Jenna Bush Hager, a familiar face on the Today show and co-host alongside Hoda Kotb, found herself in a humorous yet somewhat awkward situation during a recent episode. The 41-year-old anchor, known for her candid and light-hearted approach, made a jest about what she finds attractive in men, only to quickly realize she had “gone too far.”
The conversation between Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb began innocently enough as they discussed an article suggesting that one of the most appealing qualities in a man is his penchant for reading. Kotb, aged 59, shared her viewpoint, deeming it “hot” when she sees a man engrossed in a book.
Bush Hager, who has been happily married to her husband, Henry Hager, for 15 years, wholeheartedly agreed with Kotb’s sentiment. She playfully took it a step further, adding a touch of humor to the conversation. Bush Hager jokingly confessed that when she comes across a man reading, she experiences a sensation akin to becoming “dehydrated.” Her playful comment elicited laughter from her co-host and the audience.
Jenna Bush Hager (Credits: @jennabhager/Instagram)
As the conversation continued, Kotb posed a hypothetical scenario to Bush Hager, asking her to imagine encountering a man reading a book while sitting on a park bench in the picturesque Central Park. Bush Hager paused for a moment, perhaps lost in a whimsical daydream, before responding. With a playful tone, she mentioned that if the fictional gentleman were also sporting eyeglasses, it would make the scenario even more appealing. She humorously suggested that such a sight could potentially lead to a romantic affair.
With a twinkle in her eye, Bush Hager quipped, “If they have little eyeglasses too, just sitting reading, and if they’re reading something I respect? I mean, that could be a means for an affair.” Her comment was intended purely for comedic effect, and she made sure to emphasize that it was all in jest.
Realizing the potential implications of her light-hearted remark, Jenna Bush Hager quickly clarified her intentions. She wanted to assure viewers that her comment was made in jest and not to be taken seriously. She reiterated her unwavering commitment to her husband, Henry, stating, “I would never. Henry and I are very happy, and he reads.”
However, her co-host, Hoda Kotb, couldn’t help but notice a slight defensiveness in Bush Hager’s response. Kotb, known for her perceptive interviewing skills, gently probed further, inquiring why Bush Hager seemed to be getting defensive about the playful joke.
Bush Hager candidly admitted, “Because I shouldn’t have said that! I went too far.” Her willingness to acknowledge her momentary lapse in judgment showcased her self-awareness and her ability to laugh at herself.
Jenna Bush Hager, originally from Dallas, has been married to her husband, Henry Chase Hager, for a remarkable 15 years. The couple shares three children together: daughters Mila, aged 10, and Poppy, aged 8, as well as a son named Hal, aged 4. Their loving family and shared appreciation for reading continue to bring joy to their lives. While playful banter on the show may lead to humorous quips, Jenna and Henry’s commitment to their marriage remains unshaken.
