Jenna Bush Hager Shares Her Secrets to Successful Matchmaking for 'Today' Cohost Hoda Kotb

Jenna Bush Hager Reveals How Shes Setting Up Cohost Hoda Kotb on Dates

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Jenna Bush Hager is playing matchmaker and assisting Hoda Kotb in her quest for love. She shared her successful method for setting people up on NBC’s Today with Hoda & Jenna. "I have a good method for hooking people up," Bush Hager, 42, revealed on the show. "Here it is... and I’m currently using it with a good friend of mine."

Bush Hager then shared that her friend was wearing a white starch shirt, coincidentally the same as Kotb's outfit.

Kotb burst into laughter and jokingly touched her own shirt while the camera focused on her smiling face.

"So, here's a tip from Bush Hager: Instead of asking the same people for matchmaking suggestions, try stepping outside your usual circle. This way, you can avoid hearing the same names over and over again."

Bush Hager shared her own successful experience of setting up Libby Leist, the executive vice president of Today and NBC News, with her now-husband, Sayan Ray. She reached out to a diverse group of friends for suggestions, including her sister in graduate school, a friend who had recently moved to Connecticut, and another friend who had just left the city. And it worked - one of her friends had a great match for Libby. So, remember to broaden your horizons when seeking matchmaking advice.

Kotb agreed and mentioned that she believed this was the important factor in meeting someone.

She added, "If you keep going to the same places and seeing the same people, you might end up feeling like you don't know anyone at work or have any friends."

Bush Hager shared that she was feeling frustrated. Previously, she had been trying to set up her coworker with someone in Manhattan. However, no one she asked could think of a good match for Kotb.

Kotb shared that it became boring because people would say, “There’s nobody in New York to set her up with.” Hearing this, Kotb sarcastically repeated, “Nobody in New York.”

Bush Hager disagreed with the statement and revealed that she had found Kotbe a match. She exclaimed, "Guess what? There are people!"

Although Bush Hager did not reveal the identity of the mystery man, Kotb expressed gratitude that her coanchor had made the effort to set her up on a date when others had stopped trying.

She declared, "You're really good at playing matchmaker, just so you know."

This isn't the first time the Today star has talked openly about her romantic life. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this month, she shared with host Kelly Clarkson that she had been on a date.

The other day, something happened that hasn't occurred in two years," Kotb shared on the episode. "I went on a date! Yes, a date." Kotb was happy to share that she reentered the dating scene, but she made it clear that it was just a casual date, nothing more.

Kotb recently shared updates about her romantic life, following her decision to end her engagement with Joel Schiffman two years ago. The couple, who had been together for eight years, have two daughters named Haley, 7, and Hope, 4.

During an episode of Today With Hoda & Jenna in January 2022, Kotb announced their split, explaining that after heartfelt conversations during the holidays, they realized they are better off as friends and co-parents than as a engaged couple. They have chosen to start the new year focusing on their roles as loving parents to their wonderful children and as friends.

Editor's P/S:

Jenna Bush Hager's approach to matchmaking is both innovative and effective. By expanding the pool of potential candidates beyond immediate circles, she enhances the chances of finding compatible matches. This strategy challenges the conventional wisdom that relies on known connections and encourages a more diverse and inclusive approach.