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Hoda Kotb admits she was ‘bummed’ when Kelly Rowland walked off ‘Today’ show

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Hoda Kotb was less than thrilled when Kelly Rowland decided to walk off the set of the “Today” show — but she’s hoping for a second chance.

“I was bummed. I love Kelly. We love Kelly,” the co-anchor told “Entertainment Tonight” at Savannah Guthrie’s book launch party for “Mostly What God Does” Wednesday night.

“She’s one of our all-time faves, and there’s no one who’s more gracious or graceful than Kelly.”

hoda kotb
Hoda Kotb admitted she was “bummed” when Kelly Rowland walked off the set of the “Today” show. NBC
kelly rowland posing at "one love" premiere
“We’ve been texting back and forth and I gave her a call,” Kotb explained. “I said, ‘Come on, girl. We’re waiting. We’ll do a re-do.’ So, hopefully we’ll do a re-do.” FilmMagic

Kotb, 59, revealed she’s been texting the former Destiny’s Child singer in the hopes that Rowland, 43, will give the NBC crew a do-over.

“We’ve been texting back and forth and I gave her a call,” Kotb explained. “I said, ‘Come on, girl. We’re waiting. We’ll do a re-do.’ So, hopefully we’ll do a re-do.”

Kotb’s third-hour co-host, Jenna Bush Hager, admitted the dilapidated dressing rooms could use a renovation.

hoda kotb sitting in a cramped dressing room
Kotb’s third-hour co-anchor, Jenna Bush Hager, revealed she’s going to have the dressing rooms re-wallpapered. NBC

“We decided we’re gonna re-wallpaper them ’cause I like interior design, so I’ve taken over,” Hager revealed, to which Kotb responded with, “Look, we can confess our dressing rooms are not the greatest.”

The children’s book author even poked fun at Hager’s space, admitting that it’s “a closet.”

hoda kotb sitting in a tiny office space surrounded by junk on a desk
“It’s incredible and it’s iconic, but it’s old… You get the good with the bad… If you want history, sometimes you’re gonna have a few little chips of paint coming off the wall,” Savannah Guthrie added of the rooms. NBC

“But it’s kind of the charm of the ‘Today show,” Kotb continued. “If you’ve ever been backstage [on] Broadway and gone to one of those dressing rooms, you’re like in these tiny rooms for months and months. That’s kind of what the ‘Today’ show is like.

“You walk around and it’s such a beautiful place, but there’s tiny little spaces.”


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hoda kotb sitting opposite kelly rowland on the "today" show
The former Destiny’s Child singer hasn’t addressed the incident. TODAY/NBC

Guthrie, 52, praised the “historic studio” but also admitted that the space needs an upgrade.

“It’s incredible and it’s iconic, but it’s old… You get the good with the bad… If you want history, sometimes you’re gonna have a few little chips of paint coming off the wall,” she told the outlet.

“We try to do our best.”

hoda kotb and rita ora walking out ont to the "Today" show set
Rita Ora ultimately filled in for the “Survivor” singer as co-host after she left. Instagram/@ritaora

After the “Independent Woman” singer unceremoniously left the morning show, in which she was expected to fill in for Guthrie, singer Rita Ora stepped in at the last minute.

A few days later, Kotb told the morning show’s viewers that she wanted Rowland to come back and even offered the “Mea Culpa’ star her dressing room.

While Rowland hasn’t directly addressed the drama, her rep released a statement praising the the singer-actress.

“After 28 years of knowing her, Kelly Rowland remains one of the kindest, most amiable humans I have ever met and have had the blessing to represent,” Yvette Noel-Schure told “Entertainment Tonight” Tuesday.

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