The ‘Today’ Show Hosts Embrace Musical Legends for their 2023 Halloween Costumes
The hosts of the 'Today' show celebrate Halloween in style, transforming into iconic music stars from the past and present Prepare to be amazed as they pay homage to legendary artists with their elaborate costumes and entertaining performances
Celebrate Halloween with the Today show hosts as they carry on their beloved tradition of donning intricate and coordinated costumes. This year, in 2023, the group embraced a "Kellyoke" theme to pay homage to Kelly Clarkson's relocation of her talk show from Los Angeles to New York City. Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb successfully embodied Sonny Bono and Cher as a dynamic duo, while Al Roker transformed into Lionel Richie. Not to be outdone, Savannah Guthrie fully embraced the role of Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour.
Last year, the anchors found inspiration for their Halloween costumes in Las Vegas. Roker dressed up as the late Sammy Davis Jr., while Kotb and Guthrie wore unitards inspired by Cirque du Soleil. Bush Hager took on the role of Vegas regular Celine Dion, and Peter Alexander and Kristen Welker went as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, respectively. (Affleck, 51, and Lopez, 54, got married in Las Vegas in July 2022 and had a second celebration with their loved ones a month later.)
Due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike, many celebrities were encouraged to showcase their creativity this year. The union recently released guidelines on how striking actors could celebrate Halloween without engaging in activities that breach the picket line.
The official SAG-AFTRA strike website shared a notice on October 18, providing members with helpful tips on Halloween costumes to ensure they don't unintentionally violate strike rules. Actors are encouraged to dress up as characters from non-struck content, such as animated TV shows. However, they were advised against posting photos of costumes inspired by struck content on social media. Have a spooktacular Halloween!
Megan Fox faced criticism for appearing to violate the rules with her Gogo Yubari costume, which she shared on Instagram on October 28th. The 37-year-old actress dressed up as Chiaki Kuriyama's character from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1, while her fiancée, Machine Gun Kelly, wore an ensemble inspired by Uma Thurman's Beatrix Kiddo character.
In the caption of her post, Fox mentioned the official Instagram account of SAG-AFTRA.
One day later, Lisa Ann Walter, the star of Abbott Elementary, criticized Fox for disregarding regulations. In a tweet on Sunday, October 29, the 60-year-old actress wrote, "What a rebel. Keep focusing on meaningless issues, attractive lady. Meanwhile, we will be dedicating 10 unpaid hours a day to ensure fair contracts for basic earners." Check out more photos of the Today hosts' Halloween costumes in 2023 as you continue scrolling.
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
‘Today’ Show Hosts Channel Music Icons Past and Present for Their 2023 Halloween Costumes
It’s finally Halloween, which means it’s time for the hosts of the Today show to continue their tradition of dressing in elaborate, coordinated costumes.
In 2023, the group decided to pay tribute to music legends by dressing up as famous music superstars for their Halloween costumes. They chose a "Kellyoke" theme, in honor of Kelly Clarkson relocating her talk show from Los Angeles to New York City. Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb teamed up to dress as Sonny Bono and Cher, while Al Roker dressed as Lionel Richie. Savannah Guthrie went all out by portraying Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour.
In the previous year, the anchors found their Halloween inspiration in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Roker chose to dress as the late Sammy Davis Jr., while Kotb and Guthrie opted for Cirque du Soleil-inspired unitards. Bush Hager transformed herself into the iconic Celine Dion, who is a staple in the Vegas entertainment scene. Peter Alexander and Kristen Welker took on the personas of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, respectively. (Affleck, 51, and Lopez, 54, got married in Las Vegas in July 2022, followed by a second ceremony with their loved ones a month later.)
Due to the ongoing Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike, numerous celebrities were urged to showcase their creativity this year. In response, the union recently provided guidelines on how actors on strike could participate in Halloween while respecting the picket line. The official SAG-AFTRA strike website shared a notice on October 18, offering quick tips on costume dos and don'ts to ensure members do not unintentionally violate strike rules. Take a look at the guidelines and have a frightfully enjoyable Halloween!
Actors are allowed to dress up as characters from non-struck content, such as an animated TV show. However, they were advised against sharing photos of costumes inspired by struck content on social media.
Megan Fox faced backlash for potentially violating the rules by dressing as Gogo Yubari, a character from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1. She documented her costume via Instagram on Saturday, October 28. Fox's fiancée, Machine Gun Kelly, also wore an outfit inspired by Uma Thurman's Beatrix Kiddo character.
Fox tagged the official Instagram account of SAG-AFTRA in her post caption. Soon after, Lisa Ann Walter, star of Abbott Elementary, criticized Fox for disregarding the rules. On Sunday, October 29, Walter, who is 60, tweeted, "What a rebel. Keep up the show for trivial matters, beautiful lady. Meanwhile, we'll be working 10 hours a day, without pay, to secure a fair agreement for contract earners."
Keep scrolling for more photos of the Today hosts’ 2023 Halloween costumes:
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
Hands Touching Hands
Carson Daly’s costume was inspired by Neil Diamond.
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She's Coming Out
Sheinelle Jones dressed as the iconic Diana Ross.
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Hello, Is It Al You’re Looking For?
The weatherman channeled Richie in the 1980s. “Who doesn’t love Lionel Richie?” Roker said. “He’s a soundtrack. He’s still playing those songs.”
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
They’ve Got You, Babe
Kotb dressed as Cher, while her cohost Bush Hager went as Cher’s ex-husband Bono.
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
Can't Touch This
Craig Melvin chose to dress as MC Hammer.
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
Life Was a Willow
Guthrie wore an Evermore-inspired cape as a nod to Swift’s Eras Tour.
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In Her Sequins Era
Under the cape, Guthrie wore a sequined leotard designed to look like the outfit Swift wore during the Lover portion of her Eras set.
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Country Heaven
Alexander and Laura Jarrett dressed as Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, respectively.
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
Raise Your Glass
Dylan Dreyer fully committed to her Pink costume.
Credit: John Nacion/Getty Images
Morning Show for a Sushi Restaurant
Willie Geist wore an outfit inspired by Harry Styles.
