Hoda Kotb Shares Thoughts on Watching Her First Full Oscars Ceremony on 'Today' Show

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager Break Down 2024 Oscars on Today

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The 2024 Oscars was a night to remember for Hollywood's top celebrities - and Hoda Kotb as well! Kotb, 59, shared on the Monday, March 11, episode of Today With Hoda and Jenna that she had never watched an entire Oscars show before, except for this one. This time, she managed to catch the ceremony while on a last-minute flight to New York City from West Palm Beach, Florida.

During the Sunday, March 10 ceremony, past winners of the major acting categories, including Best Actor and Actress and Best Supporting Actor and Actress, gave a brief speech about each nominee before presenting the award.

Hoda Kotb shared that Jamie Lee Curtis, who was seated to her right, was seen crying during the event. She was moved by the speech and the way it was delivered, among other things.

"How nice was it to have real people who know each other raise a toast?" Bush Hager, 42, expressed, with Kotb adding, "It was a beautiful moment."

Kotb also mentioned that the Oscars moment that had her and her friends laughing uncontrollably was when John Cena nearly appeared naked. The WWE star was supposed to streak across the stage as part of Jimmy Kimmel's joke, but instead awkwardly presented the award for Best Costume Design. (The award went to Holly Waddington for her work on Poor Things.)

"He's wearing Birkenstocks, which is the best part," Bush Hager mentioned about the viral moment. "Even though he's naked, he's got his Birks on. He's like everyone's wild uncle."

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager Break Down 2024 Oscars on Today

Kotb and Bush Hager both agreed that Ryan Gosling stole the show at the Oscars with his performance of “I’m Just Ken” from the Barbie movie. Kotb praised Gosling for his brilliance and how he and his cast seemed to have the most fun, despite not winning many awards that night.

"“I’m Just Ken” was nominated for Best Original Song, competing against “What Was I Made for?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The duo ultimately won their second Best Original Song award, making it the only Oscars win for Barbie.

Hager Bush concluded the Oscars talk by declaring this year’s awards ceremony, hosted by Kimmel, as “The best Oscars in a decade,” a sentiment that was shared by Kotb."

During Sunday's ceremony, Kotb kept fans updated on her Oscars viewing experience aboard an airplane through Instagram. She posted screenshots of Jamie Lee Curtis presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress to Da'Vine Joy Randolph from The Holdovers, expressing how personal the Oscars felt.

Kotb also shared a photo of John Cena delivering a funny almost nude speech, which had everyone on the plane laughing. She captioned the snap, "THIS! Hahaha @johncena the plane was giggling! 'Costumes are really important.'"

Kotb had a positive experience with Jet Blue airline workers at the airport. She mentioned how Andrea at the Jet Blue gate was calm, cool, and kind during a stressful situation with delayed flights. Kotb expressed her gratitude towards Andrea for making her experience much better.

Editor's P/S:

The 2024 Oscars ceremony was a memorable event, and Hoda Kotb's unique perspective as a first-time viewer added a fresh dimension to the experience. Kotb's observations about the personal and heartfelt speeches, particularly Jamie Lee Curtis's emotional reaction, highlighted the genuine connections between the attendees. The unexpected humor provided by John Cena's near-naked presentation and Ryan Gosling's energetic performance brought a sense of levity to the occasion.

Kotb's appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts of JetBlue employees, particularly Andrea, showcases the significance of kindness and professionalism in enhancing the overall experience. Her positive interactions with the airline staff, despite the stressful situation, underscore the importance of human connection and the ability to make even challenging circumstances more bearable. unexpected situations more bearable. Hoda's account of the Oscars provides a glimpse into the personal experiences of celebrities and the emotional impact of the event, making it a memorable and relatable read.