Jenna Bush Hager, take note — you too can enjoy a tremendous career transformation after your tenure as a traveling librarian. Now she’s lighting it up as the co-host on the fourth hour of NBC’s “Today” show. Since Hager assumed her current role, she has established herself as a force in the publishing arena. Her creation of the “Read With Jenna” monthly book club in 2019 was a major factor in her meteoric rise to fame. Through this initiative we have inspired a love for reading in our viewers. Beyond shaping her artistic practice, it has conferred upon her the role of provocateur and oracle in the literary world.
Said coveted, co-hosting gig on the “Today” show has produced extreme amounts of interest. Hoda Kotb’s exit in January opened up a high-profile slot for another new celebrity co-host. Currently, the segment goes by the placeholder name “Today With Jenna and Friends.” It features an exciting array of guest hosts, with A-list stars such as Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson, Ciara and Wynonna Judd. While each of these guests brings their own charisma and style to the show, the conversation is rife with speculation over who will actually take Kotb’s place.
Hager’s role is quite lucrative as well, as co-hosts are said to bring in approximately $5 million per year. This figure is pretty tamer by the standards of other morning television personalities. The chance is seen as a “second act” for many stars hoping to make a career comeback. As The Today Show’s Kathie Lee Gifford put it, her years in the job represented “the go-go, transformative era.” This after her 30-year collaboration with Regis Philbin on “Live!”
The enthusiasm for this new co-hosting position is electric. A source revealed that “their phone has been ringing off the hook,” indicating that numerous high-profile stars are vying for the chance to join Hager. Rumored to be interested are Bravo’s Andy Cohen, former NBA star Dwayne Wade, and model Tyra Banks. Cohen, who has privately lobbied for the position, underscores the draw that the gig has for celebs.
Hager’s position has been groundbreaking for others as well. Her co-hosting position previously helped advance Hoda Kotb’s career significantly. That career reformation history justifies making this role all the more attractive. Consequently, it has turned into one of the most competitive opportunities of all public postures.
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