Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, recently revealed that network executives initially discouraged her from using her signature Southern greeting, “Hey, y’all,” on the show. They perceived it as not inclusive to the entire country. Bush Hager pushed back, asserting that the phrase is an integral part of her identity and refusing to compromise her authenticity.
“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. Her co-host, Hoda Kotb, shared similar experiences from earlier in her career, recounting pressures to conform to network expectations regarding appearance and speech. Kotb described feeling forced to change her image, leading to a sense of inauthenticity on air. She felt she was trying to “fit in” and “speak their language” rather than being her true self.
Bush Hager ultimately resisted the network’s attempt to suppress her Texas roots, recognizing that pretending to be a traditional “news person” felt unnatural and forced. She questioned the need to conform, highlighting the importance of genuineness in connecting with viewers. Bush Hager acknowledged her limitations as an actor and emphasized the discomfort of trying to portray someone she’s not. The genuine connection and authentic personalities of Hoda and Jenna are a defining characteristic of the show, allowing viewers to connect with them on a personal level. This authenticity includes Bush Hager’s occasional use of “y’all,” showcasing the hosts’ embrace of their true selves.
