Get to Know the 'Today with Jenna & Friends' Guest Hosts (Including Kelsea Ballerini)

Following Hoda Kotb‘s departure from Today, NBC rebranded the fourth hour of the show, which Kotb had co-hosted alongside Jenna Bush Hager, as Today with Jenna & Friends, with Bush Hager welcoming a rotating crop of guest hosts until a permanent one is named.

Kicking things off in early January, the Today star told fans to expect a “month of wonder women,” revealing that her starting lineup of guests included Taraji P. Henson, Eva Longoria, Keke Palmer and Michelle Buteau. She then welcomed Scarlett Johansson for all of Week 2, and revealed on Jan. 23 that Week 3 would be stacked with artists Kelsea Ballerini, Jordin Sparks, Ciara and Wynonna Judd.

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“It’s a whole celebration of music,” fourth hour executive producer Talia Parkinson-Jones told People. “The Grammys is the following weekend, and we’ve tailored all the content to [the hosts].”

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Keep reading for a complete list of past and upcoming Today with Jenna & Friends guest hosts (so far): 

Who are the Today with Jenna & Friends guest co-hosts?

Week 3 (Jan. 27-31)

Kelsea Ballerini

Hosting Monday, Jan. 27

The country superstar, who just launched her first arena tour on Jan. 21, will take a break from the stage to join Bush Hager at the Today desk. 

Jordin Sparks

Hosting Tuesday, Jan. 28

Sparks burst onto the scene after winning the sixth season of American Idol in 2007, when she was 17 years old. She’s since added “actress, entrepreneur and activist” to her resume. But with any luck, she’ll share her famous pipes when she joins Bush Hager on Today. 

Ciara

Hosting Wednesday, Jan. 29

The “I Bet” singer, whose fourth child just turned 1 in December 2024, will join the fourth hour twice this week, including the final episode airing just ahead of the Grammys (see below). 

Wynonna Judd

Hosting Thursday, Jan. 30

The country legend will step up as co-host, temporarily filling the shoes of someone she so respected. “Oh @hodakotb, what a light you are,” she wrote on Instagram when the storied host exited the show. “Thank you for making space for myself and so many others. Wishing you all the health and happiness on your next journey 💛”

Ciara (again!) 

Hosting Friday, Jan. 31

Related: Jenna Bush Hager Makes Candid Confession About How Dad George W. Bush ‘Embarrasses’ Her

Week 2

Scarlett Johannson

Hosted all of Week 2, from Tuesday, Jan. 21 to Friday, Jan. 24

Not surprisingly, the Oscar-nominated actress was a huge hit on the show, so much so that fans have been begging her to come back. 

Even Bush Hager joked that she needed a Sharpie to cross out the “friends” in Jenna & Friends, suggesting that the show’s new title should be Today With Jenna & Scarlett.

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Related: Jenna Bush Hager Reveals If More Kids Are in Her Future, Gets Real About Parenting (Exclusive)

Week 1

Taraji P. Henson

Hosted Monday, Jan. 13

Henson twinned with Bush Hager as the first Jenna & Friends guest host on Jan. 13. The Oscar-nominated actress returned at the end of the week, too. 

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Eva Longoria

Hosted Tuesday, Jan. 14

The Desperate Housewives alum and noted activist took on a serious subject matter when she guested on Today, discussing the California fires and how people can help those affected. 

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Keke Palmer 

Hosted Wednesday, Jan. 15

On her turn as guest host, actress Keke Palmer put the spotlight on her organization “Saving Our Cinderellas,” which is part of “Saving Our Daughters,” a nonprofit that provides resources and support to young girls. The initiative was inspired by her role as the first Black Cinderella on Broadway.

Michelle Buteau

Hosted Thursday, Jan. 16

Comedian Michelle Buteau, who you may know as host of Netflix’s The Circle—or for her role in Babes or for her standup or for her memoir Survival of the Thickest (take your pick!)—brought the funny to Today.

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Taraji P. Henson (again!)

Hosted Friday, Jan. 17

Related: What It Was Like Inside Hoda Kotb’s Last Day on the ’Today’ Show (Exclusive)