TODAY host Hoda Kotb recently broke down in tears during a live television segment after an onscreen interview struck an especially emotional chord for the seasoned TV personality.
In response to the vulnerable moment, Kotb has been showered with an outpouring of love and support from her fans and other people online who can certainly sympathize with the host during these incredibly difficult times.
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On Friday, Kotb was interviewing New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees about the impact the recent outbreak has had on the city.
According to TODAY , the pro football player has recently pledged to donate $5 million towards Lousiana’s coronavirus response, which will help feed residents during the current health crisis.
Louisiana certainly has not been spared by the virus that is rapidly spreading throughout the country.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health , the state has a total of 3,315 confirmed cases, with 927 of those patients battling the virus in hospitals on ventilators and 137 deaths reported.
Kotb, who has previously worked as a TV host in New Orleans, said she is “heartbroken” that locals are suffering right now.
“There’s such a need,” she told Brees during their interview. “They need hospital equipment, they need all kinds of stuff. And all of a sudden on my Twitter feed yesterday, I looked and it said $5 million and Drew Brees, and I said, ‘Oh! He came through again!'”
Later in the interview, the host said she believes gestures like Brees’ will encourage others to follow suit.
“I also think a lot of things are contagious, including generosity,” she later said. “So, our hope is, is that because you let us know that you made this big, generous donation, I think other people look and say, ‘Hey, maybe I can help out, too.'”
At the end of the interview, Kotb became emotional while attempting to deliver a tease of what’s to come on the morning show.
Breaking down in tears, she managed to say, “I’m sorry” before taking a moment to shuffle some papers and collect herself.
Fellow *TODAY* host Savannah Guthrie, who was broadcasting from home that day, sympathized with Kotb.
“Hoda, I know it’s a lot,” she said on the air. “Hoda, I’m so sorry, hon. Take a moment. It’s a lot. I know where your heart is, my dear, I do.”
Guthrie eventually offered to read the tease, which Kotb gratefully accepted.
The *TODAY Show_ shared the clip of Kotb’s teary interview on Twitter with the caption, “We love you, Hoda.”
In less than 24 hours, the video had received over 46,000 likes and had been shared more than 6,000 times.
In response to Kotb’s vulnerable on-air moment, the people of the internet have reached out in the comment section to express their support for the host.
“I love that Hoda showed her emotions,” this user wrote. “There is only so much people can take reporting this day after day. She cried for all of us.”
WNBC weatherman Dave Price added , “We are all in this together. When one hurts, we all hurt. Where light shines, it shines upon each of us. Let goodness be the contagion that spreads.”
Many users could relate to Kotb’s emotional state, particularly given the crisis facing the country and the rest of the world.
“I just cried with Hoda,” this person shared. “I needed to let some tears out. Thank you.”
Someone else added, “It’s comforting to see others feeling just how I’m feeling. Random tears at random moments. Thank you for being real, @hodakotb.”
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Information about the coronavirus pandemic is rapidly changing and Diply is committed to providing the most recent data as it becomes available. Some of the information in this story may have changed since publication, and we encourage readers to use online resources from CDC and WHO to stay up to date on the latest information surrounding COVID-19.
h/t: TODAY
