Today’ meteorologist Dylan Dreyer exclusively tells Us Weekly how she found out Hoda Kotb was leaving the show

“I was like, ‘Are they forcing you out?’ She’s like, ‘No Craig, I’m OK. I’m leaving,’” he recalled. “I was legit stunned, so much so that after she left, I went back to her dressing room, and I was like, ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ It takes a certain kind of courage to leave anything when you’re at the height of your game.”

Hoda Kotb had a heartfelt reunion with Mindy Shore and Ben Hebert, whose wedding she officiated on the 'Today' plaza in September 2023. During the show, the couple surprised Kotb with a sweet gift from their wedding day.

The emotional lynchpin of NBC’s morning news show was celebrated by her co-workers and fans like Oprah Winfrey on Friday after 17 years with the network franchise.

It was a “Hoda-bration” at the Today show Friday as Hoda Kotb prepared to exit the long-running NBC show after 17 years. Kotb, who has spent 26 years at NBC News and has co-anchored Today With Hoda & Jenna since 2018,

Hoda Kotb appeared on her final episode of the 'Today' show on Friday, January 10, after announcing her exit in September 2024

Hoda Kotb is saying goodbye to "TODAY," And on the beloved anchor ... in addition to colleagues Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker, Craig Melvin and Jenna Bush Hager. While the Rockefeller Center Plaza was full of its usual early morning guests, this time ...

Hoda Kotb, the co-host of NBC’s “Today,” signed off Friday, ending a nearly two-decade long run with the morning show.

Credit: Elder Ordonez/INSTARimages Al Roker spotted outside the 'Today' show studios for Hoda Kotb's Farewell day.

As Parade previously reported, Kotb's final on-screen appearance in her regular spot on the morning newscast came to a bittersweet end on Friday, Jan. 10, about four months after she first announced she would be leaving the Today show to focus on spending more time with her family. Her esteemed colleague, Craig Melvin, was tapped to replace her.

They will have to come in with boxes and security and say, you're done,' Melvin joked while exclusively chatting with Parade for the Jan. 17 cover story.