Hoda Kotb often shares glimpses into her personal life when on Today or Today with Hoda and Jenna, opening up recently about a rather embarrassing childhood memory.
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On a recent installment of the show without her usual co-host Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda talked to replacement co-star Willie Geist about being stuck in the friend-zone.
VIDEO: Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager host New Year's Eve Special
"I feel like I was always seen as the friend," she said. "When someone would approach at the dance, I would think 'it's happening, it's happening,' and they're like 'hey, do you think your friend would dance with me if I asked?'"
"No!" Willie replied, supporting her by saying: "It's hard to believe sitting here today."
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Hoda then launched into a story she described as "super painful," opening up about an incident when she was at a party.
"We were playing spin the bottle, we were in seventh grade, just for the kiss. Spun the bottle, it landed on a guy named Todd, and I had never been more excited."
Hoda opened up to co-host Willie about being in the friend-zone
"Do you know what he said?" she asked, which left Willie feeling quite anxious. She responded: "He said 'I think that's going a little too far.' It was a bone crusher."
Her co-host immediately said, in a mocking tone: "Where's Todd now? Todd, where you at, Todd?" which left Hoda in hysterics.
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She continued: "I do remember thinking in that moment, oh my god, I don't think I fit, I don't know where my place is. For everybody who's ever been the weird one, we know what you feel like!"
Willie lifted Hoda up by adding: "The moral of the story is that someday you turn out to be Hoda Kotb," to which some of the other people in the studio responded by cheering.
© Photo: Getty ImagesHoda has been hosting without Jenna as she recovers from COVID
Fans rushed to support Hoda as well, calling out Todd with comments like: "Big mistake Todd!! HUGE!"
The NBC star has been hosting her hour-long segment of the show without her close friend and co-star Jenna, who tested positive for COVID earlier in the week.
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