Hoda Kotb on ‘list' to take over Kelly Clarkson's talk show after ‘Today' exit

Yahoo

2 days ago

Hoda Kotb is being considered as a potential candidate to replace Kelly Clarkson amid rumors that the singer is exiting her eponymous NBC talk show.
Kotb, who exited the 'Today' show in January, is on the network's list of names being thrown around as Clarkson's successor, an NBC insider exclusively told The Post Thursday.
'There's a long list of names and Hoda is part of that list,' the source said, adding, 'NBC never wanted Hoda to leave. The question is, would Hoda want to do it?'
The insider claimed that NBC executives ideally want to replace Clarkson with someone who already has a fanbase and has a diverse background.
'Hoda ticks a lot of boxes. She's an Egyptian, older Kelly Clarkson,' the source said.
The Post reported that 60-year-old Kotb, who had been with the network for more than two decades, is well-liked by the higher-ups and already has close relationships with executives.
Meanwhile, Clarkson's contract expires next year — paving the way for a new host to take over if the 'Since You've Been Gone' singer resigns.
It's unclear whether Clarkson will depart from her hosting gig, but her decision may fall on the success of her forthcoming ninth studio album, as well as her Las Vegas residency, both debuting this summer.
'If the album doesn't do well, she might want to keep her talk show,' the source explained. 'But she has a lot going on and the timing may be right for the next chapter.'
While the insider did not share all the names being discussed as a replacement option, another source told The Post that Maria Shriver could also be in the running.
Last month, Page Six exclusively reported that the 'American Idol' winner was looking to give up the anchor chair, leaving executives scrambling for a replacement.
Rumors of Clarkson's plans to quit began swirling after she was absent from her show for nearly two weeks due to a 'personal matter.'
Multiple sources told us at the time that Clarkson, 43, was ready to step away from her talk show, which debuted in 2019, to spend more time with her two kids: River Rose, 10, and son Remy, 8.
'Kelly's number one priority is her children, and they always will be,' an industry insider told us. 'The show is grueling. It's a whole lot of work, and I hear that Kelly would like to spend more time down South.'
Clarkson, who hails from Texas and moved from Los Angeles to New York, returned to her show for her 1,000th episode, only to admit to viewers that she has felt 'alone.'
The pop star's TV program has earned 22 Daytime Emmys and an average of 1.2 million viewers per day in the 2024-2025 season.
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