Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, recently revealed network executives initially discouraged her Southern “Hey, y’all!” greeting. They felt it wasn’t inclusive. Bush Hager pushed back, insisting it was part of her identity and refused to be inauthentic.
“They were like ‘Hey, y’all, isn’t for the whole country.’ And I was like, ‘Well, but it’s who I am,'” Bush Hager explained on a December 2nd broadcast. Co-host Hoda Kotb shared similar past pressures to conform to network expectations regarding appearance and speech. Kotb felt forced to change her image, leading to on-air inauthenticity. She felt she was trying to “fit in” and “speak their language” instead of being herself.
Bush Hager resisted suppressing her Texas roots, recognizing pretending to be a traditional “news person” felt unnatural. She questioned the need to conform, highlighting genuineness in connecting with viewers. Bush Hager acknowledged her limitations as an actor and the discomfort of being someone she’s not. The genuine connection and authentic personalities of Hoda and Jenna define the show, allowing viewers to connect personally. This authenticity includes Bush Hager’s occasional “y’all,” showcasing the hosts’ embrace of their true selves.