Trevor Noah Dishes Advice To Hoda Kotb as She Prepares To Leave “Today” Show
Trevor Noah knows a thing or two about big changes, and he had some touching advice for Hoda Kotb as she prepares to leave the Today show after 17 years. During his appearance on the October 7 episode of Today, the former Daily Show host opened up about how he handled his own departure from the show that made him a household name.
The moment started with some playful banter when Hoda, 60, asked Trevor, 40, about leaving The Daily Show. With a smile, he asked, “Are you asking me this because you’re leaving now?” to which Hoda teased, “I’m here to excavate…”
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda’s co-host, chimed in, laughing, “Is this an interview or a therapy session?”
Behind the jokes, there was real wisdom in Noah’s words. He admitted that change often comes with a period of deep reflection.
Trevor talked about how much he missed parts of his Daily Show routine, saying, “I miss many moments at The Daily Show. I miss the people and I miss the idea. I miss the routine, but it’s that old adage: You have to let go of something old to hold on to something new.”
He explained that even though there were things he wished he could have held onto, the gradual shift allowed him to discover new parts of himself. This soul-searching is something Trevor believes Hoda will also go through as she embarks on her next chapter. His key piece of advice? “Don’t jump into everything else on the other side.”
Trevor admitted that after leaving The Daily Show, he initially made the mistake of diving headfirst into new projects. “…I found a nice cadence and different rhythm where I don’t have the same push anymore but it’s nice. It’s a different type of feeling.”
Hoda, who announced her decision to leave Today last month, shared her own thoughts on the big move. In a heartfelt letter to NBC staffers, she wrote, “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.”
In her emotional on-air announcement, Hoda was joined by her Today colleagues Al Roker, Jenna Bush Hager, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones, and Savannah Guthrie, all offering their support.
Reflecting on her decision, Hoda shared in this week’s PEOPLE cover story that she had been contemplating her future for a while, especially after turning 60. “I’ve kind of been contemplating, wondering, thinking about what I wanted this next chunk of my life to look like as I turned 60. And I like adventure, I like new beginnings. I’m a sunrise person and not a sunset person, and I was wondering, what does it look like for me?” she stated.
Hoda also opened up about how her daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, played a big role in her decision. “…I’ve been watching my kids and I was thinking to myself, I wonder what I’m missing?” she said, acknowledging that, although staying at NBC was the safer, more secure option, it was time for her to embrace something new.
