‘Today’ hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager defend ‘Barbie’ from critics slamming its feminist tone
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, the dynamic co-hosts of the ‘Today' show, have rallied in support of the recently released ‘Barbie’ film directed by Greta Gerwig. On August 4, the pair defended the movie against critics who label it as “too feminist.” In a spirited conversation, Kotb and Hager addressed the movie's impact on women's empowerment and relationships.
Kotb highlighted a recent feature story that reported how the film, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, is inspiring women to stand up against unfulfilling relationships. The movie's message encourages women to realize their voices matter and that they don't have to settle for less.
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Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager have Barbie’s back
The live-action adaptation of the iconic Mattel doll, ‘Barbie’, portrays Barbie's journey of self-discovery as she transitions from living as a doll in the seemingly perfect Barbie Land to becoming a real human. Co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film resonates with audiences and has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. The film has made its mark in cinema, emerging victorious in the highly-anticipated "Barbenheimer" battle. During their discussion, Kotb referenced a recent feature story that highlighted the inspiring impact of the movie, featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her reliable sidekick Ken. The film reportedly encourages women to end unfulfilling relationships, prompting Kotb to remark, "They say that the movie is ending relationships left and right... Because women are realizing they have a voice. They can speak. They don't have to say, 'Well, that's good enough'.”
Hager who is planning to watch ‘Barbie’ again with her daughter Mila, commended the movie for empowering women to express their needs. She expressed her admiration, stating, "You know what I love? That a doll that never said one word is teaching women to use their voices.” Hager referenced a social media post, “One woman wrote (on social media) that she actually dumped her boyfriend when he complained about the movie's feminist tone.” Playfully, Hager added, "Actually, I would have dumped my boyfriend then, too”.
While Kotb hadn't seen ‘Barbie’ at the time of the discussion, she considered criticisms against its feminist themes as revealing a person's beliefs. She asserted, "If you're bothered by the fact that women are empowered, then probably, there's a problem.” Kotb then shared another social media post from a viewer who felt empowered to demand better in life. "I think it's good," Kotb remarked. "I think if anything it opens your eyes and makes you think to yourself, 'Wow. I don't need to settle for this’.” Hager speculated that the film's influence extended beyond romance, suggesting, “I bet it's also empowering women to ask for more money and to change jobs.” Hoda agreed, emphasizing, “Listen, you only get one ride. If you're not going to say, 'I deserve that,' without feeling sheepish, or 'This is not enough for me’.”
Jenna Bush Hager ‘cried’ over ‘Barbie’
Kotb and Hager’s discussion regarding ‘Barbie’ follows Hager’s heartfelt revelation that she cried “multiple times” while watching the film with her 7-year-old daughter, Poppy. Hager openly admitted, "I cried, and I know I'm an easy crier." She further expressed her admiration, describing the movie as "beautiful." For Hager, the film struck a chord as it delved into profound themes that encompassed the essence of humanity, womanhood, and motherhood. She describing the movie to her co-host, saying it's about “what it means to be human, what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a mother, all of those things.”
