'Today' host Hoda Kotb reveals her 'secret signal' to daughters during Thanksgiving Day Parade every year

‘Today’ host Hoda Kotb has shared secret signal with her two daughters, Haley and Hope, during Thanksgiving Day Parade
PUBLISHED NOV 24, 2023
Hoda Kotb gave ‘secret’ shoutout to her daughters, Haley and Hope, on live TV (Getty Images)
Hoda Kotb gave ‘secret’ shoutout to her daughters, Haley and Hope, on live TV (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Beloved 'Today' show host and mother of two, Hoda Kotb, revealed a secret signal she shares with her daughters, Haley and Hope, during the Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

While on live TV and in the company of her co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, Kotb gave a special shoutout to her daughters. This unique signal, previously shared with her 'Today with Hoda and Jenna' co-host Jenna Bush Hager, has been introduced to her daughters as well.

Kotb co-parents Haley and Hope with her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Hoda Kotb (@hodakotb)


 

Hoda Kotb shares secret signal with daughters

While hosting the parade alongside her 'Today' show co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, 59-year-old Hoda Kotb caught the attention of fans with a subtle and playful gesture.

Guthrie kicked off adding, “The parade's grand arrival is just moments away now.”

As they began the program, 51-year-old Hoda Kotb gave a playful signal, rubbing her teeth and smiling at the camera.

Meanwhile, Guthrie continued, “Millions at home and in the crowd are watching in anticipation and are about to go wild.”

Kotb, in a lighthearted moment, put her tongue over her teeth before proceeding with her part of the introduction.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by TODAY (@todayshow)


 

What is Hoda Kotb’s secret signal?

On a recent episode of ‘Today’, Hoda Kotb explained the meaning of the signal she made during the parade hosting.

She revealed, “Every year, I do a signal for my kids so that they know that Momma is looking at them.”

When asked by co-host Jenna Bush Hager, “what do you normally do for your kids?” Kotb shared that, “Haley and Hope think I should do, I should blow a kiss."

Hager, curious about Kotb’s routine, turned to the girls for confirmation. She asked, “But Haley, what has she normally done?”

Haley confirmed saying, “She pulls her ear.”



 

Kotb revealed that she and her co-host Jenna Bush Hager have a unique pre-show signal for alerting each other about lipstick on their teeth.

This year, Kotb chose to incorporate this signal while hosting the parade. Hager, amused by the idea of adding an ear tug to the signal, commented jokingly, "I told her that might be too dramatic, but I'm into it."

Embracing the playful challenge from Hager, Kotb not only went for the teeth rub but also added the ear tug to her repertoire of signals during the parade hosting.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@hodaandjenna)


 

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