Hoda Kotb has revealed that she often has rather awkward run-ins with excited fans who have mistaken her for another television host.
The 60-year-old star, who announced in September that she was leaving Today in January 2025, made the admission during a chat with Jenna Bush Hager on Wednesday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna.
Referring to Jenna's comments on Tuesday's show, Hoda said: 'Here's what happens to me... I know we're talking about you and Gayle and your secret plan to anchor together,' as the mother-of-three interrupted her and blurted out: 'Friendship!'
Hoda continued: 'Well, whenever I go out anywhere, inevitably somebody will say to me, "Oh my God, I love you and your bestie Oprah," and I always go "okay" and I just stop saying anything coz then it gets...,' as Jenna questioned her: 'Oh you just pretend you're Gayle?'
''I go, "Thank you,"' Hoda replied, as Jenna added: 'You pretend your bestie is Oprah! I know exactly what you're doing!'
Hoda then said: 'Well I thought it was just me who was mistaken for her, and she did say that sometimes it happens in reverse,' before they cut to a clip of Gayle speaking to her cohosts on CBS Mornings.
'I got stopped at the airport the other day by someone [and] they said, "I'm so sad you're leaving the Today show, but I'm glad you're gonna be spending time with your family,"' she revealed.
'I said, "Yes, it's a hard decision but I'm still gonna be around...," I didn't have the heart to tell her because she was so excited to talk to Hoda,' the 69-year-old added, as her cohosts laughed.
Hoda Kotb has revealed that she often has awkward run-ins with excited fans who have mistaken her for another television host
Hoda admitted to her cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, that people often mistake her for CBS Mornings host Gayle King
Mother-of-three Jenna was stunned when Hoda confirmed that she doesn't correct members of the public who think she is Gayle
It then cut back to the Today studio as Hoda commented: 'Samesies! I actually sent Gayle a video of somebody who came up to me and goes, "Miss King, I love you,"' as Jenna asked her: 'Where were you?'
'I was in Florida a little while ago and I took the video and sent it to her,' she replied, as Jenna added: 'It's hilarious!'
Referring to the CBS Mornings clip, Jenna then said: 'I mean by the way, their little caption said "identical strangers,"' as a stunned Hoda replied: 'Oh is that what it said? We're friends! Identical friends! Come on guys!'
Jenna then commented: 'Identical friends,' before talking directly to the TV host: 'But also Gayle, we will send you a clip of what I said about you yesterday, okay?'
Hoda responded: 'Okay, let me just say, Jenna's obsessed. And we all are, but Jenna can't stop talking about her,' as Jenna admitted: 'I'm into Gayle, okay? Sue me!'
'She's just trying to make me feel bad, why are you doing this?' Hoda fired back as Jenna referenced the fact that her cohost will be leaving her in a matter of weeks.
'This is my new process. You know when you get dumped? There's a period where you try to rub it in somebody's face,' the mother-of-three joked.
'Right, you flirt with others? Because it feels good,' Hoda replied, as Jenna added: 'And her name is Gayle!'
Gayle admitted on CBS Mornings that she also gets mistaken for Hoda
Hoda said 'my seat wasn't even cold yet' after Jenna suggested that Gayle could be her new cohost on the show
Hoda, pictured here in May 2024, has made the decision to quit her job at NBC in order to spend more time with her family
During Tuesday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Hoda clapped back at her cohost after she made a plea for Gayle to become her new permanent cohost.
The two women were talking about caring about opinions from people who matter and who 'love you' when Jenna shared an anecdote about Gayle.
'So, who was it? You were new at this job, you were just kind of getting started, you were learning on the job...,' Hoda said, as Jenna replied: 'I was and I went to the Olympics. Gayle King may not even remember this... I know she is your friend.'
'No, I love Gayle, she just...,' Hoda then said, as Jenna continued: 'I'm sorry, ever since she had Shaboozey, I feel like I'm rubbing salt in the wound,' referring to Gayle's recent sit-down interview with the singer.
'No it's fine, more about how awesome Gayle King is, please,' Hoda fired back sarcastically as Jenna then said: 'I'm sure you said nice things about me too, but Gayle had a radio show, and on the radio show... and I had gone to the Olympics in Vancouver and somebody sent this to me where she was like, "I love her, I love how real she is."
'She said this whole thing, it was so nice. I've never actually said to her thank you for doing that,' Jenna continued, before adding: 'So today, to my bestie, Gayle, there's a seat open....'
Hoda then blurted out: 'My seat isn't even cold yet!' but Jenna ignored it and continued her plea: 'Gayle, there's a seat open and I know you have a job at 60 Minutes and such, but Gayle and Jenna... it has a beautiful ring!'
The mother-of-three then added: 'Just kidding, anyway, I should say thank you for that because that made me feel so good.'
