Scarlett Johansson to Guest Co-Host ‘Today with Jenna & Friends’

Scarlett Johansson is set to join Jenna Bush Hager as a guest co-host on ‘Today with Jenna & Friends,’ beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. The announcement was made by Bush Hager during an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, where she expressed her excitement about the collaboration.

‘Scarlett Johansson is the queen! First of all, I’ve been obsessed with her movies since forever. The Girl with a Pearl Earring, I mean that shows you I’m a nerd who loves to read,’ Bush Hager, 43, said. ‘She’s also a big reader, which will be so much fun. We have so much in common.’

Both Bush Hager and Johansson share a love for literature, have twin siblings, and are mothers to daughters of similar ages. Bush Hager’s eldest daughter, Mila, is 11, while Johansson’s daughter, Rose, is 10.

‘It’s just a wild dream. But that’s what I’m saying, the fact that she’s coming to give us a week of her time, she could be doing anything, is a testament to the show that we have built. So I am beyond thrilled. I cannot wait,’ Bush Hager added. ‘We’ve never seen Scarlett Johansson host a daytime show before!’

During the Jan. 7 broadcast, Bush Hager teased that the show has ‘so many fun things planned’ with Johansson. Hoda Kotb, who is preparing to exit the show, also praised Johansson’s potential as a co-host. ‘First of all, you guys had a great click. She is an awesome person,’ Kotb said. ‘And right away, I still remember, right when she was here, you were like, ‘Can she do it?’ You know when you know someone’s gonna be good at something?’

‘Today with Jenna & Friends’ is scheduled to premiere on Jan. 13, following Kotb’s departure on Jan. 10. A rotating list of celebrities, including Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, and Eva Longoria, will step in to take Kotb’s place until Johansson takes over.

Bush Hager described the new show as a ‘total representation of who watches our show and something for every viewer.’ However, she admitted that Kotb’s departure feels ‘bittersweet.’ ‘I adore Hoda. She’s the best partner. She’s been the most generous partner, and we are truly really great friends, so the thought of her not being here is almost too much to bear,’ Bush Hager said.

In the week leading up to Kotb’s departure, ‘Today’ is putting on a series of celebrations in her honor, culminating in one final, live show on Jan. 10 in Rockefeller Center‘s Studio 8G. ‘Obviously, I’ve had months to wrap my head around it, although I cannot promise that our last Hoda-bration won’t also be filled with tears. I’m sure it will be just because I can’t help it,’ Bush Hager said. ‘I’m excited and nervous and thrilled, and I’m also really, really going to miss Hoda.’

‘Today’ airs weekdays, beginning at 7 a.m. ET, on NBC.