Hoda Kotb Teases ‘Something Fun’ With Joanna Gaines After ‘Today’ Exit: ‘Gotta Take First Steps’

Hoda Kotb may have bid farewell to Today, but she isn’t stepping away from the spotlight just yet. 

The beloved television personality recently teased an exciting new project alongside Joanna Gaines, hinting at a fresh chapter in her career.

On Wednesday, February 5, Kotb, 60, took to Instagram to share the news with her followers, 

posting a series of behind-the-scenes photos of herself and Gaines, 46, filming together. She captioned the post with an intriguing message:

“Remember I was talking about repotting — gotta take first steps. We have something fun cooking! Come along on the great adventure. Stay tuned. I love @joannagaines.”

Though she didn’t reveal many details about the project, the post quickly gained attention, with fans and friends expressing their excitement. Among those cheering her on was her former Today co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, who commented, “Missing you and loving this ❤️.”

A New Beginning After Nearly Three Decades at NBC

Kotb’s departure from Today in September 2024 came as a surprise to many longtime viewers. After nearly three decades at NBC, she made the emotional announcement, explaining her decision to step away from the morning show.

“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new. This is the right time for me to move on,” Kotb shared at the time. She also cited her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, as a major motivation for stepping back, wanting to prioritize time with her family.

While Kotb left her co-hosting duties, she reassured fans that she wasn’t leaving NBC entirely. Reflecting on her long career with the network, she expressed deep gratitude for the friendships and experiences she had gained over the years.

“My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life,” she said. “But only because you’ve been beside me on this 26-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News — 10 years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, 16 on the 10 o’clock hour.”

She gave a heartfelt tribute to her Today family, calling Savannah Guthrie “my rock,” Jenna Bush Hager “my ride-or-die,” and Al Roker “my longest friend at 30 Rock.” She also gave a warm shoutout to Craig Melvin, Carson Daly, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer, calling them “family.”

Savannah Guthrie’s Support for Kotb’s Decision

While fans were shocked by Kotb’s departure, her close friend and co-host Savannah Guthrie revealed that it wasn’t a complete surprise. In an interview with Us Weekly in October 2024, Guthrie shared that she and Kotb had spoken about this transition for years.

“Hoda and I have had this discussion for years and years,” Guthrie said. “We’re dear friends, and we have a lot of similarities. We’re basically in the same phase of life.”

She explained that both she and Kotb had children later in life, making it understandable why Kotb wanted to shift her focus toward family. “It makes a lot of sense to me what she has decided,” Guthrie added.

A Heartfelt Farewell on ‘Today’

Kotb’s final Today episode in January 2025 was an emotional one, featuring a week-long celebration dubbed the “Hoda-bration.” During her sendoff, she delivered touching words to her colleagues and gave a special message to her co-hosts.

“Savannah, oh, my God. You’re my person, you’re my person. You know who shows up for everybody? This girl. … She’s in the room, she’s always in the room, and I love you,” Kotb said.

She also had words of encouragement for Craig Melvin, who stepped in as her replacement. “Craig, I’m so happy for you. You’ve earned this, you own this … you’re gonna be fantastic. You’re gonna bring it home. Craig, you’re gonna be so good. You and Savannah are gonna be magic.”

What’s Next for Kotb and Gaines?

While Kotb hasn’t revealed exactly what she and Joanna Gaines are working on, fans are already speculating about the nature of the project. Given Gaines’ expertise in home design and Kotb’s storytelling background, the possibilities are endless.

Whether it’s a lifestyle series, a home renovation show, or something entirely different, Kotb’s excitement suggests that she’s ready to embrace this next chapter with enthusiasm.

For now, fans will have to stay tuned for more details, but one thing is certain—Hoda Kotb isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.