'Today' host Hoda Kotb bails on co-anchors as she heads out of studio to entertain A-list superstar
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: ‘Today’ host Hoda Kotb recently left her co-hosts stranded in the studio after she disappeared to entertain an A-list superstar and singer Carrie Underwood outside the building.
Kotb spent time with Underwood before her performance at the Rockefeller Plaza while Savannah Guthrie, Carson Daly, and Craig Melvin were left in the studio for the Pop Start segment.
Kotb who is usually present for this segment decided to opt out and host her special segment from outside the building with country singer Underwood.
Hoda Kotb ditches co-hosts for special segment with Carrie Underwood
For Thursday's (September 14) PopStart segment, Kotb was missing in action. The only anchors beside Daly, while he gave his daily pop culture report, were Guthrie and Melvin.
Kotb who is usually present for PopStart, reported live from outside of the Rockefeller Plaza, in New York City, where the morning show is taped.
This came as a surprise for many viewers but her co-host Guthrie revealed why Kotb wasn’t present with them.
"Hoda I know exactly where you are," Guthrie said as she signaled for producers to cut toward Kotb.
When the camera was on Hoda, she stood adjacent to Underwood, informing the live audience surrounding them that the Grammy winner would be performing soon outside of the studio.
Kotb said, ”Carrie Underwood is just where she belongs; she's on our plaza.” She added that Underwood was going to "rock the plaza for the first time in many years.”
Kotb spoke to Underwood about her performance and entertained the viewers with valuable insights about the singer.
However, Kotb didn’t return to the studio for the PopStart Segment, leaving her three co-hosts to complete the job on the day.
Hoda Kotb disappears from ‘Today’ without any information
Kotb was absent from the morning show on September 13 after sharing a cryptic post about "5 life-changing mindset shifts" on her Instagram.
Many speculated that given the multiple health concerns she has had with her four-year-old daughter Hope, it's possible something could have come up.
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Although, there was no confirmation or news as to why Kotb was missing from ‘Today.’
She told viewers in March: "My youngest daughter Hope was in the ICU for a few days and in the hospital for a little more than a week and I'm so grateful she's home.
It's unclear if Hoda will return for the next episode of 'Today' just yet.