Hoda Kotb is like ‘boxing MC’ with Jenna Bush Hager in ‘competitive’ moment that ‘lacks genuine friendship,’ expert says
HODA Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s seemingly cozy friendship on the Today Show has been labeled fake by a body language expert.
And she claimed that the NBC presenters’ new Christmas single would provide interesting listening given their “lack of synchronicity” on set.
Hoda, 59, and Jenna, 42, released a surprise Christmas track today titled “Carefree Christmas.”
The album cover shows the pair grinning wearing red scarves and Santa hats, with Jenna’s arm placed around Hoda’s right shoulder.
In the run-up to the music release, a clip was shared on Instagram that showed Hoda and Jenna discussing the project.
Body language expert Judi James claimed Hoda showed a “cynical vibe” toward Jenna and “shouted over” her.
Holding up their album cover, Hoda said the “star of the show” wasn’t pictured, with both giving credit to Cheryl, their singing teacher.
In an exclusive interview, James told The U.S. Sun that the cohosts’ chummy TV relationship isn’t what it seems.
“Hoda and Jenna’s body language is totally out of sync,” she said.
“When they try to sync to suggest friendship and rapport, it is minimal.
“They constantly talk over each other and with no segue linking. This creates an air of competitive behavior.
“Hoda sits back in her chair, speaking loudly enough to be the most dominant.
“She shouts out and over Jenna without any softness or affection, like a boxing MC shouting boxers into the ring.
“Her vibe toward Jenna is even cynical.”
James noticed Jenna struggling to whip up “interest and sales” for the Christmas single.
“Jenna waves her hands around as though she is on QVC,” she added.
“She even chops at her own arm.
“This suggests a sense of frustration to get her sales pitch heard over Hoda’s shouting.”
In April, the co-hosts celebrated four years together at NBC.
Jenna took up the seat on Today’s 10 o’clock hour in 2019 after Kathie Lee Gifford left the channel.
On her first day, the Bush twin watched a video message from her father, George W. Bush, and mother, Laura Bush.
Hoda, a veteran broadcaster, podcaster, and New York Times bestselling author, joined the program in 2007.
Today initially extended programming to a fourth hour. The debut show was hosted by Ann Curry, Natalie Morales, and Hoda.
Two other clips of Hoda and Jenna were shared on Instagram on Sunday.
They both showed Jenna’s early birthday celebrations.
In one clip, James noticed Hoda “mocked” Jenna over being “older than Chicken McNuggets.”
“Jenna and Hoda’s body language defines two very different personalities,” she said.
“Their relationship is light on any congruent signals of a close, synchronized friendship.
“The first birthday clip also showed Hoda establishing full control again.
“She slaps both hands down on the glass table at the start to dominate the moment.
“Again, she shouts out Jenna’s full name without any softness or affection.
“Here is the boxing MC shouting the boxers into the ring again.”
James said the second birthday clip revealed further disjoint.
“Hoda talks about Jenna being older than Chicken McNuggets,” she said.
“She seems to playfully mock the fact she is younger.
“This suggested she is therefore less experienced.”
Former teacher Jenna’s TV career began in 2009 when she joined NBC News as a correspondent and contributor.
This came after meeting her husband, Harry Hager, while volunteering on her father’s campaign.
From there, Jenna became a regular presenter on the network.
James added: “Whatever Hoda does, Jenna does tend to look more submissive and less confident.
“It is in those instances when Jenna starts to talk that Hoda interrupts and takes over.
“When Jenna gets her birthday cake on set and talks, Hoda is seen leaning out with one fist held to her face.
“The fact that they are releasing a song together will be interesting given they lack synchronicity on set.
“Their vocal tones and techniques are so contrasting it will be interesting to hear if they are harmonizing when they sing.
“Both tend to shout louder when they vie to get heard.
“This means it might be wise to keep the volume switch on low for this song.”