Justin Sylvester sang Jenna Bush Hager’s praises for her positive attitude and “welcoming” presence alongside guest cohosts who appear on Today show’s fourth hour, noting that anyone who sits next to her “immediately will feel like home.”
The E! News personality, 38, said Jenna, 43, has a knack for making others comfortable after he stopped by the studio to lead the broadcast last week from February 18 to February 21.
“She’s so southern, and us Southern girls are so welcoming, but just to see her in this journey, taking on this role has been a blessing for me, and I’m just so proud to say I have been there since day one,” Justin, who first cohosted with Jenna in 2022 as a fill-in for Hoda Kotb, gushed to People.
“I just am reminded every time I see her as to how funny she is. I’m always in stitches in the makeup room, always in stitches during commercial break, and always in stitches on set. I mean, this girl is so funny and just so down to earth, you wouldn’t believe it.”
Prior to his guest cohosting gig, Justin said he got solid advice from a longtime pal. “Kyle Richards is always my rock, and her just reminding me to be myself and reminding me that I got this was huge,” Justin shared about the words of wisdom he got from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 56, during his interview.
“This is something that I had been praying for and something that I hoped would happen since the day I found out about Jenna & Friends, and to be the first gay BFF was kind of an honor,” he added.
As Closer previously reported, Today With Hoda & Jenna relaunched under the new title Today With Jenna & Friends after Hoda’s departure and final episode on January 10.
Since then, Jenna has enjoyed a handful of guest cohosts including Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer and Scarlett Johansson — just to name a few.
Fans can look forward to seeing comedian Heather McMahan this week from Monday, February 24 to Friday, February 28.
“Listen, if Jenna said, ‘Will you come hang out with me at Trader Joe’s?’ I would come,” Justin quipped to the publication. “Anyone who gets to sit in that seat should feel honored, and if she wanted me back there, I would be there in a drop of a hat.”
“To see myself in a monitor or in a photo on that set is so surreal. I’ve been doing The Scoop segment for the last four years, but it’s different when you sit in the chair and you cohost on one of the biggest morning platforms,” he continued. “It’s fun to hear, ‘Oh, my mom is a big fan of yours,’ or, ‘My aunt just totally loves you.’ I just love it.”
Jenna had a blast with Justin and said she was overjoyed to have one of her “favorite funny people” joining her this week.
“I need to get the Depends ready because nobody makes me laugh harder than Heather,” Jenna teased on February 20. “She is cohosting all week. We are going to laugh, I know some of the things we’re doing, it’s going to be hysterical and fun.”
“She has such a good soul, I think we’ll see a different side of her too,” Jenna added.
