The departure of Hoda Kotb from the *Today* show came as a shock to many, including her close colleague Craig Melvin. 

In a recent interview with *Parade* magazine, Melvin shared his surprise 

and initial disbelief when Kotb informed him of her decision to leave the show after nearly 30 years at NBC.

Melvin, who has been a staple of *Today* for years, described the moment Kotb knocked on his dressing room door to share the news. 

He recalled, “She knocks on my door one morning, which was unusual. And she’s like, ‘You have a moment?’” 

Kotb, who was preparing to leave the network’s morning staple, sat down with Melvin and revealed, “I just wanted to tell you something. I’m leaving.”

At first, Melvin’s reaction was filled with concern. He immediately questioned whether Kotb was leaving due to health issues, asking, “Are you sick? Is everything OK?” Melvin further expressed his disbelief, thinking that no one leaves such a prominent position voluntarily. “I was like, ‘Well, no one leaves these jobs on their own,’” he admitted. However, Kotb assured him that her decision was her own. “She said, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” Melvin recalled. Despite her reassurance, Melvin was left stunned by the news and even went back to Kotb’s dressing room later to double-check. “It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game,” he reflected, noting that many past *Today* hosts, such as Jane Pauley and Ann Curry, did not leave on their own terms.

Kotb’s decision to step away from the *Today* show in September 2024 was influenced by her desire to prioritize her family as she approached her 60th birthday. She cited her daughters, Haley and Hope, and her mother, Sameha Kotb, as the main reasons behind her decision to leave her hosting role. After nearly three decades in the industry, Kotb wanted to enjoy more time with her loved ones while she was still at the peak of her career.

In her farewell announcement, Kotb expressed her gratitude to her colleagues and her excitement about the next chapter. “Craig, you were made for this job. You were literally made for this job,” Kotb gushed about her co-anchor in November 2024. “You have all the things that this job needs. You’re the right person for it.” Melvin, who was named as her successor, responded with a heartfelt acknowledgment. “It means a lot to inherit this from you,” Melvin said. “You’ve been the heart of this place for a long time. You helped save this show.”

Melvin, who had never anticipated such a career shift, described the opportunity to step into Kotb’s shoes as both thrilling and humbling. “I never dreamed that any of this would happen, which I think makes it even sweeter,” he said in the *Parade* interview. “Outside of getting married and having my kids, I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited about something.” Melvin shares his two children, Delano and Sybil, with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak.

On January 13, 2025, Melvin officially began his role as co-anchor alongside Savannah Guthrie, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the *Today* show. In a heartfelt gesture, Kotb surprised Melvin by writing him a poem, which he read aloud on air. The poem, which Kotb titled “Day One,” encouraged Melvin to embrace his new role with enthusiasm and confidence. “Craig! I’m moving forward, so reach back your hand. Grab the baton, your world will expand,” she wrote. The poem concluded with words of encouragement for Melvin’s success: “The time has arrived to rise like the sun. I am cheering for you, and a fabulous run!”

Since Kotb’s exit from the morning show, Jenna Bush Hager, Kotb’s former co-host, has continued to lead the *Today* show’s fourth hour, now called *Today with Jenna & Friends*. The segment features a rotating cast of celebrity guest hosts, including stars like Taraji P. Henson, Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria, and Michelle Buteau. Next week, actress Scarlett Johansson will join Bush Hager for the show.

The shift in the *Today* show lineup marks a new era for the morning staple, but the strong bonds between the hosts—especially between Hoda Kotb and Craig Melvin—continue to resonate. Melvin’s transition into the co-anchor role is a significant moment in his career, and with Kotb’s support, he’s poised to make his own mark on the beloved show.

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