was going to be our moment and she completely ran away from me.”
Kotb was shocked to hear this, while Hager explained that Kotb is “not leaving parties early anymore.” Kotb agreed, saying, “Blake, I’ve changed. I’m totally not that girl anymore.” Hager then asked if Shelton would have “shot your shot” with Kotb if she hadn’t run away.
Shelton told Hager to “slow your roll a little bit.” The show then played a clip of Shelton’s appearance in 2010, in which he serenaded Kotb on the guitar. After seeing it, Hager joked, “Blake, you tried to kiss her at that party. I felt it.”
