Country singer Wynona Judd brought Today cohost Jenna Bush Hager to tears when she joined the show as a celebrity guest anchor during the Thursday, January 30, episode of the morning talk show.
Jenna, 43, started the segment of Today With Jenna & Friends during the fourth hour by acknowledging the 67 victims who died in the fatal collision between an American Airlines flight and a military helicopter the day prior. While giving her condolences, the journalist shared that the point of the Today show is to spread “joy to all of you that are with us feeling that same pain.”
Wynonna, 60, caught Jenna by surprise when she revealed that she agreed to come on the show to brighten her day.
“That’s why I came. I was gonna tell you this. Last night, I didn’t sleep at all because I just have you on my heart,” the “No One Else On Earth” artist said. “I watch you every day. And I went on my own in 1992, solo, and I think about you so much. And you’re a mom and a wife, and I don’t know how you’re doing this.”
Jenna looked visibly surprised by Wynonna’s heartfelt message and began to cry when the Grammy-winning artist continued, “But I just want to affirm you and say being authentic is lonely, and I can imagine you feel that way sometimes. But I just love you and I appreciate you and I admire you so much.”
Wynonna sang a few lyrics from the Elvis Presley song “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” before joking to Jenna, “I wanted to make you cry, that was my goal.”
“I haven’t actually cried since Hoda left. I felt like my heart was crusted over, but it’s not! Thank you so much, that was beautiful and lovely,” Jenna replied.
Both the musician and TV host embarked on their respective solo careers after initially being a part of a duo.
Wynonna rose to fame in the ‘80s alongside her late mother, Naomi Judd. The mother-daughter duo, known as The Judds, went on to permanently make a mark in country music history. Wynonna began her solo career in 1992.
Jenna, on the other hand, joined forces with Hoda, 60, in 2019 and quickly became an iconic duo for their self-titled show Today With Hoda & Jenna during hour 4. Their journey together ended earlier this month. After Hoda announced her departure in September 2024, she cohosted her final episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna on January 10.
During one of their final moments together, Jenna and Hoda sobbed oncamera while interviewing actress Zosia Mamet. The Laid actress gushed over her friendship with former The Flight Attendant costar, Kaley Cuoco, and her message hit home with the hosts.
“I think it’s really special when you find someone who can make you laugh. No matter what, no matter what we’re going through, no matter what the day brings, no matter if we’re working a 16-hour day, 18-hour day, we just always make each other laugh. It’s really great,” Zosia said.
“I’m crying because she and I laugh together and she’s leaving. Oh my God, everything is… we’re really in a tough place,” Jenna responded with tears in her eyes, leading Hoda to admit they “can’t help” the waterworks.
